When you’re seeking guidance in any area of life, prayer is always a good idea. In fact, one of the most loving things we can do is pray—for others and for our own needs.
If you desire to be married, consider praying now for your future husband or wife.
It doesn’t matter how old you are—whether you’re in your 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s, or beyond—it’s never too late to pray for someone special to marry.
Recently, a woman I know got married for the first time at age 60. Popular Bible teacher, Nancy DeMoss Wolgemuth of Revive Our Hearts ministry, got married in her late 50s. And CBN news anchor, Wendy Griffith got married at age 54.
Marriage is a life-long union of two people in a committed relationship based on love and respect. Together, you will build a life, have ups and downs, resolve conflicts, enjoy each other, and have adventures. Who knows how you will change and grow through the years?
So it’s wise to be prepared for one of the most important decisions of your life and pray for the potential person and your relationship.
Here are five great reasons to pray for your future mate:
1. It makes prayer a priority in every area of your life, including your love life.
2. It helps you trust God as you wait for His best.
3. It provides clarity on what you’re looking for in a future spouse. As we seek God’s will, sometimes He opens our hearts to things we didn’t know we needed.
4. It’s a reminder of God’s faithfulness in your life as you look back on answered prayers over time.
5. There is power in prayer. James 5:16 reminds us that, “The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.”
Prayer is essential—for your love life or any area.
Prayer changes things. In fact, God works when we pray, and He answers prayer—in His way and in His time.
Prayer also changes us. It gives us hope and new perspective. It teaches us to trust God. When we pray, we are asking but also listening, so we can change our actions if needed.
Spending time in prayer is spending time with God. It’s communication with Him, a conversation of talking with and listening to the One who loves you most, the God who created you and knows you better than you know yourself. He wants to hear what is on your heart. He cares about you, and God has the power to make real and lasting changes in your life and those for whom you pray.
Even if you’re not dating right now, start to pray. And whether or not you get married, your prayers will not be wasted when you pray asking for God’s will.
We can know that God always answers prayer. Sometimes He says, “yes,” other times it’s a “no,” or “wait.” It’s not yet time. Whatever the outcome, we know that God is good, loving, and faithful. And He wants His best for his sons and daughters.
What to pray
When you pray for your future husband or wife, you can ask God to help him or her to grow in their relationship with Him. Pray that person will be a godly man or woman who is first seeking God’s will and ready to pursue a connection that would lead to marriage.
Pray that God would give you both wisdom to discern whether or not you are right for each other, and how to treat one another with love and respect. Pray for his or her health and safety.
Ask God to give each of you a vision for what your marriage can be—wonderful, joyful, and fulfilling.
Also, seek God’s leading and timing—His will for your love life—and that you would become the person God wants you to be, whether you are eventually in a relationship or not. And to be at peace as you wait for God’s best.
There’s a sample prayer that you can pray at the end of this post.
Waiting with hope
Robin Jones Gunn and Tricia Goyer, who are authors and good friends, wrote a book entitled Praying for Your Future Husband.
In it, they admonish women to believe God answers women's prayers for husbands—even husbands they may not meet for years. Gunn and Goyer invite women to pray boldly for their future mates, while also asking God to prepare their own hearts for marriage.
Whether you are a man or woman who is praying and waiting for that special someone, you can wait with hope. Tricia Goyer said:
“Perhaps you’ve prayed and prayed, but God hasn’t answered. Your prayers seem like bulbs planted in a winter garden. Each time you check for results, all you see is barrenness, debris, and frost. You doubt the warmth of your faith when you first planted the prayers in a season of light and hope. Patience, dear God Lover. Nothing is wrong with your prayers. Leave all of them safely hidden with the Lord. Hold fast to the hope that He has heard and is at work in the garden of your heart. One bright spring morning you will be stunned when you see what God’s resurrection power has done with those requests you buried so long ago.”
In the fullness of time, God can bring you the love and commitment you desire—if that’s His will for you.
Of course, not everyone marries. But many people do. And if that’s important to you, share your hopes and dreams with God—and trust Him for His best.
In my book, When Love Ends, I wrote, “To me, it is a mystery and a miracle how two people ever get together and stay together. Thankfully, the God we serve is really good at mysteries and miracles.”
Truly, it is amazing how a man and woman find each other, love each other (at the same time in the same way), and commit to marriage for a lifetime. It’s a rare and God-given gift.
Why not start praying for your future spouse now?
And be at peace. God’s got this.
PRAYER FOR YOUR FUTURE SPOUSE
Lord, I pray for the man (or woman) you have for me to marry one day. I ask that we would know with certainty that we are the best fit for each other, and that we would choose each other. Will you help him/her to be a person of integrity, someone who is honest and makes wise decisions?
I pray for my special someone and his/her relationship with God—for growth and maturity as each of us seeks to put you first in every area of our lives. Give us vision for what an awesome relationship we could have. And how our marriage, one day, will bless each other and those around us.
Heal his/her past. Heal my past, so we can be free from unhealed relationships. Help us to learn to love well and respect each other. Help us to communicate well and work through conflict together. I pray for physical and emotional intimacy. I pray for a joyful and peaceful home.
And as our relationship matures and grows, that we would grow together. I ask believing for Your best, Lord. For Your glory. Amen.
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:6-7
Jackie M. Johnson is an author and blogger who writes inspiring content on growing a better life, the power of prayer, and encouragement for singles. Jackie has a heart to encourage single adults of all ages, and she has led numerous small groups and Bible studies for singles. Her books include the breakup recovery guide, When Love Ends and the Ice Cream Carton Is Empty, Power Prayers for Women, and Praying with Power When Life Gets Tough. Connect with Jackie at JackieJohnsonCreative.com.
