A Prayer for Singles

Over the years, multiple readers have asked me to make a Prayer for Singles. Some requests came from parents who wanted something to pray over their single sons or daughters. Another person asked for a prayer to pray for her single friends. I also heard from several readers who were single themselves and hoping a prayer guide would give direction to the prayers they were voicing on their own behalf.

So I created several different versions in response to all those different requests. And since February 15 is National Singles Awareness Day, this seems like the perfect time to share what I’ve come up with.

Of course, some people remain unmarried by choice, but the vast majority of singles I know — and especially single women — have a deep and persistent longing to be married. Yet they’ve never met a suitable life partner who was interested in them.

Perhaps they’ve prayed for years that God would send them a godly spouse, but to no apparent avail. It is hard not to grow discouraged in such circumstances. Hard not to wonder why God has turned a deaf ear to your pleas. Hard to shake the feeling that maybe you are being punished for something. Hard not to despair of ever finding love.

Romans 8:25-27 speaks to hard situations like this. It reads,

I love the fact that the Spirit prays on our behalf whenever we are too weak or weary or distraught to even know where to begin pouring our heart out to God. But I also love that, in moments of clarity, we can pray according to the will of God by praying His Word over whatever situation is troubling us.

The plight of my single sons and daughters is one I routinely take to the throne of Grace. Here is a generic version of the Biblically-based prayers I pray. However, when you click on the download button, you’ll get all four renditions of the printable so you can choose whichever format best fits your particular circumstance.

A Prayer for Singles

Heavenly Father, I ask that You would please strengthen and equip my unmarried friends and enable them to :

Serve the Lord with gladness

God, cultivate in my unmarried friends an undivided devotion to You. Sanctify them in both body and spirit. Give them meaningful work to do during their single years. Help them do that work patiently, cheerfully, wholeheartedly, without grumbling or complaining, always being mindful of the fact that they are serving You rather than man. – 1 Corinthians 7:32-35; Ephesians 6:7; Philippians 2:14; Colossians 3:23

Invest their time wisely

LORD, train my single friends to pray with the Psalmist, “Teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts to wisdom.” Life is so short; don’t let them squander time, but invest it prudently. May they pay careful attention to how they walk, acting wisely toward their fellow man and redeeming the time. – Psalm 90:12, 39:5; James 4:14-15; Proverbs 1:2-3; Ephesians 5:15-16; Colossians 4:5

Nurture relationships w/family & friends

God, it’s not good for man to be alone, so You set the lonely in families. Your Word says, “Two are better than one, for they have a good return for their labor.” Surround the singles I know with a community of friends and family members who will sharpen and encourage them and help carry their burdens – Psalm 68:6; Genesis 2:18; Ecclesiastes 4:9; Proverbs 27:7; 1 Thessalonians 5:11; Galatians 6:2

Glorify God in everything

LORD, whether my single friends eat or drink or whatever they do, may it all be done for Your glory and honor. May they walk in a worthy manner, pleasing You in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work, and ever increasing in the knowledge of God. Let their light shine so brightly that others would see their good deeds & glorify Your name.- 1 Corinthians 10:31; Colossians 1:10; Matthew 5:16

Let their requests be made known to God

Jesus, You said if we ask anything in Your name, You will do it. “Delight yourself in the LORD,” the psalmist wrote, “ and He will give you the desires of your heart.” LORD, teach my single friends to pray specifically and boldly approach Your throne. Reassure them that You love and care for them and want them to cast their anxiety upon You. – John 14:13-14; Psalm 37:4; Hebrews 4:16; 1 Peter 5:7

Encourage the downtrodden

LORD, turn the focus of my single friends outward. May they consider not only their own personal interests, but also the interests of others. May they daily encourage those around them and think of ways to spur others on to love and good works. Help them uplift the fainthearted, help the weak, and be patient with everyone. – Philippians 2:4; Hebrews 3:13, 10:24-25; 1 Thessalonians 5:14

Stay hopeful

God, help these singles hold fast to the confession of their hope without wavering. May they find their sense of purpose and belonging in You alone. Don’t let their zeal subside nor let them be put to shame, but keep them rejoicing in all circumstances, clinging to Your testimonies, and trusting You to work all things together for good. – Hebrews 10:23; Philippians 4:4; Psalm 119:31; Romans 12:1, 8:28