Praying Through Your Engagement

I couldn't believe it. Looking down at my shaking (and now sparkling!) left hand, then up at the face of my smiling best friend, I realized it really happened: I was engaged.

Engagement is a beautiful season in the lives of many women. And, as with every season, we are called to walk through it with God.

Praying through Engagement

Whether your engagement is a few short months or over a year, this time affords you a unique opportunity to grow with the Lord as you prepare for your vocation. Here are some tips for praying through this exciting time!

Praying for Your Fiancé

Each morning when I wake up, I put on my engagement ring. One of the easiest ways I remember to pray is to associate it with a habit or something I do naturally, so I've also tried to attach a prayer to this small gesture.

When I pick up my ring off my bedside table, I say a quick prayer for my fiancé. It's very short and sweet. I briefly thank God for him and ask the Lord to bless him that day and guide our relationship towards Him. It only takes 30 seconds, but it is a powerful reminder that keeps me focused on the Lord as we journey towards the Sacrament of Marriage.

Consider finding a way that works for you to keep your fiancé in your prayers daily.

Praying Together

The time of engagement can be both a sweet and sometimes stressful season! As you begin participating in marriage prep at your parish, creating guest lists, and planning for your future, a lot is put on your plate. Remember to take time together to pray.

One of my favorite things to do is go to Adoration with my fiancé. It's a quiet time out from all the busyness and noise that often fills our lives. Whether it's Adoration, a daily Rosary, or just praying together at the end of the day, try to find time and explore new ways to experience prayer together.

Planning with the Lord

Tell the Lord everything. From your feelings to your wedding plans. It can feel silly. But the God Who created the universe is intimately interested in every aspect of your life, including your marriage and wedding.

As Jesus revealed to Saint Faustina, "I am concerned with every beat of your heart." And He's concerned with every beat of your heart as well. Nothing is ever too big or too small for His attention.

A lot is going on in your heart during this time of transition as you are grown, stretched, and refined in many ways. Make sure He has access to all of it. Talk to Him about your hopes, fears, insecurities, and dreams. Tell Him about the caterer you're excited about, your honeymoon plans, and your budget stresses. He wants it all.

Give Him the joy of walking through this journey with you.

Remain with Him

Before you were ever a fiancé, you were a daughter. His daughter. And even now, as you're preparing to journey from fiancé to wife, you still are His daughter! Continue to build your relationship with the Lord by remaining committed to your prayer routine.

Spend time with Him in whatever way you enjoy best and allow Him to continue to fill you up and love you in the ways that only He can. Spend time with Him in the Gospels or the chapel (or better yet, try to visit Him more frequently in daily Mass!). You won't regret spending that extra time with Him as you get ready to fully enter into your vocation.

No matter what your engagement looks like, the Lord has a personal invitation to intimacy for you. I pray you can take full advantage of this unique and special time to draw closer to Him than ever before.

Any other engaged ladies out there? How do you pray with and for your future husband?

 

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Shelby Hennen is a young professional who hails from the Midwestern metropolis of Kansas City MO. She loves a good book, a good chat with a friend and a good taco joint.