3 of 8 - Empty Phrases and Many words: How To Prayer For Your Spouse

Show notes

About This Episode Many of us worry about finding the right words when we pray, or wonder whether we are praying enough. In part three of our series on the Lord's Prayer, we look at Matthew 6:7, where Jesus warns against heaping up empty phrases and many words. We talk about why God isn't impressed by length or eloquence, noting that the Lord's Prayer takes about 13 seconds to say, and how easy it is to slip into quick, repetitive prayers on autopilot. We also draw the distinction between vain repetition and persistently bringing a need before God. Then we get practical about what to pray for your spouse and family, and read prayer 112 from our book The Marriage Gift. God knows what we need before we ask; He simply wants our hearts.

About Aaron & Jennifer Smith Aaron and Jennifer Smith are the founders of Marriage After God and authors of Husband After God, Wife After God, and Marriage After God. Married since 2007 and raising six children in Bend, Oregon, they started Husband Revolution and Unveiled Wife to share what God was teaching them, not from a place of having it figured out, but as fellow travelers pointing couples back to Jesus.

In This Episode Empty phrases — what Jesus meant in Matthew 6:7 by heaping up many words Length vs. sincerity — why God values an honest heart over eloquent or lengthy prayers Vain repetition vs. persistence — how autopilot prayer differs from faithfully bringing a need to God He already knows — trusting that God knows what we need before we ask Praying with thanksgiving — starting with gratitude to God Praying for your spouse — bringing their specific struggles before God Praying beyond your home — interceding for your children, the lost, and your church Intercession as love — John Calvin on prayer that feels others' needs as our own

Scripture Referenced Matthew 6:7-8

Resources from This Episode Get your copy of TheMarriageGift.com Check out all our resources shop.marriageaftergod.com Get our new book The Marriage Gift - 365 prayers for your marriage! Check out our marriage resources! Full show notes and blog post

If this conversation encouraged you, please share it with a couple you love, and subscribe wherever you listen. Follow us on Instagram: Marriage After God · Unveiled Wife · Husband Revolution Want to go deeper? Become a patron and help us keep creating resources for marriages that pursue God together. Smith Family Resources, Inc © 2026