Where are you in your marriage? Do you feel like it has dried up? Are you on the brink of divorce? Have you lost the romance? Maybe you feel like things are going well. Or maybe you’re more in love with your husband than ever. No matter where you are in your marriage, one thing is sure. You never “arrive.” There is always room for improvement. And even when it seems hopeless --- especially when it seems hopeless --- prayer is the key to unlocking the best God has for you.

If you’re familiar with author Stormie Omartian, you probably know that she is known for writing books that focus on the power of prayer. Her latest is based on the four-million-copy bestseller, THE POWER OF A PRAYING WIFE. The devotional with the same name teaches women new ways to pray for themselves, their husbands and their marriage.

According to the Bible, prayer is a powerful tool. Omartian says in the introduction, “As we pray, God gives us the ability to see what’s really going on in our world and in the spirit realm.” She indicates that prayer is instrumental in bringing about transformation in our lives and in our hearts. It’s no secret that the area women seem most interested in improving, changing and growing is the relationship they have with their husbands. While most men want good marriages, women especially long for fulfillment and joy in the marriage relationship. And God longs for them to have that, too.

THE POWER OF A PRAYING WIFE DEVOTIONAL contains 100 brief meditations with corresponding prayers. Not only are there prayers for wives to pray for their husbands and marriages, it encourages women to pray for themselves, as well. Omartian points out that praying the “change me” prayer is not as fun as praying “change him,” but the latter is a prayer that’s seldom ever answered. She goes on to say that searching our own hearts is one of the most effective ways to bring about change.

Of the 100 devotionals, one-third consists of personal prayers for the women, another third are prayers for their husbands, and the last third focus on marriages. But the devotionals are not separated into three sections. Instead, they alternate. Omartian suggests reading three devotionals per day, in order to say one prayer in each category. This works out to a month’s worth of devotionals. But they are certainly ones we can read over again and again.

Entries are between two and three pages in length, eliminating the need to set aside a lot of time to read them. A Bible verse starts off each devotion, so you have a specific scripture to stand on with each topic. Pretty much every subject you can think of is covered. You can find prayers for things like: When we need to have better communication. When we want God to breathe new life into our marriage. When he needs freedom from destructive behavior. When he has done something that is hard to forgive. When I find it difficult to trust him. When we need financial wisdom. When I need to confess my attitude. When I desire to make our house a sanctuary. And many more…

Omartian has been married for more than 37 years and sometimes uses down-to-earth examples from her own life. She offers great insight into the way women think, act and respond to their struggles. Her writing style is straightforward and easy to understand, and it’s plain to see why her books are so successful. Her prayer ministry is clearly anointed, and her heart for women --- and for their marriages --- shines through every page.

THE POWER OF A PRAYING WIFE DEVOTIONAL is an excellent read for a new bride or a woman celebrating her 50th wedding anniversary. No matter where you are in your relationship with your husband, the words in this book have the potential to provide you with a marriage greater than you’ve ever imagined.