A Grateful Life Lived

One of my most-read articles is a post I wrote entitled, “31 Days of Prayer for Your Future Husband.” I was single when I wrote the blog post, so it was a personal project as well. I wanted at least thirty-one specific prayers, so I could pray through them once a month.

It has been a good six years since I wrote that article. In the meantime, I have experienced a pandemic, gotten married, and initiated my mental health journey in earnest. I have not forgotten the unique blessings and challenges of singleness, however; nor do I want to become so fixated on my current life stage that I forget my single friends.

Thus, I have written a new spin on the 31 Days of Prayer for Your Future Husband. I present to you: 31 Days of Prayer for Your Single Bestie. Your friend may or may not desire marriage; these prayer points are valid regardless!

Lord, as I care for my friend who desires marriage, I as that you would:

1. Build her up in your joy; that it may be her strength in all seasons (Neh. 8:10)
2. Show her the blessing of singleness; help her to thrive during this time and not to waste it (Ecc. 3)
3. Reveal to her how deeply you care and are holding her hand (Isa. 41:10)
4. Show her the richness of Your love in new ways every single day (Ps. 19:7-10)
5. Provide for her relational needs; be her bridegroom and deepest love (Isa. 54:5)
6. Reminder her that You are her Maker—You can handle any ugly emotions she feels in regard to singleness (Lam. 3:22)
7. Remove any doubt she may have about being overlooked or forgotten (Heb. 13:5)
8. Show yourself strong as her helper (Heb. 13:6)
9. Give her a humble spirit (Col. 3:12-14)
10. Strengthen her understanding of her God-given worth (Gen. 1:27)
11. Develop the fruit of the spirit in her life (Gal. 5:22-23)
12. Give her uplifting, deep friendships (1 Thess. 5:14)
13. Help me to see her when she is struggling or celebrating; I want to be a faithful friend to her (John 15:12-13)
14. Ignite in her a passion for the gospel and for sharing that good news with others (Matt. 28:19-20)
15. Help her to see herself as You see her (2 Cor. 5:17)
16. Bless and strengthen her relationships with her parents and siblings (Ex. 20:12)
17. Help her to be diligent in spending time studying Your Word, Lord. Let her time in the Bible shape her time with others. (Ps. 19:7-8)
18. Develop the unique gifts You have given her in exciting, new ways (1 Cor. 12)
19. Protect her sexual & emotional purity (Col 3:5)
20. Teach her to be still and know (Ps. 46:10)
21. Remind her that You are not slow in keeping your promises; you have a perfect plan she can not “speed up” or “screw up” (Job 42:2)
22. Show her the spiritual value of singleness—life does not begin after she gets married (1 Cor. 7:8-9;17)
23. Encourage her when she is sad or lonely (2 Cor. 1:3-4)
24. Grow her understanding of her potential future role as a wife; show her what marriage is and what it isn’t (Eph. 5:22-33)
25. Teach her to value the least of these (Matt. 25:40)
26. Open her eyes to see the schemes of the evil one who comes only to steal, kill, and destroy (John 10:10)
27. Grant her patience in the waiting (Phil 4:11)
28. I may not know Your plans for my friend, but I know you have good plans, God. Would you please satisfy her heart. She really longs for a life partner and I want that for her too. We trust You with that desire of her heart. (1 Pet. 5:7)
29. Breathe life into her dreams; give her godly audacity to pursue them (Heb. 13:6)
30. Remove any shame or embarrassment she may have; She is not behind or late. Neither are YOU (Psalm 139)
31. Keep her from the temptation to take things into her own hands—whatever that may mean in her situation (Prov. 19:21)

Most of us are called to marriage at some point in this life, and that point is widely different for each of us. Truthfully, I miss the joys of singleness; I also remember how challenging that season was. Join me in praying for the faithful friends in our lives who are in this season of waiting.

Love,

Hannah