Here’s the thing about praying with your spouse—it can feel a little awkward at first. Even if you’ve been married for years and know everything from their favorite cereal to how they load the dishwasher (wrong, obviously), opening up spiritually? That hits different. It’s intimate in a whole new way.
But here’s another truth: it can also be one of the most grounding, beautiful parts of your relationship.
I’ve been writing about faith, relationships, and all the messy in-betweens for over two decades now, and I’ve seen this pattern over and over. Couples who make time for prayer with their spouse tend to weather life’s curveballs a bit better. They’re not perfect, but they’ve got this extra glue holding them together—faith, yes, but also trust, vulnerability, and a shared rhythm that can get lost in the busyness of life.
So, if you’re here wondering how to start praying with your spouse without making it feel stiff or awkward, you’re in good company. Let’s dive in, coffee in hand, hearts wide open.
How to Pray With a Spouse?
First off, take a deep breath. You don’t have to be theological experts or seasoned saints to start this practice.
Praying with your spouse is really just about coming before God—together. Sometimes it’s structured. Other times, it’s just a whispered, “Lord, give us peace today,” before heading out the door.
Start small. Maybe you hold hands before bed and say a one-minute prayer. Maybe you pause after dinner and pray over your kids or your finances or your day.
My husband and I? We started by accident. Years ago, during a rough patch (think unpaid bills, toddlers with stomach bugs, and a very confused dog), I blurted out, “Can we just pray?” We stood in the kitchen, surrounded by crusty dishes and a pile of laundry on the table, and said maybe the clumsiest prayer ever. It ended in laughter and a few tears—but man, it helped. And we kept going.
How Do Couples Start Praying Together?
This might sound too simple, but… you start by starting.
Set the bar low, especially if this is new territory for one or both of you. Don’t go in with a full 30-minute prayer plan, three devotionals, and a Spotify worship playlist (unless you really want to, in which case, power to you). Just say something like:
“Hey, I’ve been thinking… what if we tried praying together sometimes?”
Chances are, your spouse might be relieved you brought it up first.
You can even start with shared silence. Sit together in the morning with coffee, hold hands, and each say something you’re grateful for. That’s prayer too. It doesn’t have to be fancy to be real.
And here’s a little modern twist—some couples are setting reminders on their phones to pause and pray during the day, especially with all the chaos in the world right now. Between AI overload, constant notifications, and trying to stay sane in 2025, it’s kind of revolutionary to just stop and pray.
How to Pray With Your Spouse Catholic?
If you’re Catholic, you’ve got some beautiful structure to lean on—rosaries, novenas, and traditional prayers. But even then, personal prayer with your spouse is just as important.
Start with something familiar. Maybe pray a Hail Mary together. Or read a short passage from the daily Mass readings and talk about it for a minute or two. Reflect on what stood out, even if it’s just, “That felt comforting,” or, “I didn’t get it, but it was peaceful to hear.”
One couple I know prays the Rosary during walks. They’ve got earbuds in, sharing one AirPod each, walking through the park while the app leads them. It’s low-pressure, meaningful, and surprisingly romantic.
Remember, you’re not performing. You’re inviting the Holy Spirit into your marriage—just like you’d invite a close friend over for dinner. Casual, welcoming, honest.
Real-Life Examples of Prayer With Spouse
- Morning Gratitude: “Thank you, God, for another day together. Help us show love today.”
- Stress Prayers: “Lord, help us with this job interview tomorrow. Calm our nerves.”
- Forgiveness: After a fight, sitting down and saying, “God, help us understand each other better.”
- Bedtime Blessing: A quick blessing before sleep: “May God protect us and give us peace tonight.”
Not every prayer has to be long. Not every moment has to feel holy. The holiness comes through the mess sometimes.
Why Praying With Spouse Still Matters (Especially Now)
In today’s world—where screens compete for our attention, burnout is trending, and stress levels are sky-high—spiritual intimacy isn’t just nice. It’s necessary.
Praying with your spouse slows things down. It reconnects you to each other and to something bigger than both of you. It’s a moment of, “I see you. I’m here. We’re in this together, with God.”
And yeah, sometimes you’ll forget. Sometimes you’ll feel silly. Sometimes one of you will fall asleep mid-prayer (guilty). That’s okay. Just keep showing up.
Final Thoughts (and a Challenge for You)
You don’t have to be spiritual giants to start praying with your spouse. You just have to be willing. Willing to try. Willing to be vulnerable. Willing to let prayer be one more thread that holds you together.
So here’s your challenge: tonight, or tomorrow morning, take 60 seconds and pray with your spouse. Out loud if you can. Whispered if you have to. Silently if needed. Just start.
And hey—if you already pray with your spouse, or just started recently, I’d love to hear how it’s going. Drop a comment or send a message. We’re all figuring this out together, one prayer at a time.