This was on my heart to share:

When I matured enough to know that  I wanted to be married (having developed an understanding of the privilege and ministry that marriage is), I spent time seeking fulfilment for myself first.

Part of that involved personal goals (degrees, career, travel, etc.) and the other part was spiritual. I wanted to be full of my purpose and personal relationship with God before ANYONE else came into the picture.

Being single was not always easy, nor pleasant for me, but NOW I see how my time of preparation was KEY. I spent time pouring my heart out to God about A LOT of things. Including the type of love I desired.

Not just a relationship or marriage, but a friendship and bond rooted in something much deeper. When I look at my husband, I remember those prayers and there are SPECIAL moments when God brings something to my attention that reminds me of the specific prayers that I prayed.

When people see me with Brandon and comment on the way I look at him or how genuinely happy we seem, I thank God because I PRAYED for THAT and God shows himself strong by reminding me of those prayers every time someone makes that comment.

Do we have hard days? YES!

Have we had some UGLY blow ups? ABSOLUTELY–we’re NOT perfect!

But we’ve GROWN so much more and TOGETHER are becoming so much STRONGER. 

One day I was home from college talking with my mom and I told her, “I’ve been praying and I think maybe I’m not going to be married. Maybe that’s not what God wants for me, but if that’s not it, I’m sure he has something else in store.”

I have a former classmate (who is also a minister) that I laughed with after meeting my now husband. She observed and commented, “As soon as you released that thing (i.e. trying to be in relationships that weren’t God ordained) He gave you EXACTLY what you were praying for.”

Looking back on both of those instances made me realize that SOMETIMES GOD has to see that you’ll pursue his will ABOVE ALL ELSE. (Seek HIM FIRST and HE will give you the desires of your heart–but understand THIS, everything you desire may not be God’s will for your life).

If you’re single now and desiring a mate–KEEP PRAYING and TRUSTING HIM! Keep doing your part. Find fulfillment in your relationship with GOD and your relationship with YOURSELF. When the right person comes along, you won’t miss a beat.

I prayed this prayer (shown below) for years, but it came to pass. If marriage is a true, unselfish desire of your heart, I’m standing in agreement with you. I’ve also included a link to the prayer online. (Originally published in Prayers that Avail Much for Teens)

Future Spouse Prayer

I come before You, Father, desiring a christian mate. I petition that your will be done in my life, and I enter into that blessed rest by adhering to, trusting in, and relying on You.

Father, You desire that I live a life free from care, that I should be content and satisfied in every situation that I am in, and that I should not be anxious or worried about anything. You have said that if I am willing and obedient to Your Word, You will give me the desires of my heart. It is my desire that someday I will be married to the person You have chose for me.

I pray for him/her. Father, especially help him/her grow in love, Your kind of love. A friend loves at all times, and I desire for my spouse to be my very best friend. I desire that my spouse be a person who shares the same love that I have for you, someone who will be one in spirit and purpose with me.

I ask You to send mature men and women into our lives to give us good, godly counsel and to teach us how we should love each other and care for our family. Teach us both what You expect husbands and wives to do and how we ought to behave toward each other. Reveal to our hearts Your Word concerning the marriage relationship and correct any wrong thinking in our lives. Grant us knowledge throught godly people, books, tapes, and preaching that will give us understinding concerning relationships, so that we can avoid damaging the relationship You desire for us.

Father, I trust You to lead me and guide me by Your Holy Spirit so that when Your perfect time is right, I wil have the wisdom, discretion, and discernment to know that my choice and Yours are the same for my life-mate, I am secure with the mind and the spirit that You have given me to make this decision.

I pray that the eyes of my future spouse’s understanding will be opened so that he/she will have complete knowledge of Your will in all spiritual wisdom and understinding. I pray that he/she will live a life that is worthy of You, Lord, and pleasing to You in every way. I Pray that he/she will always be involved in doing good deeds, and have a strong, growing relationship with You. I pray that our commitment to each other will continually grow as we draw closer to You.

I pray In Jesus’ name. Amen

Future Spouse Scripture References:
Genesis 2:18-24 Ephesians 5:22-25
Psalm 37:4,5 KJV Philippians 2:2-7 AMP
Psalm 1:30:5 Colossians 1:9,10
Proverbs 17:17KJV Colossians 2:9,10 AMP
Isaiah 1:19 Hebrews 4:3,10 AMP
Matthew 6:33 RSV