Since Michael and I got married, I have always prayed that God would keep us strong in the face of life’s temptations. I don’t know if it’s because of our prayers or because we have always been vigilant, but we have never had to doubt each other for a single moment. I am sure we owe it more to God’s hand than to the strength of our discipline, but both are important.

I know several couples who have experienced adultery, but in each case, because the wife was willing to pray and the husband wanted to allow God to change and restore him, these couples are still intact and thriving today. Only the prayer of a submissive heart and the transformative power of the Holy Spirit can achieve such miracles.

I have another friend whose husband had many affairs before they eventually divorced. Each time, it was with one of her close friends. I question how she chose her “friends,” but I never doubted the sincerity of her faith and dedication in prayer. She knew how to pray. But a heart that refuses to listen to the Holy Spirit’s calls will not change, despite all the prayers.

Temptation is omnipresent today, and we are naive if we think our husband cannot be seduced in one way or another. The Bible says, “The eyes of man are insatiable” (Proverbs 27:20). If this is true, temptation is always a possibility, and we must always be on guard. Some people are tempted by alcohol and drugs, others by lust or greed or the thirst for power. Others become addicted to food, pornography, or debauchery and cannot resist their allure.

The enemy of our souls knows where our flesh is weakest and will place temptations in our path when we are most vulnerable. So the question is not whether we will be tempted, but how we will react when it comes. I recommend facing it through prayer from start to finish. While prayer may not prevent a man from doing something he is determined to do, it can diminish the voices of temptation and strengthen our determination to overcome it. Prayer can pave the way to making good choices.

The Bible says that God does not tempt us. It is our desires that entice and seduce us. It is our desires that lead us to sin and introduce death into our lives. But “Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him” (James 1:12). God wants us to triumph over temptation because he desires to bless us. But he wants to see if he can trust us to make good choices to overcome our carnal desires. He will provide a way out if we desire it enough to seek his help.

The best time to start praying about this is surely before anything happens. Jesus taught his disciples:

“Pray that you may not enter into temptations” (Luke 22:40). He also said:

“Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak” (Mark 14:38).

If your husband struggles in certain areas, pray that he has enough faithful prayer partners with whom he can openly share his struggles, be held accountable, and receive prayer. Confessing our sin openly before God and our brothers and sisters contributes more than anything to minimizing the power of the tempter.

Unfortunately, many men are reluctant to reveal the areas in which they are most tempted, thereby shutting themselves off from what could become their protection.

If after praying persistently, your husband continues to fall into the hands of temptation, do not blame yourself. The final decision is his. He has chosen to walk according to the flesh and not according to the Spirit…

This text is an excerpt from the book “The Power Of A Praying Wife” written by Stormie Omartian.

We invite you to read the following article “A Wife’s Effective Prayer for Her Husband’s Choices“.

Temptations