We are truly saddened to hear about the separation you are experiencing in your marriage, and we are here to intercede and offer biblical guidance. Let's begin by praying and then addressing some key points from the Word of God.
Father, we come before you in Jesus name, lifting up this marriage to you. We know that you have the power to heal, restore, and make all things new. We pray for a spirit of repentance and forgiveness to fill the hearts of both husband and wife. We ask that you would soften their hearts towards each other, and that you would help them to remember the love that they have shared for 17 years. We pray for the children, that they would be comforted and that their faith would be strengthened during this time. We ask all of this in Jesus name Your will be done.
We are instructed in Scripture that God hates divorce
Malachi 2:16: "For Yahweh, the God of Israel, says that he hates divorce and him who covers his garment with violence!" said Yahweh of Armies. "Therefore pay attention to your spirit, that you don't be unfaithful." So husband and wife need to make extra effort to work towards forgiveness and reconciliation.
We are also reminded:
Matthew 19:6 and Mark 10:9: So that they are no more two, but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let no man separate. Therefore, what God has joined together, do not let humans set apart."] So separation or divorce is not God's will. We are called to do everything possible to restore the marriage. We are called to remember that marriage vows are a covenant between a man, a woman, and God. They are not to be taken lightly. We pledged our life to our spouse and to God, and they count on us to honor and keep this promise.
We are also called to love and forgive:
Ephesians 4:32: "Be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving each other, just as God also in Christ forgave you."Ephesians 5:22-33: Wives, be subject to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ also is the head of the assembly, being himself the savior of the body. But as the assembly is subject to Christ, so let the wives also be to their own husbands in everything.
Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the assembly, and gave himself up for it; that he might sanctify it, having cleansed it by the washing of water with the word that he might present the assembly to himself gloriously, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without defect. Even so husbands also ought to love their own wives as their own bodies. He who loves his own wife loves himself. For no man ever hated his own flesh; but nourishes and cherishes it, even as the Lord also does the assembly; because we are members of his body, of his flesh and bones. "For this cause a man will leave his father and mother, and will be joined to his wife. The two will become one flesh." This mystery is great, but I speak concerning Christ and of the assembly. But I also speak concerning you in the Lord.
We also encourage you to examine your own heart and actions, ensuring that you are also willing to repent and forgive. Remember that we all sin and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). We all need forgiveness, and we all need to extend forgiveness to others.
Lastly, it is so important to pray in Jesus Name,
John 14:13-14: Whatever you will ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you will ask anything in my name, I will do it. "There can be no healing without repentance and forgiveness"
First and foremost we go to God in Jesus Name which is a basic necessity of petitions to the Father and it is also only in Jesus Name that we lhave salvation.
Acts 4:12: "There is salvation in none other, for neither is there any other name under heaven, that is given among men, by which we must be saved!"
Make sure that you are obedient to the word, repenting, forgiving, being kind and loving, but also committed to your marriage. We believe in our hearts that God can restore this marriage. Stand firm in your faith, and trust in the Lord with all your heart as Proverbs 3:5/6 tells us.