9 Scripture-Based Prayers for an Incarcerated Spouse

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1. A Prayer for God’s Presence

"Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast." Psalm 139:7-10

Father, I pray that you would be near my spouse. That they would feel your presence and be encouraged despite their circumstances. Hold onto them, drawing them close to you. Speak to their hearts. Remind them of your love, grace, forgiveness, and faithfulness. Remind them that they are never alone and that they cannot escape your view. Protect them and help their heart to know that they are not forgotten. Amen.

2. A Prayer for Protection and Peace

"You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you." Isaiah 26:3

"And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:7

Father, I ask that you would protect and guard the heart, mind, soul, and life of my spouse. Set their minds on things above. Bring your peace to them even as they experience hardships. Show them your ways and teach them your path. Offer them protection against physical abusers, mental health struggles, temptations for addiction, protect their health, and more. Place your angels around them by your grace. Amen.

3. A Prayer for Spiritual Growth and Repentance

"Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me." Psalm 51:10

"And I will give them one heart, and a new spirit I will put within them. I will remove the heart of stone from their flesh and give them a heart of flesh." Ezekiel 11:19

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come." 2 Corinthians 5:17

God, I believe in your ability to redeem our stories! I believe in the power of repentance and the promise of salvation. I ask that you lead my spouse towards your gracious repentance. Bring spiritual growth and discipline into their story. Wash them clean of their sins and offer them a soft heart that hungers and thirsts for righteousness. Transform and bring beauty into their stories. Let your grace abound in their life. Amen.

4. A Prayer for Strength to Endure

"But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint." Isaiah 40:31

"You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of your presence and the pleasures of living with you forever." Psalm 16:11

Father, I ask that you give my spouse and me the strength required to endure this trial. Renew our strength. Lift our spirits. Offer us supernatural endurance for this season. Show us the path through this. Allow us to find joy in the small blessings life brings to us. Let your grace be sufficient for our needs. Amen.

5. A Prayer for Mental and Emotional Health

"For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love, and self-discipline." 2 Timothy 1:7

Father, protect my spouse's mental and emotional health. Encourage their soul. Renew their minds. Help them to think of what is true, honest, just, things that are pure, lovely, things that are of good report, and praiseworthy. Allow them to release any guilt, shame, doubt, or discouragement. Remind them they are loved by you, forgiven, and never alone. Amen.

6. A Prayer for Your Marriage While Apart

"Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken." Ecclesiastes 4:12

Father, help us to remain faithful to one another through this separation. Pour out grace on our marriage so we can forgive each other. Allow us the creative ability to connect even though we are not together. Guard our hearts against bitterness, temptation, and resentment. God, strengthen our covenant of marriage even while we are apart. Be the third strand in our marriage that holds us together. Amen.

7. A Prayer for Reentry and Restoration

“’For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’” Jeremiah 29:11

Father, I ask for your grace as we prepare for the release of my spouse. Allow us the grace we need to reintegrate as a family. Open doors for employment, community support, accountability, connections, growth, and more. By your grace, redeem what has been broken. Bring a new beginning to our family. Amen.

8. A Prayer When You Feel Angry Towards Your Spouse

"Trust in him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge." Psalm 62:8

Father, you know my heart. You know the thoughts and feelings I am struggling with. Give me wisdom and grace as I try to find a way forward in this situation. I don’t have the words to capture all that weighs on me, but I trust that you can get me through. Allow me the strength I need to make the next right step for me and for my marriage. Offer me the wisdom I need as I walk alongside my spouse through their incarceration. I release my struggles over to you. Take my heavy burden. Amen.

9. A Prayer for Redemption

"In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace." Ephesians 1:7

Father, I ask that your redeeming power would be at work in my spouse's life. Take what the enemy meant for evil and turn it for good. I ask your grace would be on those who have been impacted by my spouse's actions. Let forgiveness flow, and healing abound. I pray that the other inmates will also come to know you. Bring revival to those who have made choices that have led to their imprisonment. Show them how loved they are! Show them your ways and teach them your path. Bring truth, light, and grace into this dark place. Restore all that has been lost. Amen.