“Behold, I make all things new.” -Rev 21:5

Do you feel like your marriage is in trouble? Perhaps you or your spouse has been considering divorce. If you are experiencing panic, fear, or heartbreak at the thought of what might happen to your marriage, now more than ever, you need to pray. Alongside your prayer, stay open to the means God gives you to mend the relationship between you and your spouse. God can help you and your spouse move forward to a better future together.

Pray

Prayer in the morning or at night:

Lord, I know that your plan for marriage includes staying together until death. I said my wedding vows with this intention, and I trust that you will help me remain faithful to these words. You created man and woman, and you know how far they fell through original sin. You know well the struggles that spouses experience in this fallen state. But you also know that Christ won for us the graces of redemption. [Enter spouse’s name] and I need your help, Lord. Our marriage is in trouble, and we can’t get through this on our own. We need you to help us and give us what we need to stay together and be happy. Lord, I trust the Holy Spirit to lead us according to your will, and I ask that you help us in every way you can so we may fulfill our wedding vows to stay together for life. Please purge us of sin, heal our wounds, and renew our relationship in love. I believe you can do all of this, as you have said, “Behold, I make all things new.” Lord, please make our relationship new, according to your will and your love. Thank you. Amen.

Scripture passages to repeat:

“Above all hold unfailing your love for one another, since love covers a multitude of sins.” -1 Pet 4:8

“Love is patient and kind; love is not jealous or boastful; it is not arrogant or rude. Love does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrong, but rejoices in the right. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends.” -1 Cor 13:4-8

“Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, with all malice, and be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” -Eph 4:31-32

“Entreat me not to leave you or to return from following you; for where you go I will go, and where you lodge I will lodge; your people shall be my people, and your God my God; where you die I will die, and there will I be buried. May the Lord do so to me and more also if even death parts me from you.” -Ruth 1:16-17

“Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good; love one another with brotherly affection; outdo one another in showing honor.” -Rom 12:9-10

“For with God nothing will be impossible.” -Lk 1:37

“Behold, I make all things new.” -Rev 21:5

Who to Pray to for Intercession: St. John Paul II

We recommend praying to St. John Paul II for intercession because he believed very strongly in the beauty of the relationship between man and woman and the sacredness of marriage. He dedicated a large portion of his life, both before and after becoming a pope, to writing and speaking about these topics.

Novena:

St. John Paul II, you know how beautiful God’s plan for the unity of man and woman is. And you also know how far the first man and woman fell from that plan and how far we still fall from it today. Yet, thanks to our Lord Jesus, the relationship is restored in Christ. I trust that God provides all the grace needed for that restoration, even in the midst of the sharpest pains of an unhappy or struggling marriage. In my marriage, St. John Paul II, [enter spouse’s name] and I are struggling with [enter your struggle]. Please help us by praying and interceding for [enter intention]. St. John Paul II, I know that you care and want to help us in our marriage. I beg you to please pray and intercede for this intention. Please pray that our relationship will be restored. Thank you. Amen.

Cooperate with God

Sometimes God works through practical means to help us with our situation. Here are some steps you can take to keep the door open for God:

  • If you feel like a marriage counselor might help and don’t have one already, schedule an appointment with one.
  • Read at least one book on the relationship issue you are struggling with. Learning what the fields of psychology and family therapy say about common marriage issues and how to overcome them can help you to better understand what you are going through and identify steps you can take to improve your relationship.
  • Set a prayer plan, and stick with it. Pray every day. When you pray, open your heart to God. Tell him how you are feeling and what your relationship issues are, and ask him to help. Keep your heart open to God so he can work to help you and your spouse. If you have the opportunity to attend Eucharistic Adoration, spend at least a half hour there. Be sure part of the time is spent listening to God in silence.
  • If you and your spouse are willing to pray together, agree on a time to pray each day, and follow through with that commitment. If you are not able to peacefully pray extemporaneously, just pray together using common prayers such as the rosary or chaplet of divine mercy.
  • Receive the sacrament of Confession often. God wants to work with you. Keep your soul as open to grace as possible by frequently receiving absolution through the sacrament of Confession.