1 Timothy Chapter 3

“Those who have served well gain an excellent standing and great assurance in their faith in Christ Jesus.” I Timothy 3:13 (NIV)

Prayer for a Little Boy

​I pray for the future husband of my daughter. May he be of noble character, above reproach and FAITHFUL TO MY LITTLE GIRL IN MARRIAGE. Mold him to be temperate, self-controlled, respectable, and hospitable. Protect him from engaging in unhealthy self-indulgences and addictive behaviors. ...

Make him to be a good and wise teacher with a gentle spirit, that listens and is considerate of others. Bless him with a contented spirit that does not covet money or earthly things. Help him become a wise leader of his home and build a relationship of respect, obedience, and love with his children. I pray that he will come to know You at an early age, growing in maturity in his faith. Form him to be a man of good reputation who is honest, sincere, and not given to over-indulgences. Bless him with a deep knowledge and understanding of Your Word. Likewise, I pray my daughter will be a wife and a woman worthy of respect who is temperate and trustworthy in all things. May she never engage in malicious talk or slander, but speak gentle, life giving, and encouraging words of truth into the lives of others. Help both my daughter and her future husband serve You well, gaining in self-assurance and good standing in their faith in You. Amen.

I find it so hard to look at my little preschooler and think that someday she will hopefully become a wife and mother. Does anyone else feel the same way? When those smiles of pure child joy, or squeals of laughter pierce the air, and Sweet one scrambles to jump on my back as I squat to open the bottom kitchen cupboard, I think not of her future but relish only the sweetness of the moment. Yet, even at this age, her future cannot be ignored or pushed away for even in the daily interactions, conversations unfold unsolicited with Sweet one that spurn talks of greater depths. 

This past month, several interactions with Sweet one opened my eyes to my need to proactively and consistently begin praying for the future spouse of my little girl. I confess that the distant reality of the future lulls me to sleep when it comes to praying for my little girl’s husband-to—be instead of the wakeful awareness and ready prayer preparations that it should conjure. But, as many of you know, God has a way of ripping the wool off your eyes to reveal and smack you in the face with reality. 
     
One evening, Sweet one stood on a chair by my side at the counter in the kitchen. We were making homemade French fries with me cutting the long strips of potatoes and Sweet girl carefully lining the raw vegetables like soldier formations on the baking sheet. The radio blared in the background of our fun chatter as we worked in harmony to accomplish our end goal of crispy, salty, delicious golden french fries! 
     
“Mommy,” suddenly broke in Sweet one, tilting her chin towards me with a sparkle in her eyes, “I think about Christopher all day and all night.” She smiled wide and leaned in close to me as my hand halted in midair.

“Excuse me?” I stammered, whipping my head around to stare at Sweet one. “You, what?” my voice squeaked, wondering if I heard Little one correctly.

Sweet girl grinned wider, her eyes bright and dancing. “I’m teasing you, Momma,” she proclaimed with a laugh, “I’m just teasing you, Momma!”

​The sweet, child innocence of this exchange warmed my heart, yet, I confess, it also startled me to new awareness. Her sweet, innocent teasing hurtled me 20 years into the future and made marriage a sudden reality – one that continued to grow more real as the weeks unfolded. 
     
Just two short weeks later, an even more specific conversation transpired where Sweet one offered thoughts about what qualities she wishes her future husband to possess. One evening, right before I tucked Sweet one into bed, I called to my husband down the hall and told him I would soon be in to pray. As I closed the door and made my way to Sweet girl’s bed, I commented, “Sweet pea, I hope whenever you get married, that you and your husband will pray together.”

Sweet one looked at me curiously. “Like you and Daddy?” she asked as she stretched out on the bed.

“Yes,” I answered, reaching for the bed sheet, “and do you know what else I pray for?”

“What?” demanded my little girl, rolling over on her side to watch me closely.

I lifted the sheet over her torso and legs and settled the sheets down over her. “I pray that both you and your husband will love the Lord God with all your heart, mind, soul, and strength.” This time, I reached for the purple comforter and tucked it beneath her chin. I settled myself on the back corner of Sweet one’s bed, surprising myself at my desire to continue the conversation. Daddy and I pray that the man you marry will be a Godly husband who is kind and gentle.” A tender smile tugged on my lips as I gazed at my little preschooler snuggled beneath the covers.

“Like Daddy?” she enthused.

“Yes, Sweet pea,” my smile widened, “like Daddy.” I reached out a hand to rub her little foot under the thick folds of blanket. “I also pray that your husband will be strong and a Godly leader,” I continued.

“Like Daddy?” she asked again with excitement, wiggling under the covers.

“Yes,” I laughed, like Daddy.” 
     
Pausing a moment, I asked Sweet pea thoughtfully, “What do you want in a future husband?”

Sweet girl smiled broadly and stretched out her arms. “Silly,” she grinned, “fun, like Daddy!” 

My laughter joined Sweet girl’s giggles in the darkened room, Then I sobered a moment, “What else do you want in a future husband?” I dared asked a second time. ”Tickles,” she said decidedly, “he needs to tickle like Daddy too!”

​"Oh, Sweet pea!” I smiled big and wide at my little girl as I bent to kiss her good night, “Mommy and Daddy love you so much!”
     
​Many years still have yet to come, before Sweet one will seriously contemplate what qualities she wishes to find in a future husband; however, the time for us parents to be praying for our children’s future spouse is now. For just as our own children are growing, learning, and developing – so are their future spouses. Let us take advantage of these formative years to begin bending the knee on behalf of not just our own children, but their future mates. It is never to early to start praying.

Praying for God to shape, make, and mold our children’s future spouses physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual development. Praying for their protection, purity, and pursuits. Asking God to foster within them the fruits of the spirit of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, and self-control.

Let us use these early years to ask that God will lead and guide their future decisions and choices with the outpouring of wisdom, discernment, and insight. We can begin imploring the Lord to raise up and surround our children and their future spouses with Godly friends who mutually encourage and support one another in the Lord. For dear, fellow parents, our responsibility extends far beyond that of our own child but to the equally vital responsibility we hold to pray for our child’s future husband or wife. Commit with me today to start interceding through consistent prayer for our children’s future spouses. 

A Parent's Prayer

Lord, please help me to faithfully remember my child’s future spouse in prayer. Give me an interceding heart not just for my own child but for their future mates. Use me oh God and find me faithful.