Creative Ways to Pray for your Spouse
/CARISSA PLUTA
PHOTOGRAPHY: VISUAL GRACE
I imagine myself getting to the adoration chapel for an hour or so and praying perfectly for my husband’s needs.
But in the hustle and bustle of our daily lives, intercessory prayer often falls to the bottom of the list, unless of course, it’s a more urgent intention, in which a decade of the rosary might suffice.
I don’t want to wait until an emergency or crisis arrives to pray for my husband, but carving out time during the day requires me to get more creative with how I do it.
Sacrifice something for him
As Catholics, we believe that our sacrifices and suffering have meaning and can be redemptive.
In Salvifici Doloris, it says: “...Christ has also raised human suffering to the level of the Redemption. Thus each man, in his suffering, can also become a sharer in the redemptive suffering of Christ.”
Intentionally making a sacrifice, especially on behalf of another, can bring forth many graces in that person’s life.
You might consider picking a day where you will offer something up specifically for your spouse. You can start small--maybe by giving up dessert, social media, or breakfast.
Pray for him as you do chores
My husband and I split up the daily duties and responsibilities in our house, and I’ve found that I can use the time I spend doing them for prayer. You can choose a traditional form of prayer to do during this time, or offer up this valuable gift of your time and energy for your partner.
Not only can you offer up your daily work for your spouse, but you can get even more creative by praying for specific things relating to the chores.
For instance, sometimes when I fold laundry, I can pray for the bodily health and needs of my husband. Or when I am cleaning up after dinner, I can pray for his spiritual nourishment.
You make a gift of yourself to your spouse and to God when you do your duties joyfully, and combining work and prayer can produce so much fruit in your life, your husband’s life, and in your marriage.
Create a spiritual bouquet
A spiritual bouquet is a collection of prayers and offerings from an individual or group for someone else.
Not only does a spiritual bouquet make a thoughtful gift for your spouse, but it also offers you an intentional way to pray and offer sacrifices for his’ intentions.
You can do this alone or you can invite friends and other loved ones to contribute. Make a note of how and when you pray for him during the week and then gift him with the note so he has a visual representation of the prayers you offered for him.
