"The whole reason why we pray is to be united into the vision and contemplation of God to whom we pray." - Julian of Norwich

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"Prayer, then, is a matter of our participating in the life of Jesus Christ." - Michael Casey

"Prayer is the inner bath of love which into the soul plunges itself." - St. John Vianney

"Whether we realize it or not, prayer is the encounter of God's thirst with ours. God thirsts that we may thirst for him." - St. Augustine

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"Work as if everything depends on you. Pray as if everything depends on God." - St. Ignatius Loyola

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"True prayer is neither a mere mental exercise nor a vocal performance. It is far deeper than that. It is a spiritual transaction with the creator of Heaven and Earth." - Charles Spurgeon

"Prayer should be the key of the day and the lock of the night."- George Herbert

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Exercise

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Now if any of these stuck out to you, stop, pause,wonder and ask yourself why. How does this new understanding of prayer and what stuck out to you contrast about your current prayer life? Is your prayer life one-way? Two-way? Always conversational in nature? Is it distracted? 

• Talking to God 
• Talking with God
• Listening to God
• Being with God

This is a prayer that would most likely fall under a prayer talking to God or a prayer called a petition or intercession. Petition is asking God to do something on OUR behalf. Intercession is when we ask God to do something on SOMEONE ELSE’S behalf. When talking about praying for your future spouse it’s a combination of these. You’re petitioning God to do something on YOUR behalf, while also interceding and asking God to do something on SOMEONE ELSE’S behalf. Your motivation for that prayer is extremely important. Your heart behind your prayer for your future spouse is maybe the most important thing about praying for your future spouse. 

Asking should be the essence of prayer because prayer brings us to the END of OUR power and to the beginning of GOD’S power. Prayer is the acknowledgement that I am at the end of my string, and I’m waving the white flag, I don’t have the power, knowledge, or understanding. 

"We are not merely passive set pieces in a prearranged cosmic drama, but we are active participants with God in the writing, directing, design, and action that unfolds. Prayer, therefore, is much more than asking God for this or that outcome. It is drawing into communion with him and there taking up our privileged role as his people. In prayer, we are invited to join him in directing the course of his world.” - Dallas Willard

God is always forming. Often the ways our prayers get answered is YOU getting changed. If there is a fulcrum point of prayer, it is how you open your innermost soul to the grace that comes in transforms, heals, installs and builds in your life.

This Changes Everything

Why do you want to pray for your future spouse? Who is this prayer for?
Is it out of longing? Fantasy about your future wife? What can they do for you?

The Bible has no clear scripture anywhere on specifically praying for your spouse. JJ personally, still doesn’t enjoy the notion of praying for your spouse if those questions are not being answered honestly. If god’s only role in your dating life is to deliver “the oone” then he is not your God, you are.

Now we’re not condemning you but if this is the role of Jesus in your life then you do not need to be dating right now. If Jesus is not the God of your life then marriage should be the last thing you desire. That is the counterfeit God you are looking for to satisfy A God desire.

Now if your prayer for the one is a struggle, a wrestle, then yes, we’re with you.

First, not only is it a petition for your spouse, but it also cements your vision for your marriage and what you want. You want a spouse who loves Jesus dearly, who walks in His ways. You want a partner who is praying for everything and depending on God the way you are literally practicing! If you want somebody who is incredibly fit not just for me to admire, but as I practice my fitness I am defining by practice what I am desiring. I know without a doubt when I encounter someone who is serious because I am practicing. 

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Second, praying for your spouse is simultaneously releasing control, desire and building contentment. My prayer for my spouse is a release that God has got this, you are in control of their life and mine, you got this… NOT ME. Your contentment is a natural byproduct of experiencing Jesus. He is the bread of life that satisfies. The intimacy and fellowship we thirsted for in marriage is filled. 

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Third, prayer builds the foundation of your life now and your future marriage. It’s an investment that carries directly into your life today and your future marriage. If you are practicing praying for your spouse right now, what do you think you are going to do in marriage? Pray for and with your spouse. 

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Example of a Prayer that intercedes, that surrenders and lays before God… is next week :)