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Who Is Your Ultimate Prayer Partner? Part 1

ByKimberly McLagan
The sun setting on a field of grain. Scripture overlay from 1 John 5:14-15 from the NIV, ""if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us whatever we ask - we know that we have what we asked of Him."

As you cope with the ups and downs of infertility, having a regular prayer partner is crucial. Having someone come alongside you provides comfort and lightens your load.  When two or more come together in His name, God will be present. (Matthew 18:19-20)

Ideally, you have a built-in prayer partner—your husband. As a source of spiritual intimacy, joint prayer allows you to be in agreement before God as you ask for His intercession with infertility. 

What are your options if praying in one accord with your spouse is not available to you? Let’s chat about it.

Fighting the Infertility Battle as a Team

My second year of infertility prompted a new frontier in my marriage. Maybe this has happened to you.  As I poured through my Bible study, I saw an opportunity to share the latest pearls of wisdom I had discovered with my husband. 

“Brian, would you listen to some verses that struck me?” I read Jesus’ words to him,

…I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in Heaven. For where two or three gather in my name, there I am with them.         Matthew 18:19-20 NIV

He did not react. I continued: 

Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up.  But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up... though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.  Ecclesiastes 4:9-10, 12 NIV

“Brian?  What did you think of that?” I asked boldly. “We’re one flesh before God. We need to be prayer partners about having a baby.”

Brian lowered his book and tactfully explained that he believed prayer was private and did not want it forced upon him.  I knew that if I pushed him, he would move in the opposite direction. He did attend church with me and encouraged me about our ability to conceive. 

Still, I wondered: Is this as good as it gets?

Needing support, I prayed with my mother on the phone. I continued my Bible study and also found a prayer group at church where I received direction:

  • Don’t play ‘Holy Spirit’ and pressure your husband—only God can soften his heart. 
  • Pray for God to work in both your lives and then you’ll see real movement. 
  • The Lord wants you to follow in His footsteps and be a spouse who reflects Jesus’s image.

In my next post, I’ll share God’s answer to my prayers.

You Can Take Time Now to Pray About Having Your Spouse Be Your Prayer Partner

Lord God, I praise you as the Maker of heaven, earth, and all human life. You have designed (say your husband’s name) and me to be of one flesh before You in marriage (Matthew 19:5). Your Scriptures say, “Two are better than one…” (Ecclesiastes 4:9) I pray that You would cultivate our hearts to come before You in prayer together as we seek to have children. I claim Your words that together with You, we might become a cord with three strands that is not quickly broken. (Ecclesiastes 4:12). 

Melt and mold my husband (say your husband's name) and me to grow in our knowledge and trust of You. Shower him with Your grace and bless him. Help me to be a godly wife reflecting the character of Jesus with the fruit of the Spirit residing in me—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Allow my husband to see how You are refining me. 

Make us aware of any sins that may impede our prayers. Until we are bonded in prayer together, surround me with uplifting prayer warriors with whom I can surrender my infertility pain. Thank you for hearing my prayer and answering according to Your will and perfect timing. I ask all this in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Moving Forward …

Ask Yourself This:

Am I lifting up my husband each day to grow in the ‘fruit of the spirit’ as the protector and provider of our home?

Try This Challenge:

Look for specific areas to pray for God to help your husband. For example, his work, finances, affection, temptations, mind, fears, choices, health…I enjoy the prayers in Stormie Omartian’s book The Power of a Praying Wife.

Share this link with a friend who might benefit from this post.

Until next time, peace be with you,

Kimberly

P. S.  As a review, consider re-reading the post, What Steps Do You Take to Draw Close to God Each Day?

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