I wouldn't say prayer is always easy, but it is not really hard for me. I have been praying my life away since my husband left. Not for him to come back, but for God to get me through because the pain was too much, I couldn't bare it. I prayed before he left, but not quite the same. My husband is a Christian and has a relationship with God, but he has been so deeply hurt by my actions (anger) that he couldn't take it anymore. The way I have been praying for his heart:
1) that God would bind up his brokenness, that God would soften his heart toward me and let true forgiveness reign.
2) I also pray that God's truth replace the lies my husband has come to believe and follow.
3) I also pray for a break through in communication and commitment on my husband's part; that he would commit to working on our marriage full throttle.
We kinda had a break through with our talk last night and an enjoyable dinner. So Praise the Lord!! I want more, but I need to be patient. Healing does not go fast. I know we have a long road ahead of us, but I am really excited to travel down it. I have experienced the power of prayer before. I have experienced peace from God and pure joy in a time of trouble.
So looking back on #3, it could look selfish. The reason I want my husband to commit is partly for his benefit. He had a lot of hurt growing up and has not been on the receiving end of true love. I believe God is shaping me into a better person that better reflects who God is and that it would benefit my husband. I deeply care for him and do not want to see him go from broken relationship to broken relationship.
Take time to study the prayer guidance in the appendix.