DAY 13 – CONTENDING FOR FAMILIES AND MARRIAGES

“Unless the Lord builds the house, they labour in vain who build it.”

— Psalm 127:1a (NKJV) 

God Himself is the founder of the institutions of marriage and family. These were not human inventions; they originated from the heart of God and were designed to reflect His covenant, love, and glory on the earth (Genesis 2:24). Because of their divine purpose, families often become the primary target of spiritual warfare. From the beginning, in Genesis, we see how Satan attacked the first family with the intention to corrupt what God had established.

The enemy will go to any length to destroy, divide, weaken, and steal the peace in marriages and homes. He knows that when unity is broken, understanding is lost, and the family is destabilised, the foundation of society becomes vulnerable.

In John 10:10 (NIV), speaking about the enemy, the bible tell us –  “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”

Therefore, as believers, we are called to contend—to stand our ground and fight for our families, not surrender them to the enemy.

Moreso, the bible tells us to fight for our families, as seen in Nehemiah 4:14b (NIV) – “Don’t be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your families, your sons and your daughters, your wives, and your homes.”

In Ezekiel 22:30 (KJV), the Lord says he is looking for people to stand in the gap for the land -“And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land…”

To contend means to stand firm, resist spiritual opposition, and enforce God’s will through prayer, faith, and obedience. When we intercede for our families, we stand in the gap—building spiritual hedges of protection, restoring broken foundations, and calling forth God’s original design for our homes.

God’s Word assures us that He desires peace, unity, fruitfulness, and longevity within our households. As we pray, we align our families with heaven’s agenda, pulling down strongholds and releasing grace for healing, reconciliation, and divine order.

Key Scriptures for Contending for our families and Marriages

– Joshua 24:15 — “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”

– Malachi 2:15–16 — God seeks godly offspring and hates divorce.

– Ecclesiastes 4:12 — A threefold cord is not quickly broken.

– Isaiah 54:17 — No weapon formed against you shall prosper.

– Colossians 2:14–15 — Christ disarmed principalities and powers.

Prayer Points

1. Thank God for the gift of marriage and family and for His divine intention behind these institutions.

2. Pray for peace and restoration in every troubled marriage and home. Let the Shalom of God settle every storm, in Jesus’ name.

3. Ask God to restore every broken foundation—spiritually, emotionally, and relationally. “Lord, heal what has been damaged.” (Joel 2:25)

4. Come against every spirit of division, misunderstanding, sibling rivalry, offence, and bitterness. Let the peace of Christ rule in every heart and home. (Psalm 133:1–3)

5. Pray for divine alignment—that your marriage and family will walk in God’s original purpose and order. (Matthew 19:8)

6. Pray for the strengthening of the marriage covenant. Ask that love, honour, faithfulness, and mutual submission flourish in every home.

7. Declare that your children are taught of the Lord and that great shall be their peace. (Isaiah 54:13)

8. Ask God to empower your household to serve Him. May your home be an altar of prayer, worship, and righteousness. (Joshua 24:15)

9. Decree divine protection over your family. No weapon formed against your home will prosper; hidden attacks are exposed and destroyed. (Isaiah 54:17)

10. Plead the blood of Jesus over your marriage, children, and household. Let every evil agenda be cancelled and neutralised. (Revelation 12:11)

11. Pray that your family will be fortified, preserved, and aligned with God’s purpose—walking in unity, strength, and divine covering.