For Singles: Praying for a Future Spouse
What a wise place to start a search for a life partner, with prayer! God knows us better than we know ourselves. He loves us with a perfect love and is all wise. If we are willing to let Him guide us he will direct us toward His good plan for our lives. God is the perfect Match Maker!!
But, if the truth is told, it’s really hard to be patient and not to get ahead of God. Sometimes singles are almost desperate to get married because they see marriage as a solution because they are not happy and think a relationship will be the solution to unhappiness. Some see marriage as the path to being fulfilled or complete. The best candidate for a lifelong relationship is the person who is already fulfilled and complete. They enter a relationship seeking to give what they have rather than expecting to get what they are missing.
A marriage relationship fulfills many needs and desires but there are rudimentary longings that only God can fulfill. When we expect our spouse to do something only God can do then we will always end up disappointed no matter how wonderful our partner might be. These expectations are unfair and put a lot of unhealthy pressure on the relationship.
Question: If God answered your prayer today, are you ready for a marriage relationship? Are you happy as a single person, even if God does not bring someone your way in the immediate future?
Consider this list of characteristics: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. (Gal. 5:22-23) Think about being married to a person with these characteristics! These are the character traits that God develops in us when we allow His Spirit to direct and empower our lives. Putting God in the center of my life was the most positive step toward preparing for marriage. After 39 years of marriage, my relationship with God is still the greatest asset I bring to our relationship!
Yes, do continue to pray for a spouse but also pray that God would fill you with the fruit of his Spirit to be ready for a lifelong relationship!
by Mike Woodard