Have you ever felt like you and your husband just aren’t communicating? Maybe you can’t seem to find the right words to express yourself. Maybe one or both of you get very angry during conversations. Or perhaps you struggle to let go of past hurts, and they keep showing up in your present discussions.
If this is you, it’s time to pray over your marriage communication.
Pray for the ability to communicate wisely, share your concerns without blame or judgement, listen and understand each other
Living with someone day in and day out, someone who sees the world differently, processes emotions differently, and reacts to life differently, is not always easy. Your husband will do things that get under your skin. It’s part of sharing life so closely. But when you’re tired, overstimulated, or overwhelmed, even the little things can begin to feel big. Irritation grows, and before long, it can turn into contempt. And contempt doesn’t stay quiet for long.
It spills into our words, sarcasm, criticism, cutting remarks. Sometimes, we don’t even notice it happening. Over time, our words start to label our husbands: lazy, selfish, slow, annoying. The dangerous thing is, if he hears it long enough, he may start to believe it.
“In your anger do not sin…” Ephesians 4:26
God cares deeply about the way we speak to each other.
“The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.” Proverbs 18:21 (NIV)
These prayers will help you invite God into your communication, heal the places that have been hurt, and replace words that wound with words that build up.
And if you’d like to take it a step further, check out our 21-Day Guided Prayer Journal for Marriage Communication, a simple daily guide to help you pray more intentionally, listen more openly, and speak life into your marriage
A Prayer for Stronger Marriage Communication
Dear Lord,
Please teach us how to communicate in a way that builds a strong and healthy marriage. Show us where we have sinned in the way we speak to and address each other, so that we can repent and turn away from those habits.
Help us overcome habits of blaming one another when we need to share our concerns, angry outbursts, judging, and criticizing each other. Where there is dishonesty, convict our hearts and help us to remain truthful with each other.
Give us self-control in our speech so we don’t speak careless words that wound our marriage. Help us be patient, quick to listen, and slow to speak or become angry (James 1:19). Teach us to be restrained in our words and to know when to speak and when to stay silent. Before we confront one another, remind us to bring every issue to You first.
Help us express our concerns in ways that honor and respect each other. Give us the right words and the right approach so that we may be heard and understood.
Teach us to use our words to build intimacy and keep our conversations engaging. Guard our thoughts toward one another, knowing that our words flow from what we dwell on in our hearts. May we use our words to encourage, appreciate, and build each other up. And may our love be shown not only in words but in actions as well.
In Jesus’s name, Amen.
21 Guided Prayer Journal For Communication in Marriage:
A prayer journal with prompts to help you pray for communication in your marriage.
What does God say about marriage?
The Bible gives us clear wisdom on how to speak to one another. While these verses may not be written only for married couples, they apply to every Christian, and they are powerful guides for how we communicate in marriage.
“My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry” James 1:19 NIV
Dear Lord, please help us be keen listeners who understand each other when communicating in our marriage. Let us be slow to speak and slow to become angry (James 1:19). Help us prioritize each other when we need to talk and listen with empathy. Give us wisdom to have the right words to respond, and let us use helpful words to build each other up.
“Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.” Colossians 4:6 NIV
Dear Lord, please teach us how to communicate with each other in marriage. Show us where we lack communication skills and help us learn. Give us the patience to listen keenly and give each other time to talk. Give us the right words at the right time, and let us know when to keep quiet. Help us be genuinely interested in each other and make us both interesting and captivating. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
“The Lord detests lying lips, but he delights in people who are trustworthy.” Proverbs 12:22 NIV
Heavenly Father, please help my spouse, and I remain open and honest in our marriage. Forgive us for the times we have been dishonest to each other, and help us take responsibility for our actions no matter how difficult the conversation. Teach us how to communicate our needs and concerns honestly and help us be open with each other. Help us confess our sins and pray for one another that we may be healed. Destroy any relationships that may lead us to lie or be unfaithful to each other and help us remain loyal and faithful in Jesus’ name, Amen.
“a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak,” Ecclesiastes 3:7 NIV
Dear Lord, please teach us to know when to speak and when to keep quiet. Let us understand each other and have the right words for every occasion. Give us self-control so that we don’t speak words carelessly or hurt each other. Help us identify triggers and give us the strength to overcome them. Let us not be too critical but look to each other’s good side, encouraging and supporting each other. When we do need to point out mistakes, please give us the right words and hold us back from speaking out the wrong ones. I pray that when the Holy Spirit reminds us to keep quiet, we will obey and hold our tongues in Jesus’ name, I pray.
“Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful.” 2 Timothy 2:23-24 NIV
Dear Lord, please teach us how to resolve conflict in our marriage. Help us be willing to take responsibility for our mistakes and apologise to each other. Where we are mean, proud, inconsiderate, or selfish, please help us change our ways. Let us be willing to forgive each other quickly and put our differences aside for the good of our marriage. Give us the right words to resolve issues, and let us both feel heard. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” Ephesians 4:29 NIV
Dear Lord, please give us discernment to identify the kind of people and conversations that are a risk to our marriage. Let us not involve ourselves in irrelevant babble that leads to ungodliness (2 Tim 2:16). Let us not gossip, slander each other, or divulge our family matters outside because of a lack of self-control. Help us guard our mouths and restrain our words. Forgive us where we have had inappropriate conversations and destroy any relationships that lead us to sin. Let us not flirt with people outside our marriage or entertain conversations that would be deemed inappropriate. Help us respect each other even when we are away from each other, and develop appropriate boundaries in our communication within and outside our marriage in Jesus’ name, Amen.
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.” Corinthians 13:4-5 NIV
Heavenly Father, please forgive me for the times I have judged my spouse or thought myself better than them. Show me where I am proud and self-righteous, and help me be humble and empathetic. Let me be open to seeing things from my spouse’s perspective without judging and instead help me be willing to understand. Help me accept my spouse the way You do, and let me be more appreciative than critical. In cases where I need to disagree, please give me the right words. Help me be patient and kind when expressing my concerns and let my spouse give me a listening and empathetic ear. I pray that our disagreements will not cause a rift but that we will communicate with love, respect, and empathy in all situations. In Jesus, name, Amen.
“But the things that come out of a person’s mouth come from the heart, and these defile them.” Matthew 15:18 NIV
Dear Lord, I pray that you analyze my heart and show me where I harbor unhealthy thoughts and feelings about my marriage. Help me not to focus on my fears about marriage and instead submit them to you. Let me think about good and healthy things and overcome any resentment and unhealthy expectations. I also submit my spouse’s thoughts, life, and feelings and ask that you remove unhealthy thought patterns that work against our marriage. Help us put our trust in You and come to You with all our needs in Jesus, name.
“The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.” Proverbs 12:18 NIV
Dear Lord, please help us to support each other in every season of our lives. Help us be observant and identify when either of us is not in a good place. Let us not run or cower when difficult situations come, but instead stand together as one. Teach us how to pray and help us remain consistent in prayer all our lives. Give us the right words to encourage each other and help us appreciate each others support in Jesus’ name, Amen
“Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.” Proverbs 16:24 NIV
Dear Lord, please help us remember to be grateful to each other in our marriage. Help us remember to say thank you in our daily routine and not take each other for granted. Teach us how to affirm each other and let us feel appreciated, accepted and worthy in our roles. Whenever either of us feels discouraged, please give us discernment and help us pray for one another in Jesus name, Amen.
