This was sent to me by a dear friend and I thought it would be good post to share with my readers. My friend emphasized how this reading inspired her to pray for her brother and his future life along with praying for her unknown future husband.
His Faith: Is he a Christian? I’ve always assumed my future husband is already a Christian, but … he might not be today; and for years I’ve prayed periodically for his salvation. We can also pray for the faith of our future husbands to grow in depth and breadth, in strength and tenacity, and also in grace. I pray that my future husband will be strong when he is tested and humble when he is refined. The faith of our future husbands will directly impact our faith, our children’s faith, our grandchildren’s faith … and the faith of countless generations to come if Jesus tarries that long.
His Walk With God: Faith is the foundation of our future husband’s walk with God, but following Jesus is an adventure – and a journey that involves lots of tests: of faith and conviction and obedience. We can pray for our future husbands to walk humbly in faith with God (Micah 6:8) – to have the faith to keep walking by faith and not by sight when it’s tough, to maintain their convictions when it’s unpopular (even with themselves!), to obey the voice of God at any cost. I pray for my future husband to care more for walking with God than walking with friends or colleagues in following the crowd in pursuit of popularity or riches.
His Heart: I often wonder about the heart of my future husband – who he is, deep down inside, alone with God. I think some people would call this “personality” or “character” or something – or maybe “soul”. I pray for my future husband to increase in his knowledge of God and maturity (Ephesians 4:13), know Jesus (Philippians 3:8 and Philippians 3:10), and be conformed to the image of Messiah (Romans 8:29). We can pray for our future husbands to have pleasant personalities and strong characters. For God to purify them of what is not pleasing to Him. And for their hearts to be true and honest and sincere.
Pray for other areas in your future husband’s life. There are other areas of our future husband’s lives that we can remember in prayer – this isn’t an exhaustive list, but examples of things we can pray for:
His Vision: Does he have a vision (Proverbs 29:18) for his faith, his life, his marriage, his family, his ministry and / or work?
His Work / Ministry: Our future husbands may be in school or college or university, they may be working, they may be serving in ministry – or even missions! – and I pray for God to bless my future husband’s efforts.
His Family Relationships: He’s a son – and maybe a brother too.
The Company He Keeps: He has pastors, teachers, mentors, friends, colleagues … and maybe hundreds of “others” on Facebook!
Wisdom: I pray that God grants my future husband wisdom in all his ways.
Purity: Purity of body, mind, heart, soul … this is important!
Generosity: Is he generous – with his time, his possessions, his money … his “self”?
Pray for your future husband from the Bible. The Bible is “God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17) – we can be inspired by the Word of God as we pray for our future husbands!
Psalm 15 says, “Lord, who may dwell in your sacred tent? Who may live on your holy mountain? The one whose walk is blameless, who does what is righteous …” (:1-2) and Psalm 112 says, “Praise the Lord. Blessed are those who fear the Lord, who find great delight in his commands …” (:1) – so I pray, “Dear God, please help my future husband to fear You and love your commands; help him to walk blamelessly and act righteously.”
David is described a man after God’s own heart (Acts 13:22) and a man who accomplished God’s will in his generation (Acts 13:36) – so I pray, “Dear God, please shape my future husband into a man after your own heart and guide him into accomplishing Your will in this generation …”
A number of the men in the Bible portray good, godly characteristics. For example, Moses was humble (Numbers 12:3) and Joshua was courageous (Joshua 1:9 and Joshua 24:31) – so I pray, “Please help my future husband to be humble and courageous …”
Charles read Susannah a few lines from a book he was reading: "Seek a good wife of thy God, for she is the best gift of His providence... If thou art to have a wife of thy youth, she is now living on the earth; therefore think of her, and pray for her weal." Charles asked Susannah in a soft voice, "Do you pray for him who is to be your husband?"
"Therein, the husband acts as a tender head; and the wife, as a true spouse, realizes the model marriage-relation, and sets forth what our oneness with the Lord ought to be. She delights in her husband, in his person, his character, his affection; to her, he is not only the chief and foremost of mankind, but in her eyes he is all-in-all; her heart's love belongs to him, and to him only. She finds sweetest content and solace in his company, his fellowship, his fondness; he is her little world, her Paradise, her choice treasure. At any time, she would gladly lay aside her own pleasure to find it doubled in gratifying him. She is glad to sink her individuality in his. She seeks no renown for herself; his honor is reflected upon her, and she rejoices in it. She would defend his name with her dying breath; safe enough is he where she can speak for him. The domestic circle is her kingdom; that she may there create happiness and comfort, is her lifework; and his smiling gratitude is all the reward she seeks. Even in her dress, she thinks of him; without constraint she consults his taste and considers nothing beautiful which is distasteful to him.
A tear from his eye, because of any unkindness on her part, would grievously torment her. She asks not how her behavior may please a stranger, or how another's judgment may approve her conduct; let her beloved be content, and she is glad. He has many objects in life, some of which she does not quite understand; but she believes in them all, and anything she can do to promote them, she delights to perform. He lavishes love on her, and, in return, she lavishes love on him. Their object in life is common. There are points where their affections so intimately unite that none could tell which is first and which is second. To watch their children growing up in health and strength, to see them holding posts of usefulness and honor, is their mutual concern; in this and other matters, they are fully one. Their wishes blend, their hearts are indivisible. By degrees, they come to think very much the same thoughts. Intimate association creates conformity; I have known this to become so complete that, at the same moment, the same utterance has leaped to both their lips."
