Does praying for a mate actually work?

SINGLE people seeking mates, especially those in the church, would have received among the plethora of love advice, an admonition to seek God’s intervention to provide the right spouses. Usually they are given a number of scriptures that support this action, as well as testimonials from others whose prayers have been answered. But is this actually a realistic challenge to take on in the quest to get married?

According to Rev Karl Johnson, general secretary of the Jamaica Baptist Union, whether or not praying for a spouse works depends on one’s understanding of prayer and discernment of fate and faith.He said if prayer is seen as imposing our desires on God, claiming and demanding that God must give us what we want, bargaining and trying to blackmail God to meet our desires, then an individual might find a mate. In that case, however, it may not be God answering the prayers, rather, it may just be fate.He pointed out that the difference is understanding the various levels to prayer and what it truly means to pray, exercise faith and patience.“Prayer has many dimensions, but at the very core it’s a divine gift to facilitate the aligning of our will with God’s will for us. Hence it requires openness, patience, perseverance as we seek to discern God’s will for our lives. From that perspective, praying for a husband might not result in getting one, but that may be God’s answer to the prayer — faith.”Johnson said the task of knowing the difference between faith and fate is compounded when matters of the heart fill every fibre of our being.He said in those times the devil dressed up may appear like a knight in shining armour, and the Lord dressed down may appear like the devil’s angel.In such a situation, he said the answer cannot be to make a decent guess or gaze up at the sky; instead you have to pray fervently, knowing that the God to whom you pray will take you to the right terminus.Below

All Woman shares the perspectives of various people on whether or not praying for a spouse works. 

Mark, single:No. If it did I would have a wife and two kids by now. I’m looking to settle down and have been looking for a while. 

Shanique, single:Yes, I believe it does. Yes, the devil wears Prada and can come in the form of a handsome young man who has all the qualities you’re looking for, but if you are really praying and waiting for an answer and God’s leading, I think in time those qualities will be revealed. I would further say if during your time of prayer someone approaches you, pray for God to remove the scales from your eyes and expose any hidden qualities and things that are not of Him, and wait. He will not cause you harm; however, many times we are too anxious. 

Joshua, single:Yes. But I also say if you’re praying you can look too, but be true to yourself and don’t settle for less. We all have a list of what we want and some things are a give and take, others aren’t, we know them. So pray, be true to yourself, and also look. He or she won’t come knocking at your door with a sign reading “I’m the answer to your prayers.” 

Petra, single:Tough question. I believe He does, because I’ve seen Him come through in situations that seemed impossible, but I’m 48 and single. I’ve been single for the past 20 years and I’m looking for a spouse too. So I’ve sort of stopped praying for one. Don’t think it will happen. I’ve honestly given up the quest. I dated for over 10 years and men came, but eventually I saw that there was incompatibility. At other times there was infidelity or straight out fraud. Now I’m wondering if I must remain single and just be content with the fact that mi nuh have no man. 

Marion, married:Yes, but it takes a level of patience and understanding that His timing is not your timing. That’s the tough part. You know they say God a plan and man a wipe out. The other thing is, while praying, just know that God’s plans are never to harm you. 

Wayne, married:Yes. All prayer works, the true question is whether it is guaranteed to be in your favour. 

Nicola, married:Well, I never prayed for my husband, I just went out and chose the best guy from a number that I was dating. 

Andrew, married:I believe He answers prayers, but He also equips us to work for what we want. Go out there and seek your spouse, and ladies, be mentally strong enough to know what is real love differently from someone who just wants a fling.— KIMBERLEY HIBBERT