Preface: I know a lot of married men and I think it’s safe to say that most guys think that marriage is pretty challenging. I’m not trying to be negative here, just being honest. It can be so frustrating and lonely sometimes, and yet it’s the most significant and important human relationship a married man could have. But success as a husband requires humility. This virtue is often overlooked. It’s easy to get caught up thinking about your wife’s shortcomings, but Jesus tells us to forget about the sliver in her eye and remove the log from your own. If you want your marriage to improve, the first place to look is in the mirror.  I wrote this prayer a few years ago and I have found it to be transformative. Husbands, love your wives and pray this prayer… then go out and live it! – BK 

A Husband’s Prayer

O Lord my God, hear my prayer.
Thank you for the gift of [wife’s name], Your beloved daughter.
She is a magnificent gift and I am grateful.

Please help me to become the husband that she deserves.
I want her to be happy.
I want her to feel loved and cherished every day.
I want to see her fully alive, to see her laugh and smile.

Yet I know that my love is imperfect.
I know that sometimes I am insensitive, that I have hurt her.
For these offenses against Your daughter, Lord, I humbly ask for Your forgiveness.
I am the only person who has solemnly promised to care for her in all things.
Therefore, as her husband, any pain that I inflict is the worst kind of pain.
I am sorry for my failures.
Lord, have mercy on me and help me undo any damage I have done to her.

For the times I have not been fair to her in my thoughts, words, or deeds. Have mercy on me.
For the times that my love has been imperfect or selfish or lukewarm. Have mercy on me.
For the times when our children have seen me not love her properly. Have mercy on me.

Heavenly Father, purify my love in the fire of Your heart. feet
Send Your Holy Spirit to inspire and transform me into the best possible husband for Your daughter.
Teach me how to love her better. Teach me how to serve her better.
Teach me how to lovingly accept her flaws as well as her beauty.
Teach me how to give her what You wish me to give her.
Teach me how to accept from her all that she wishes to give me.
Please never let her feel lonely or unappreciated or neglected.

Transform me, Lord – transform both of us!
Please open her heart to accept my love.
Help her to forgive me for any hurts that I have caused.

Renew our marriage with love and laughter.
Bless our love and make it grow,
That YOUR love might shine through us,
A light for each other, our children, relatives, and friends.

All of this I humbly pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.