Question of the Day

When Kenneth and Gloria started their journey of faith they had questions too—lots of them! So, we've compiled the most frequently asked questions by people like you—people who earnestly desire to find God's answers to the practical, real-life challenges of everyday living. We have a new question every day, so check back often!

How do I stand in the gap for my spouse?
How do I stand in the gap for my spouse?
Add to Favorites

When you’re married, you have the honor of knowing your spouse more intimately than anyone else. This means you know all their good habits and character traits, as well as the not-so-good habits and traits. You also know more about your spouse’s hopes, desires and dreams than most. For all these reasons and more, you have a unique prayer perspective that allows you to effectively stand in the gap for your spouse in prayer.

When you persistently intercede in prayer on behalf of your spouse, it opens the door to bring about deliverance and growth, and it thwarts the enemy’s plans. Here are four keys to help you stand in the gap for your spouse:

  1. Get you off your mind. 
    When it comes to standing in the gap for your spouse, it’s important to get YOU off your mind. Instead, make his welfare, his faith and God moving on him and loving him, the most prominent thing on your mind.
     
  2. Stand on the promises of God.
    Find specific promises from God’s Word that answer the situation for your spouse, and begin praying those scriptures over him. Maybe you’re praying for him to find favor in the workplace or to find his place in ministry. Or maybe you’re praying for him to break free from an addiction or bad habit. Perhaps he needs to know Jesus, and you’re praying for his salvation. Whatever the desired outcome, God has a promise in His Word that you can stand on!
     
  3. Actively speak against the enemy’s designs.
    The enemy has plans to steal, kill and destroy your spouse’s dreams, hopes, desires and the good the things the Lord has planned for him. Jesus said He’s given you the keys of the Kingdom: You have the authority to forbid and permit what happens on earth (Matthew 18:18)! Prohibit, or “bind,” the enemy with your words, and stop him from thwarting the plan of God for your spouse’s life. 
     
  4. Remind God of His Word. 
    The Lord says to put Him in remembrance of His Word (Isaiah 43:26, NKJV) and that it will not return to him void. So, remind God of His Word by speaking it out in faith, and watch Him move heaven and earth to bring it to pass. 

During the process of standing in the gap for your spouse, let God change you. Allow Him to turn you into someone who is so full of the love of Jesus for your spouse that it overflows into every area of your relationship!

Learn more in our blog post Unpacking Intercessory Prayer: What It Is, How It Works and How to Do It.