David’s reply to King Saul in 1 Samuel 26:23 makes it clear that God rewards faithfulness and righteousness. One of the keys to faithfulness and righteousness is prayer. The more we pray, the closer we get to God. The closer we get to God, the more He reveals areas in our lives we need to address.

In a marriage, prayer is essential - for ourselves and our spouses - even when it is uncomfortable. Jesus said about the Holy Spirit, “And when he comes, he will convict the world of its sin, and of God’s righteousness, and of the coming judgment” (John 16:8). If you love your spouse, you will pray for the specific work of the Holy Spirit in his or her life. Pray that He will effect a deep sense of guilt for sin, a genuine awareness of what it means to be right, and an understanding of the reality of judgment to come.

Such praying is in keeping with what we know to be the work of the Holy Spirit. You might also pray for the same power for yourself. Often, if one spouse is willing to deal with his or her own failures, the other spouse will do the same. There can be no reconciliation without repentance.

Take some time to pray individually or as a couple. Thank God that when we sincerely ask His forgiveness. He always gives it. Ask Him to convict you of areas in your life that need confession and forgiveness. Ask Him to make you an instrument of forgiveness in your spouse’s life.

Discuss and reflect on these questions:

Why is it important to be convicted of one’s sin?

What keeps people from experiencing guilt?

What can you do to help your spouse address sin in his or her life?

Consider these passages for further study on Prayer:

Job 42:10 When Job prayed for his friends, the Lord restored his fortunes. In fact, the Lord gave him twice as much as before!

Romans 8:26-27 And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example,, we don’t know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words. And the Father who knows all hearts knows what the Spirit is saying, for the Spirit pleads for us believers in harmony with God’s own will.

Ephesians 6:18 Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.

Great thoughts of prayer and encouragement to be reminded and inspired to pray more of Gary Chapman.