How do I pray for God to develop patience in my future husband?
-Pray he will turn to God and that God's peace will help him to be inwardly calm and willing to wait.
-Pray he will have a quiet and steady faithfulness to God.
-Pray he will be content in every state he finds himself in.
-Pray his eyes will be focused on things to come, rather than things he wished he had now.
-Pray he will not push for answers before the time is right.
-Pray he will trust God's sense of timing.
-Pray he will be reminded of all the times God has been patient with him.
-Pray he waits with hope and expectancy.
The Love Story
Will your love story come true? For many of you it will. Concerning your future husband it could be in the near(er) future, or like some, it could be years in the distance. It could be a quick romance. It could be a slow falling in love. It could be exactly like you pictured it or like nothing you ever dreamed. But when the day comes that your story is celebrated by your closest friends and family, you'll know that every prayer was worth it. And you might even wish you'd prayed more, because prayers are the first gifts you give to your future husband. Gifts that heaven participates in giving.
While we can't guarantee every one of you will have that type of love story, there is another type we do believe will take place. Everyone, everywhere can have a beautiful love story with her God. It begins the moment you look into His eyes, realize how much you are loved, and give your love and commitment in return.
While we cannot guarantee your prayers will lead you down the aisle to a waiting mate, we do know that every prayer whispered is precious to God. None of them are wasted. While we hope your prayers for the man of your dreams come true, we know that your prayers bring you closer to the God of your eternity. And seeing the love in His gaze is the most beautiful love story of all.
If you are to be committed to anything, be committed to preparing your heart for God's — in this way — and in every other aspect of your life. The love you'll experience will be life-changing, and the celebration in eternity is one to look forward to with all your heart.
excerpt from "Praying for Your Future Husband"
by Tricia Goyer and Robin Jones Gunn
2 comments:
As a single Christian guy, I'm not quite sure what to think of this.
I sort of hope my future wife isn't praying these things for me. In fact I hope she's not praying for me at all, or even thinking of me.
I hope she's having a good time. Exploring the world or volunteering or getting her masters' or building her career or hanging out with friends. I hope she's with a guy that's good to her, even if he's ultimately not the right fit.
I hope she's NOT waiting for me. Because life is too short to put on hold for ten years until a suitable mate comes along. It's too short to spend feeling guilty and apologizing for who God made us to be (or waiting to find out just whom and what it is God made us to be).
I hope she's not waiting for me because waiting and anticipation build expectations. And I can't live up to the expectations of a thirty year old woman who grew up on Disney princess movies. No human could.
But mostly I hope she's not waiting for me because I've been there. I've desperately wished to be married and I know how much it hurts to be consumed by that desire. I wouldn't wish that on anyone.
For whatever all that's worth...
Alexander,
I think it's great you wish your future wife to be independent, adventurous, and living life to its fullest for the right-now. I will assume most, if not all, of your comment is directed towards the "prayer list". I can see that the list may suggest women to be passive or inactive about her love life. But I don't think that's intention of the authors.
To me, the list serves two purposes. One, the list serves as a reminder for women to turn to God for provision of all things, and in this case, a male suitor and a godly one at that. I'm still learning what prayer really means, but I know that no amount of time and/or effort in prayer will be wasted because in prayer is when we're most wiling to admit that we're helpless without God. Two, the list serves as standards for both men and women to wait upon God, not on man. I don't think the authors mean for women to wait idly by for their prince charming to appear on their doorstep. On the contrary, I think it's a call to be active in their faith as they pray as well as serve in church, work, and other avenues. All the while that we're waiting, to be conscious that God is the source of love. After all, love is patient. :)
I'm saddened to hear that you wouldn't want your future wife to be thinking of you and your general welfare right now. I think it's wonderful and sweet to think that somewhere out there right now in this moment, another prayer warrior is praying and thinking of you, to wish you well and for God's blessings, protection, and provision to cover you. Well, those are my two cents. What do you think? I wish you well, friend.
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