Praying for Clarity on God's Will in Dating Relationships
Praying for clarity on God's will in dating relationships involves seeking divine direction and understanding, a practice rooted in broader biblical principles of prayer and discernment. Prayer is understood as converse with God, a direct address to Him, whether oral or mental [6]. It is a means by which believers can seek God's teaching and direction in various aspects of life [3].
The Bible encourages believers to seek God's heart and thoughts. Psalm 139:23 states, "Search me, God, and know my heart. Try me, and know my thoughts" [2]. This reflects a desire for God to examine and guide one's inner being, which is crucial when making significant life decisions like choosing a partner. The heart is considered the source of life's issues, and God is said to try, know, and search it, as well as understand its thoughts [7].
Scripture also highlights the importance of love and unity within relationships. Paul prays for believers to "increase and abound in love" for one another [12]. This love is to be accompanied by "knowledge and all discernment," enabling individuals to "approve the things that are excellent" [9]. Such discernment is vital in dating, as it helps in understanding God's design for relationships. Marriage itself is often used in the Bible as a symbol for the covenant relationship between God and His people [11]. Jesus emphasized that God delights in marriage as the creation of a new union where two become one, and His will is for this union not to be split apart [10].
For those who are unmarried, the Apostle Paul notes that they can be "concerned for the things of the Lord, how he may please the Lord" [5]. This suggests a focus on God's will and pleasing Him, which extends to decisions about dating and marriage. Prayer in such contexts can be for God to "make straight" or lead one's heart, reflecting an Old Testament expression found in passages like 1 Chronicles 29:18 and Proverbs 23:19 [8]. Through God's Word and prayer, things are sanctified [1]. Believers are encouraged to pray for an "assurance of understanding" to "know the mystery of God, both of the Father and of Christ" [4]. This pursuit of understanding extends to personal relationships, seeking God's guidance in forming unions that reflect His will and bring Him glory.
Sources
- I Timothy “I Timothy 4:5 (LITV) — for through God's Word and prayerful intercourse, it is sanctified.”
- Psalms “Search me, God, and know my heart. Try me, and know my thoughts. -- Psalms 139:23”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Affliction, Prayer Under — Exhortation to -- Jas 5:13. That God would consider our trouble -- 2Ki 19:16; Ne 9:32; Ps 9:13; La 5:1. For the presence and support of God -- Ps 10:1; 102:2. That the Holy Spirit may not be withdrawn -- Ps 51:11. For divine comfort -- Ps 4:6; 119:76. For mitigation of troubles -- Ps 39:12,13. For deliverance -- Ps 25:17,22; 39:10; Isa 64:9-12; Jer 17:14. For pardon and deliverance from sin -- Ps 39:8; 51:1; 79:8. That we may be turned to God -- Ps 80:7; 85:4-6; Jer 31:18. For divine teaching and direction -- Job 34:32; Ps 27:11; 143:10. Fo”
- Colossians “that their hearts may be comforted, they being knit together in love, and gaining all riches of the full assurance of understanding, that they may know the mystery of God, both of the Father and of Christ, -- Colossians 2:2”
- 1 Corinthians “But I desire to have you to be free from cares. He who is unmarried is concerned for the things of the Lord, how he may please the Lord; -- 1 Corinthians 7:32”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Prayer — Is converse with God; the intercourse of the soul with God, not in contemplation or meditation, but in direct address to him. Prayer may be oral or mental, occasional or constant, ejaculatory or formal. It is a "beseeching the Lord" (Ex. 32:11); "pouring out the soul before the Lord" (1 Sam. 1:15); "praying and crying to heaven" (2 Chr. 32:20); "seeking unto God and making supplication" (Job 8:5); "drawing near to God" (Ps. 73:28); "bowing the knees" (Eph. 3:14). Prayer presupposes a belief in the personality of God, his ability and willingness to hold inter”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Heart, The — Issues of life are out of -- Pr 4:23. God Tries. -- 1Ch 29:17; Jer 12:3. Knows. -- Ps 44:21; Jer 20:12. Searched. -- 1Ch 28:9; Jer 17:10. Understands the thoughts of. -- 1Ch 28:9; Ps 139:2. Ponders. -- Pr 21:2; 24:12. Influences. -- 1Sa 10:26; Ezr 6:22; 7:27; Pr 21:1; Jer 20:9. Creates a new. -- Ps 51:10; Eze 36:26. Prepares. -- 1Ch 29:18; Pr 16:1. Opens. -- Ac 16:14. Enlightens. -- 2Co 4:6; Eph 1:18. Strengthens. -- Ps 27:14. Establishes. -- Ps 112:8; 1Th 3:13. Should be Prepared to God. -- 1Sa 7:3. Given to God. -- Pr 23:26. Perfect with God. -- 1Ki 8:”
- 2 Thessalonians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 2 Thessalonians 3:5: 3:5 The prayer that God would lead (literally make straight) their hearts reflects an Old Testament expression (1 Chr 29:18; Prov 23:19). Christians are expected to love as God loves and practice patient endurance as Christ endured.”
- CCEL/NPNF (Eastern Orthodox) “John Chrysostom, Homilies on Galatians–Colossians–Thessalonians: Homily II. Philippians i. 8–11 “For God is my witness, how I long after you all in the tender mercies of Jesus Christ. And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and all discernment; that ye may approve the things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and void of offense unto the day of Christ; being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are through Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.” He calls not God to witness as though he should be doubted, but does this from his great ”
- Mark (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Mark 10:5: 10:5-9 God permitted divorce as a concession to the hard hearts of the people. But God’s will is more aptly expressed in the passages that Jesus quotes from the law of Moses (Gen 1:27; 2:23-24; see also Mal 2:16). Jesus shows that God delights in marriage, which is the creation of a new union in which two become one. No one should rebel against God’s will by seeking to split apart what God has united.”
- Ezek (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Ezek 23:4: 23:4 Marriage is commonly used in the Bible as a symbol for the covenant relationship between God and his people (e.g., Isa 54:1-8; Eph 5:22-33). Adultery symbolizes Israel’s spiritual unfaithfulness (e.g., Hos 1–3). God makes his covenants in spite of, not because of, his people’s character (Rom 5:6-11).”
- 1 Thessalonians (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on 1 Thessalonians 3:12: Make you to increase and abound in love - They had already love to each other, so as to unite them in one Christian body; and he prays that they may have an increase and an abundance of it; that they might feel the same love to each other which he felt for them all.”