The "Drive-Home Prayer": Love Does Not Insist On Its Own Way

It’s surely one of the most quoted parts of Scripture, especially when it comes to the topics of love and marriage:

Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends. 1 Corinthians 13:4-8a.  ESV 2001

That passage is humbling to me as a Christ-follower. The love described seems at times impossible to live out. It is certainly not something I can do in my own strength, as hard as I might pray or try.

So how do we begin to truly walk in this Christ-like love in our marriages and other relationships? How can we grow in confidence that you and I can really do this? Here’s what Pastor Rob Greene shares on one part of that passage: Love does not insist on its own way”:

Biblical love does not seek its own. Rather, biblical love is interested in giving instead of taking, and serving instead of being served. When people arrive home from work, they often feel tired and run down. They are ready for a relaxing, problem-free evening. But when they are met by a less-than-pleasant spouse (or unruly children), there is a tendency to get frustrated. Biblical love does not demand from the other person, but willingly gives. Biblical love seeks the good of the other.

You might ask, “How does this happen?” Most of us, myself included, have a drive home from our work to our home. A wise husband or wife uses this drive time to pray and confess something like this: “Lord, you know that I am tired. What I want most is to go home and discover that the kid’s homework is done, my spouse picked up dinner, and a relaxing evening is ahead. But I know that Your will might be something different today. Help me to remember that I don’t need anything because You have given me everything I have to have. If I get home and chaos exists, help me to gently, kindly, and patiently love each member of my family. Help me remember that my spouse has probably had a hard day too, and You may be calling me to serve them tonight. Please help me to use this opportunity to display the reality that Jesus’ death, burial, resurrection, ascension, and present ministry are meaningful in my life. Thank You, Lord” (1)

I can relate to what Rob shares, can’t you? After a hard day, when I pull in my driveway, I am so ready to just have a relaxing evening with little or no stress or demands. But, as you can likely attest to, that is oftentimes not the case. When we still had kids at home, there was often plenty expected of me as both Dad and husband when I arrived home. And even now, as empty-nesters, I should not come home with the expectation that my wife, Shawn, will just focus on my needs or desires.

Something to Consider

My friend, Clark, is a busy man with a stressful, full-time job in law enforcement in Texas. After reading this suggested prayer from Rob Greene, he shared that he thought praying that prayer on his ride home would truly make a difference in each evening with his wife and kids. He foresees his attitude and expectations will change as he humbly calls out to the Lord in praying this on his way home.

How about you? Would you consider praying this or a similar prayer on your way home from work today and in the days that follow? Do you think it would help you, as a Christ-follower, to better exhibit a 1 Corinthians 13 kind of love to your spouse and family?

Suggested Prayer: Lord, I readily admit that my love for my spouse falls short of the Christ-like love described in 1 Corinthians 13. But I want to grow in showing that kind of love more and more consistently as the old me dies and I become more like You, Jesus. Help me, starting today, to cooperate with You in not insisting on my own way, but choosing to give instead of taking, and serve instead of expecting to be served. Fill me anew with Your Spirit so I can walk this way. Thank You, Lord!

Application Section:

Re-read what Rob Greene shared in this post. Take time to recognize and confess to the Lord specific ways you have failed to love your spouse and others.

Consider using the “drive-home prayer” Rob Greene shares as you make your way home each day. Or, maybe even better, write one of your own and commit to praying it starting tomorrow.

If you would like to have more help on growing in love that does not insist on its own way, take time to read the Desiring God article linked below. Consider making at least two action points for you to do after reading that post.

LINK TO DG POST HERE – When Does Love Insist on Its Way

Written by Glen Solberg, Abiding Marriage 2026. All Rights Reserved. Please email us at info@AbidingMarriage.org with any comments or questions.

Photo by Ian Taylor on Unsplash