Praying for Your Future Husband {Part-1}

So today I want to talk about prayer, and specifically I want to talk about praying for your future husband. Over the past few years the concept has followed me, but I never really thought much about it. My mom's always said she prays God will bring me the right man. My grandmother has said the same thing. Countless people at churches have even made comments along the lines of, "we pray God brings a good Christian man into your life."  However, I had never personally considered praying for my future husband until a few months back.  

It all started when I began reading a stack of christian books for reviews. Most of the books focused on modesty, serving God as a young woman, and courtship. One thing I found in all three categories was this concept of praying for your future husband. Yes, you, me, single girls and women praying for our future husbands. Not your parents, grandparents, or other christian leaders. Of course having their support through prayer is a huge blessing and certainly not something to be over looked, but if you don't take part in those prayers then you're missing out on a whole different type of blessing.

Now first off, these books defined something. They defined the difference between praying for A future husband and praying for YOUR future husband. Trust me, there's a huge difference. Praying for a future husband is basically asking God to show you who He wants you to spend the rest of your life with. Whereas praying for your future husband is a lot more personal. This type of prayer is focused directly on your husband. Its not a prayer to find him, but a prayer for him.

Okay, I'll admit it. When I first read 'pray for him' my mind was boggled. How on earth can I pray for someone I don't even know yet? Why should I pray for him, I don't know anything about him? But those questions were putting a limit on God's power, not to mention putting the spotlight on my feeble faith. That's when I decided this was something I needed to do. My sin nature (or at least the questioning part) was trying to pull me away from something. I wanted to know what that something was.

So there I was ready to start praying for my future husband, but there was still a big issue. What should I pray for him? Since we don't know each other how can I know what he's struggling with or what he needs? Silly me. Sometimes we can be so blind can't we? The answer was right there in the books and in the scriptures. Modesty is a very big issue in this modern world. Every single one of us struggle with it, boys and girls alike. There was an answer! I could pray that God would help to keep my future husband pure, and not only physically, but also mentally and spiritually. How about serving God? The top qualification for my future husband is he must be a born again believer. However, one can be a christian and not serve God. That's not something I want in a husband. I want a strong leader, one that will lead a household both physically and spiritually. There was something else I could pray for!  This was a prayer that God will lead my future husband and help him to grown into a servant of God. But what about courtship? How does that affect my future husband? Admittedly this one took a lot of searching, until I realized that courtship was a conviction laid upon my parent's heart through scripture. I want my future husband to be a man of God's Word. I could pray that my future husband will treasure God's word and not just read it on Sundays. I pray that he will diligently read the word of God and turn to it for guidance. 

It turns out that I was off to a pretty good start. Since then new doors and new prayers have been opened up to me, some of which I hope to share with you in part two of 'Praying for Your Future Husband'. Until then I want to end this post by encouraging you to pray for your own future husband. Not only has it strengthened my relationship with God, but it's also laid down a firm foundation for a relationship later on in life. After all shouldn't the most beautiful relationship be one centered and focused around God? If a relationship that hasn't even formed yet is already so focused on God then I think something very beautiful will become of it. Now my only prayer is that young men of God are praying for their own future wives. I think it can safely be said that we are all in need of those prayers.

On Courting

 

 Hello all. Today I'm going to talk a little bit on courtship. Not everyone shares the same views as me, and I'm not going to be all judgmental about it if you don't. This is another one of those personal conviction things. But I thought I would share a little bit about this with you guys.

 I'm the girl who gets all the weird looks when this situation happens. People ask me if I have a boyfriend, and I answer with a "No." They ask why not, and I answer that I'm waiting for the guy that God meant for me to come along, and when I do get in a relationship it will be with the intention of marriage. Let the weird looks begin. ;)

There are many different opinions on what courtship is. Some say it's basically dating. But this article is about what I believe courtship is.

 My parents dated each other, kissed, etc. before they got married. Now, almost 25 years later, they wished they hadn't. They realized that if they had waited for some of those things, it would have been much sweeter.

 So, when my sister, Charity was old enough to talk about that sort of thing, my parents sat down with her. They asked her if she'd be willing to wait, and she agreed. My sister's story is really wonderful- hopefully she won't mind me sharing with all of you. ;)

 We're very good friends with another family that also believes in courtship. Charity, and the oldest son in that family were best friends since they were about fourteen going on fifteen, and fifteen going on sixteen. God told both of them at one point or another, that they would marry each other. My sister didn't want to believe it- she thought of him as her younger friend- but he took it a bit more seriously. When he was almost nineteen, his parents finally decided he was ready to ask about courting my sister. By this time, Charity had realized that she really did like him, but she didn't want to let anything get in the way of her relationship with God, and told the Lord she was willing to give up her friendship with him, if that was His will.

 One night, my parents got a telephone call from him. He asked if he could court my sister. My parents talked to Charity, who said yes when she realized it was actually God's will to become even greater friends with Beau. They had a courtship that lasted almost a year. Then he blindfolded her, walked her up a mountain, and showed her a giant glowing cross before kneeling, and asking her to marry him. She said yes. :) They've been married for going on two years this month, have a beautiful little daughter, and a son on the way.

 My parents never really had that talk with me, but I've made the decision based on many things. Their wisdom, my sister's experience, books I've read. (Preparing to be a Helpmeet) The decision isn't being forced on me, but I feel like it's the right thing for me to do.

 Here are some things my family does in courtship.

 Courtship is to get to know someone with the intention of marriage. My sister and bro-in-law talked on the phone a lot, and got to know each other more then they did as just friends.

 My sister and bro-in-law didn't kiss, and neither will I. O.O But how will you know if you have 'sparks?!?!' Don't worry. I plan on praying about it just like my sister did. The Lord will let you know if someone is the right one.

They didn't hold hands either. WHAT???? This isn't a courtship principle that everyone follows, but my sister and bro-in-law wanted to keep their relationship pure in the sight of God. They realized that holding hands, (and kissing for that matter) could lead to things that would not please the Lord. Once they were engaged they did hold hands, though.

 We will have a chaperon. Isn't that a little strict? Not really. Having a chaperon helps the two individuals not get caught up in anything that wouldn't glorify Christ. And it's always fun to be the third wheel who gets to do fun stuff. ;)

 So that's a little bit on courtship. There are other reasons I've decided to court, and if you want to know any more about it, just ask in the comments. Once again, courtship is MY choice. If you don't feel that way, do not feel bad.

 I hope you've enjoyed learning a little about courtship. :)

Genesis 2:24  Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.

 God bless!