~ Charles Spurgeon
His Faith: Is he a Christian? I’ve always assumed my future husband is already a Christian, but … he might not be today; and for years I’ve prayed periodically for his salvation. We can also pray for the faith of our future husbands to grow in depth and breadth, in strength and tenacity, and also in grace. I pray that my future husband will be strong when he is tested and humble when he is refined. The faith of our future husbands will directly impact our faith, our children’s faith, our grandchildren’s faith … and the faith of countless generations to come if Jesus tarries that long.
His Walk With God: Faith is the foundation of our future husband’s walk with God, but following Jesus is an adventure – and a journey that involves lots of tests: of faith and conviction and obedience. We can pray for our future husbands to walk humbly in faith with God (Micah 6:8) – to have the faith to keep walking by faith and not by sight when it’s tough, to maintain their convictions when it’s unpopular (even with themselves!), to obey the voice of God at any cost. I pray for my future husband to care more for walking with God than walking with friends or colleagues in following the crowd in pursuit of popularity or riches.
His Heart: I often wonder about the heart of my future husband – who he is, deep down inside, alone with God. I think some people would call this “personality” or “character” or something – or maybe “soul”. I pray for my future husband to increase in his knowledge of God and maturity (Ephesians 4:13), know Jesus (Philippians 3:8 and Philippians 3:10), and be conformed to the image of Messiah (Romans 8:29). We can pray for our future husbands to have pleasant personalities and strong characters. For God to purify them of what is not pleasing to Him. And for their hearts to be true and honest and sincere.
Pray for other areas in your future husband’s life. There are other areas of our future husband’s lives that we can remember in prayer – this isn’t an exhaustive list, but examples of things we can pray for:
His Vision: Does he have a vision (Proverbs 29:18) for his faith, his life, his marriage, his family, his ministry and / or work?
His Work / Ministry: Our future husbands may be in school or college or university, they may be working, they may be serving in ministry – or even missions! – and I pray for God to bless my future husband’s efforts.
His Family Relationships: He’s a son – and maybe a brother too.
The Company He Keeps: He has pastors, teachers, mentors, friends, colleagues … and maybe hundreds of “others” on Facebook!
Wisdom: I pray that God grants my future husband wisdom in all his ways.
Purity: Purity of body, mind, heart, soul … this is important!
Generosity: Is he generous – with his time, his possessions, his money … his “self”?
Pray for your future husband from the Bible. The Bible is “God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17) – we can be inspired by the Word of God as we pray for our future husbands!
Psalm 15 says, “Lord, who may dwell in your sacred tent? Who may live on your holy mountain? The one whose walk is blameless, who does what is righteous …” (:1-2) and Psalm 112 says, “Praise the Lord. Blessed are those who fear the Lord, who find great delight in his commands …” (:1) – so I pray, “Dear God, please help my future husband to fear You and love your commands; help him to walk blamelessly and act righteously.”
David is described a man after God’s own heart (Acts 13:22) and a man who accomplished God’s will in his generation (Acts 13:36) – so I pray, “Dear God, please shape my future husband into a man after your own heart and guide him into accomplishing Your will in this generation …”
A number of the men in the Bible portray good, godly characteristics. For example, Moses was humble (Numbers 12:3) and Joshua was courageous (Joshua 1:9 and Joshua 24:31) – so I pray, “Please help my future husband to be humble and courageous …”
Charles read Susannah a few lines from a book he was reading: "Seek a good wife of thy God, for she is the best gift of His providence... If thou art to have a wife of thy youth, she is now living on the earth; therefore think of her, and pray for her weal." Charles asked Susannah in a soft voice, "Do you pray for him who is to be your husband?"
"Therein, the husband acts as a tender head; and the wife, as a true spouse, realizes the model marriage-relation, and sets forth what our oneness with the Lord ought to be. She delights in her husband, in his person, his character, his affection; to her, he is not only the chief and foremost of mankind, but in her eyes he is all-in-all; her heart's love belongs to him, and to him only. She finds sweetest content and solace in his company, his fellowship, his fondness; he is her little world, her Paradise, her choice treasure. At any time, she would gladly lay aside her own pleasure to find it doubled in gratifying him. She is glad to sink her individuality in his. She seeks no renown for herself; his honor is reflected upon her, and she rejoices in it. She would defend his name with her dying breath; safe enough is he where she can speak for him. The domestic circle is her kingdom; that she may there create happiness and comfort, is her lifework; and his smiling gratitude is all the reward she seeks. Even in her dress, she thinks of him; without constraint she consults his taste and considers nothing beautiful which is distasteful to him.
A tear from his eye, because of any unkindness on her part, would grievously torment her. She asks not how her behavior may please a stranger, or how another's judgment may approve her conduct; let her beloved be content, and she is glad. He has many objects in life, some of which she does not quite understand; but she believes in them all, and anything she can do to promote them, she delights to perform. He lavishes love on her, and, in return, she lavishes love on him. Their object in life is common. There are points where their affections so intimately unite that none could tell which is first and which is second. To watch their children growing up in health and strength, to see them holding posts of usefulness and honor, is their mutual concern; in this and other matters, they are fully one. Their wishes blend, their hearts are indivisible. By degrees, they come to think very much the same thoughts. Intimate association creates conformity; I have known this to become so complete that, at the same moment, the same utterance has leaped to both their lips."
~ Charles Spurgeon
