In Need for Bride's Prayer Topics!

I got my internet back and guess what happened because of it? Judging by the lack of posts, I slacked and got lazy. March just isn't turning out to be my month. You may have also read in my ramblings that I have been taking a course in Personal Training and I got a certification exam looming ahead in just under two months! Here's to better time management so that I can keep this blog updated and not neglected. Oh and my inbox still has cobwebs, so I got a lot of emails to catch up with! Ugh!

Anyway, the weekly challenges are still coming mid-March and I have to tell you I am actually nervous about those! I'm going to try something different/new and you'll see what I mean when the first challenge pops up (probably on the 18th!)

Now, I'd be lying if I didn't say I needed a bit of help with some things and that is where you, my lovely readers, come in! The Bride's Prayer series is one I am proud to have around here and I want to keep it around but I have a hard time these days coming up with topics for them. I'm asking for your help!

Please help me! 

It is easy, if you have any ideas or concerns that I could address in the series please let me know. Also, you never know when a topic touched on touches someone on the day they happen to read it. I love when God does that!

If you are new around here and need a bit more info on what Bride's Prayer is about, check out the Bride's Prayer tab as seen in the navigation menu above. 

Please comment below with your ideas for topics and issues. You can post anonymously if you like or you can fill out the anonymous Bride's Prayer Request form. :-) You can draw from your own personal feelings and experiences or from others. 

Many, many thanks in advance and I'll work on my end to brainstorm ideas to post for you all!

Happy weekend and here's to hoping that technology doesn't make a liar out of me again! lol ;-p

And, just because pretty things make our eyes happy, I have to share this. :-) It really is such a cute idea for wedding decor. Maybe even for a ceremony backdrop!

Source: stylemepretty.com via Melina on Pinterest by Isha Foss Events and Jeff Greenough

~ melina xo

Bride's Prayer: I'm Shallow!

Are you always complaining about the details? Snapping at your family and friends all the time? Being told to stop being Bridezilla? Is all you care about at this point what the wedding will look like and what people are going to leave talking about? Feeling like you forgot what this whole thing is all about?

Source: stylemepretty.com via Melina on Pinterest photo by The Nichols

If all you are thinking about is getting the title of the best wedding anyone has ever been to, then maybe it is time to think about your priorities. It isn't what's on the outside but what's on the inside right? We have heard that one since we were little kids, lol. But it is different when planning a wedding.

Sometimes things in life bring us to the point where we don't recognize ourselves and it is important to take the time to give yourself reset button time.

No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money. - Matthew 6:24

The big message here is that you cannot serve two masters. In your case, you cannot be a servant of God and be a Bridezilla falling to the grasp of the glitter and lace gods. When you lose sight of God and begin to live life for other things, you are serving a different master.

When you feel the point of exploding, taking it out on some poor innocent soul of your bridal party, take a moment to stop. Pray. Go somewhere by yourself and pray. Even if it is the bathroom.

Allow your heart to pause for a moment and let God fill it instead of the material world you are getting lost in.

The Prayer:

Give me the patience to be able to slow down and think about you and the blessings you have given me. Help me to shift my strong desires of perfection in the material and focus instead on Your Love and the real meaning behind my wedding. In my quiet times, clear my head and grab me by the heart. I thank you for my blessings and help me to not lose sight of that. 

Got a Bride's Prayer you'd like to see? Check out the Bride's Prayer for past prayers and to request your own anonymously. 

Bride's Prayer: I Don't Feel Pretty

This is the time of year when we all come up with resolutions and oftentimes those resolutions are to make ourselves better because there is something about ourselves that we are not happy with. There is nothing like a looming wedding day to feel the pressure of having clear skin, shiny hair, and a body that fits in your dream dress. Telling yourself, "I'm too fat" or "I'm too skinny"

Then again, you might be that girl that everyone says, "You look perfect, you don't need to change a thing!" Yet you look in the mirror and find something missing that you want to fix. That glow, that confidence, the lack of fear to be in front of everyone watching you live one of the most important moments of your life. Maybe you are considering a drastic change of yourself.

I just recently caught up on some of my DVR recordings, and yes, I do watch David Tutera's My Fair Wedding! I remember he asked one of his brides if she felt pretty (I don't recall the exact words). She said no and when he asked why, she just responded, "I've always felt this way." That made me sad! Getting married is a time when a woman should feel the most beautiful because she is surrounded by so much love!

