A Prayer to Celebrate Marriage
By Lia Girard
Bible Reading
"Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken." — Ecclesiastes 4:12 (NIV)
Listen or Read Below:
As I head out of town this weekend to the third family wedding in two years, I’m reminded of my faith in this sacred institution. I’ve always believed that when you take a vow of marriage, you dedicate your life to staying true forever, through every challenge. I envision marriage as a literal fusion of two souls becoming one, so spiritually deep that being apart can physically hurt.
Yet here I am, a remarried woman.
I wrestle with this often, though I’m confident—after working through intense Christian therapy—that God led me out of my first marriage because He saw it was destroying me. I did intend my first marriage to last forever. And I know that, no matter what, marriage is always hard and worthwhile work, cared for by two imperfect people.
The reality is, though, I chose to give myself fully to someone who didn’t choose me. So, it took many years of soul-wrenching struggle and betrayal to ultimately dissolve a union that had been annulled by infidelity. And because I do realize that all fall short, including me, I also hold myself accountable. I deceived myself by effectively worshipping my earthly spouse instead of my creator.
During a long season of feeling quite unloved, I clung desperately to the hope that, although my former husband rejected me, God would not abandon me. In the three years I spent unmarried, often searching for answers during long walks out in the cold moonlight or deep in the heat of a forest, alone, I firmly re-centered my worship on God. I prayed for him to teach me what love does, the way he designed it. I prayed immeasurable gratitude for the two amazing children he blessed me with through my first marriage. I prayed that he would, in time, lead me to a union he desired for me.
Devastated by divorce, I repeated Isaiah 43:2, reminding myself that God would be with me as I passed through the deepest waters. In fact, God used what threatened to drown me as a divine time of re-dedication to the sanctity of love. Through many years of tears, I truly wrapped my heart around Him.
This is why I love the beautiful imagery of Ecclesiastes 4:12. It declares that when a union is centered on God, it is made strong. The verse is often read at weddings, although theologians also share that it can represent any relationship anchored by God. My faith encourages me to believe that this applies to my relationships with my children, friends, and neighbors, and even to the wilderness where I wandered to talk with God.
God can always heal and restore, but he desires that we participate by staying connected to Him. I am living proof that God does heal by fortifying my faith and placing me firmly within his will. At my simple, soulful wedding to my current (and forever) husband, who I’m certain God chose for me, I read portions of 1 Corinthians 13. It was my way of thanking God for proving to me that love is patient, kind, and rejoices in truth.
I don’t think anyone should rush to get married, and I believe singleness can be a joyful, meaningful choice. But because I’ve seen what God can do to reframe and work wonders in marriage, I’m offering a prayer today to celebrate it. God is fully able to lead you into a healthy union, no matter what you’ve experienced in the past.
If you sincerely ask God to guide and provide, your marriage can be an unbroken three-strand cord, strengthened by your shared faith.
Let’s Pray
Dear God,
Thank you for the beautiful, holy union of marriage. Thank you for blessing the commitment to love and honor each other forever. You are love. And we’re so fortunate that when two join together with you at the center, we can take hold of something stronger than all of us. We can experience what love actually does and what love truly means. May every marriage be blessed by your leading and refined by your glorious presence.
Amen.
Go Deeper: Could These 5 Unspoken Expectations Be Hurting Your Marriage?
Unspoken and unrealistic expectations can quietly sabotage even the strongest marriages. In this episode, Dana shares practical strategies to help you define, communicate, and realign your expectations so you and your spouse can avoid unnecessary disappointment and disconnection. If this episode helps your marriage, be sure to follow The Rebuilding Us Podcast on Apple or Spotify so you never miss an episode!
Share your reflections on today’s devotional in the Your Daily Prayer discussion on the Crosswalk Forum.
Photo Credit: ©Pexels/Jasmine Wallace Carter
Want More Encouragement for Your Day?
Story Behind is a Christian podcast sharing true stories of God at work in the lives of ordinary people: from answered prayers and unexpected miracles to everyday heroes, extraordinary courage, and the good news happening in our world today.
Each episode goes beyond the headlines to uncover the remarkable people, moments, and circumstances behind these stories. Discover how God is moving through people, families, and communities, and find hope in the places you might least expect it.
Was this resource helpful? Add Christianity.com as a trusted source for Biblical content.
