singleness.

My last blog post was about self-love. In honor of Valentine’s Day, I wanted to write this post about singleness. In today’s day and age, relationships are surrounded by confusion. Dating is coalescent with instant gratification and as easy as swiping right on a dating app. Now there are weird “talking” stages, where at any given moment, someone can ghost you. The point of the talking stage is to avoid commitment and date casually with no expectations. As Christians, how can we remain expectant for the right person when our generation avoids expectations? How do we navigate relationships in a world of confusion? We must guide our relationships with God’s truth instead of worldly ideas.

This Valentine’s Day, you may not receive a gift of flowers or chocolate; however, the Bible defines singleness as a gift from God. In 1 Corinthians 7:7, addressing the topic of marriage and singleness, Paul states, “Each has its own gift from God, one of one kind and one of another.” A season of singleness may not seem like a gift. I understand you may be tired of being a bridesmaid and never the bride. You may feel overlooked and rejected. You long for a relationship. However, when you are single, you are free from being pulled in a million directions by the world.

Often, we view a relationship as a cure for loneliness. Only one relationship will cure your loneliness: a relationship with Jesus. Use your singleness as a platform to share with the world you are content in Christ. During a sermon, a pastor shared this quote, “You have a prophetic offering to the world by showing Jesus is enough. You don’t need a relationship.” Let that sink in. You can show the world Jesus is all you need through your singleness.

Later in this chapter, Paul tells the single, “I want you to be free from anxieties.” If singleness is a gift allowing us to be free of anxiety, why do we become anxious about being alone and not finding a relationship? In your singleness, trust in God’s perfect timing. He will use your season of singleness for good. He will prepare you for your future husband. In the preparation, pray.

Every time you long for a relationship, use it as a reminder to pray for your future husband. Here are prayers for the single person, the heartbroken person, and a future husband and wife.

Prayer for the single:

Dear God, I pray for the person reading this in a season of singleness. Please show them the only relationship that will fulfill them is one with You. Lavish them in your love and show them your timing is perfect. Help them not lower their standards because they are lonely. Remind them every failed talking stage and relationship brings them one step closer to their future spouse. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Prayer for the heartbroken:

Dear God, I pray for the person reading this who is hurting. Be their comfort. Be their healing. Jesus, you wept. You feel their heartache and see their tears. Help them cast their cares on You. In the midst of pain, let them proclaim blessed be Your name. Mend their broken heart and transform their brokenness into beauty. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Prayer for future husband:

Dear God, I pray for the future husband of the person reading this. Shape him into a man after your own heart. I pray he will pursue her with clarity and leave her without confusion. Jesus, I pray he loves you more than he ever loves his wife. Help him be strong, yet gentle. Firm, yet forgiving. Confident, yet humble. Prepare him to lead a household and to reflect your love in their relationship. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Prayer for future wife:

Dear God, I pray for the future wife of the person reading this. Shape her into a Proverbs 31 woman of God. I pray she will be a noble character wife, and that her household will not be filled with anger and strife. I pray she will work with noble hands and follow your commands. Fill her with the knowledge that charm and beauty will never last, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. Bless their marriage all of their days. In Jesus’ name, amen.