Ephesians, Chapter 5 Part Two

​“Husbands, love your wives just as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her, to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the Word and to present her to Himself as a radiant church , without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless.” (Ephesians 5:25-27)

A Prayer for My Daughter

May You prepare my daughter’s future spouse. Build him up to be a strong spiritual leader. Teach him to love my Sweet Girl as Christ loves the church. ...

Cleanse him through the washing of Your Word and keep their hearts and bodies pure, holy, and blameless for You, oh God, and for each other. Under the bonds of marriage, prepare him to leave his parents and cleave to my daughter as one flesh. And teach my daughter to respect and honor her future husband.

“Mommy, when will I get married?” asked my preschool Little One.

We were cozy on the soft carpet in her bedroom, just getting ready for bedtime prayers. She sat on my lap, cuddling into my arms. I was glad she sat facing forward and could not see the look of panic on my face! Good thing Daddy’s not here to listen to this conversation, I mentally thanked the Lord.

“A long time from now,” I answered, “when you are much, much, much older.”

Little girl twisted the wedding band on my left ring finger.

“When will I have a husband?” she persisted, touching the diamond on my engagement ring.

Where is this coming from? I wondered and then quickly sent up a silent plea for help. Turning my Sweet One around to face me, I smiled and hugged her close. Taking a deep breath, I plunged in.

“God is preparing a husband for you, sweet pea. Mommy and Daddy pray for your future husband too,” I paused, “that God would teach him how to be a strong spiritual leader like Daddy and that your future husband would love, treasure, and cherish you.” I kissed her on the top of her head and wrapped my arms around her.

​Leaning into my embrace, my daughter sighed in contentment, “then I will be a wife like you, Mommy.”

​It is never too early to pray for your child’s future spouse. Will he love my daughter, treat her with respect, and lead her with spiritual strength?

I believe that one of the greatest ways we can show love is by praying for our children's future spouses. Pray that the Lord will protect their minds, bodies, hearts, and spirits from harm, that He will provide godly and encouraging friendships, and that our child’s future spouse will learn to love the Lord with all their hearts, minds, souls, and strength.

​We may not be able to control who our child chooses as a future spouse, but we certainly possess the power to intercede for whom they will marry decades and years before they even meet. Just think, if we commit to praying now for our children’s future spouses, at this early stage of development and tender age, how God can use the unfolding years before us to shape, mold, and create a man or woman after God’s own heart! Why wouldn’t we, as parents, want to give that extra protective shield of prayer over our child’s future spouse? As we pray scripture over our children, let us take that one additional second to also include prayer for our children’s future spouse.

A Prayer for Myself

Dear Lord,
Help me to treat my husband with respect so that I might provide an example of a godly and loving marriage to my Little One. Forgive me for the many times my tongue and actions have not honored and respected my husband. Change my heart, oh God, and change my ways so that You will be honored and glorified. Bless my marriage and teach us to love, honor, cherish, and respect each other.