The Power of Prayer in Relationships

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Preparing for a Godly Marriage

When I was a teenager, I thought love would complete me. Like many girls, I dreamed about the perfect guy—one who would love me unconditionally, sweep me off my feet, and fill every empty place in my heart. But by the time I turned fifteen, I’d already experienced heartbreak, disappointment, and regret.

I was searching for love, but I was searching in all the wrong places. After one broken relationship after another, I found myself alone, hurting, and wondering if I’d ever find a man who truly loved me. That’s when I learned something life-changing: before I could love someone else well, I needed to surrender my heart to God completely.

That surrender led me to something even more powerful—I began to pray for my future husband. Not just a one-time, “God, please send me the perfect guy” prayer, but daily prayers for his heart, his faith, and his future.

And something incredible happened. My prayers didn’t just impact the man I would one day marry—they changed me.

If you’re longing for a godly marriage, let me encourage you: start praying now. Even if you don’t know his name yet, God does. And your prayers today will help build the foundation of the marriage you’ll have tomorrow.

Why Should You Pray for Your Future Spouse?

It’s easy to get caught up in the idea of “finding the right person,” but have you ever thought about becoming the right person? Prayer does exactly that. When you commit to praying for your future spouse, three amazing things happen:

1. Prayer Aligns Your Heart with God’s Will

We all have dreams for our future, but God’s plans are always better. Praying for your future spouse helps you surrender your own desires and trust that God’s timing and choice for your life are perfect.

"God proves to be good to the man who passionately waits, to the woman who diligently seeks." (Lamentations 3:25, The Message)

2. Prayer Prepares You for Marriage

Marriage is more than romance—it’s a lifelong commitment. Praying for your future spouse also means praying for yourself. Ask God to shape your heart, refine your character, and prepare you to be a godly husband or wife.

3. Prayer Builds a Spiritual Foundation for Your Relationship

Long before you ever meet your future spouse, prayer creates a covering over your future marriage. It invites God to work in both of your lives, setting you both on the right path.

How to Pray Specifically for Your Future Spouse

It’s one thing to pray, “Lord, bless my future husband.” It’s another thing to pray with purpose and intention. Here are key areas to focus on when praying for your future spouse:

1. Pray for His (or Her) Heart

Ask God to make your future spouse’s heart soft toward Him. Pray that they would seek God first in everything.

Prayer Example: Lord, I pray that my future husband will love You above all else. Give him a heart that desires to follow You fully. Draw him closer to You every day.

2. Pray for Their Character

Character matters more than charm. Pray that your future spouse will grow in wisdom, patience, integrity, and faithfulness.

Prayer Example: Lord, help my future husband develop a heart of kindness, patience, and honesty. Shape him into a man who walks in integrity.

3. Pray for Their Relationships

Surroundings influence our hearts. Pray that your future spouse will have godly friends, mentors, and a strong faith community.

Prayer Example: Lord, I ask that my future spouse is surrounded by godly influences. May they have wise friends and mentors who encourage them to walk in Your truth.

4. Pray for Their Spiritual Growth

A strong marriage is built on a shared faith. Pray that your future spouse will continue growing in their relationship with Jesus.

Prayer Example: Lord, I pray that my future husband will have a deep hunger for Your Word. May he trust You in all things and grow stronger in faith each day.

5. Pray for Their Challenges

Your future spouse will face struggles before you meet them. Pray that God will strengthen them through every difficulty.

Prayer Example: Lord, whatever my future husband is facing today, I ask that You would be His comfort and strength. Give him faith to overcome every trial.

A Prayer Activity: Writing a Letter to Your Future Spouse

One of the most powerful ways I prepared for marriage was by writing prayers in a journal for my future husband.

Try this:

• Write a letter to your future spouse.
• Pray over it and ask God to bless him (or her) in every area of their life.
• Keep the letter as a reminder of your commitment to pray.

Who knows? One day, you may give that letter to your spouse as a testimony of God’s faithfulness.

Personal Preparation: Becoming Who You Are Praying For

Before I met my husband, John, I spent years praying for him. But God also revealed something to me: I needed to grow too.

If you desire a godly spouse, ask yourself:
✅ Am I growing in my relationship with God?
✅ Am I developing the character I want in my future husband/wife?
✅ How am I preparing my heart for marriage?

You attract the kind of person you are becoming. So instead of just praying for the right one—focus on becoming the right one.

Final Thoughts: Trusting God’s Timing

I know waiting is hard. There were times when I wondered if I would ever meet the right guy. But looking back, I see that God’s timing was perfect.

"Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns." (Philippians 4:6, The Message)

Wherever you are in your journey, keep praying. Keep growing. Keep trusting. God sees your heart, and He is writing a beautiful love story—one that is beyond anything you could imagine.

FAQs About Prayer for Your Future Spouse

1. When should I start praying for my future spouse?

It’s never too early to start! Even if marriage is years away, your prayers are preparing both your heart and theirs.

2. What if I’m already in a relationship? Should I still pray?

Absolutely! Praying together (and individually) is one of the best ways to strengthen a godly relationship.

3. How do I know if someone is the one God has for me?

Pray for wisdom and discernment. If your relationship honors God, aligns with His Word, and brings peace, it’s a good sign.

4. Can I pray for specific qualities in my future spouse?

Yes! Just be open to God shaping both you and your future spouse according to His perfect will.

5. What if I feel like God isn’t answering my prayers?

Trust that God is working behind the scenes. His timing is perfect, and He is preparing something wonderful for you.

💛 Friend, don’t give up on praying for your future husband or wife. Keep seeking God, keep trusting, and know that His plan for your love story is better than anything you could dream of.

Resources for You

Praying For Your Future Husband

From when we were small girls, most of us dream of “The One,” our future husband. We think about what it would be like to be a bride. We wonder who that special guy is and when we’ll find him. The great news is that what you do now can make a difference in your life and the life of your future husband.

Authors and good friends Robin Jones Gunn and Tricia Goyer believe God answers women’s prayers for husbands–even husbands they may not meet for years. They invite young women to pray boldly for their future mate … while also asking God to prepare their own hearts.

Praying for Your Future Husband is perfect for women of all ages who are dreaming about “The One.” God has a beautiful romance prepared for you. Prayer is the key to unlocking the love story … with your future husband and with God, the lover of your soul.

Before You Meet Your Future Husband

Robin Jones Gunn teams up with author and teen advocate Tricia Goyer on a devotional for young single women to help them establish God-honoring thinking and beliefs that will lay a firm foundation for their future marriage.

Movies, television, and novels feature glamorous portrayals of dating and marriage, giving us unrealistic expectations of what true love looks like. A beautiful counterpoint to those dreamy fantasies, Before You Meet Your Future Husband focuses on the areas you, as a young woman, need to address in preparing for marriage.

This uplifting, interactive devotional helps you approach dating from a place of peace and strength, whether you’re in a relationship now or simply hope to be married one day. With a focus on your own transformation, Before You Meet Your Future Husband offers biblical guidance, real-life stories, thought-provoking questions, and intentional prayers to help you prepare now for the future God has in store for you.

Faith That Sticks

In Faith that Sticks, Tricia Goyer and Leslie Nunnery share five real-life discipleship building blocks for raising preteens. The book’s five key areas—prayer, Bible reading, family relationships, conversation, and service—provide a clear roadmap for parents who feel overwhelmed or unequipped.

Using personal stories and examples, Tricia and Leslie’s relatable experiences acknowledge that while the journey isn’t always easy, it’s always worth it. They offer creative and practical ideas and activities that parents, caregivers, or mentors can implement in each of the five key areas, helping them feel more confident in their spiritual roles.