I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. - Romans 12:1-2

Take care of yourself and don't do any harmful remedies or diets that would hinder you. If you are acceptable to God, you should be acceptable to yourself! Don't worry what it is that society deems you should look like. If you need to lose weight, do it to be healthy and do it in healthy manner. If you feel the need to altar your appearance, do it in a way that doesn't alter what God already deemed acceptable (such as nose jobs, boob jobs, etc). Place your heart and mind in God so that you can have the confidence you need because God loves us as we are!

Source: stylemepretty.com via Taryn on Pinterest by Olive Juice Studios

The Prayer:

God, help me to shift my focus on your will and not on things that make me less of a living sacrifice for you. Help me to understand that any improvements of myself are to make me a better version for serving your purpose rather than to fit in with what society deems as perfection. I am acceptable to you. Help me be acceptable to myself. 

Have a request for Bride's Prayer? Comment below, on the Wedding Pickle Facebook Page or fill out the anonymous form!

Have a blessed weekend and congrats if you are getting married this weekend! <3

Bride's Prayer: Short on Money

It can be very stressful when you feel like you just don't have the money for your wedding. It can also be disappointing when you have to cut out something due to budget that you have always dreamed of having for your wedding day.

Source: organizingmadefun.blogspot.com via Julia on Pinterest

It is difficult enough that many of us live from paycheck to paycheck let alone even be able to comprehend affording the luxuries that our American society as embedded in our minds as a lifestyle we cannot live without. Many of us even go into debt to look okay on the surface, but credit is a dangerous thing. If there is one thing you should never do is to go into credit debt for your wedding.

Yes, you may have dreamed of certain aspects of your wedding, but look down at your hand (if you have an engagement ring) or look into your fiance's eyes. Is not that love that you see in his eyes something you would give everything up in the world to keep forever? The good news is that you have it all already. God has provided you that Love!

And if God cares so wonderfully for flowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith? - Luke12:28
You may be freaking out about your wedding when you barely scraped enough to pay your student loan last month. However, God loves us so have faith that things will turn out right.

Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. - Matthew 6:31-33
Focus on the blessings you have been given leading towards your wedding day. Seek God first. You might find that what you can afford is actually all you have dreamed of for your wedding!

The Prayer

God, I have fears on being able to afford things in my life and I worry that perhaps the day that I will be celebrating one of the greatest gifts I've been given will be cheated because of something as shallow as money. Help me to seek you first and hand my fears over to you. I know you will provide and allow my heart to see just how rich I really am. I trust in you and trust that my wedding day will be amazing.

Have any Bride's Prayer Requests? Submit yours through the Request Form anonymously or comment below!

Best of Bride's Prayer {Top 5}

I cannot believe that the weekend is upon us because it is Christmas weekend! It is our first Christmas just the two of us so it hasn't really felt like Christmas is here. :-( It does seem like this weekend will only feel like just another weekend, but I don't want to lose sight of the fact that it is not! The greatest gift to all mankind was given to us so that we may all be saved! Oh what a truth that fills me with so much joy! The hubs and I intend to make a turkey and I'm going to attempt my hand at Red Velvet Cheesecake Brownies (a recipe I found via Pinterest). We'll have some champagne and probably Skype our families. It will be just us, but the day is just too special to let it pass as just another day!

Source: etsy.com via Melina on Pinterest

The Bride's Prayer series is probably my favorite series of my blog. Not only do the posts help with issues that brides deal with, but the scriptures apply to many situations in our lives whether we are getting married or not. This is what I love about the Bible, that it has truths in it that speak to us multiple times in multiple ways. It is the living word that guides us and teaches us. I have rounded up the Top 5 Bride's Prayer posts from the past year.

You can look at these but of course all of Bride's Prayer posts can be found on the Bride's Prayer Tab. If you have any requests for any you can comment below or fill out the form. I'd love to be there to pray with you! :-)

Arguing With Your Fiance

Jealous Bridesmaid

It's Not About You

Mother's Day

It's Not a Competition

Which one of the Bride's Prayers have spoken to you? Which ones are your faves? Share below or let me know on the Wedding Pickle Facebook Page!

Bride's Prayer: Are you Ready?

Ever feel like ever since you got engaged that all of a sudden no one is backing your relationship? Naturally it would give you doubts. They probably are asking all the time, "Are you sure you are ready to get married?" Hear it enough and now you might be asking yourself the same thing.

You might be telling yourself that you are just following your heart and you are just going to have to go with that.

Source: etsy.com via Melissa on Pinterest

The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it? - Jeremiah 17:9

The problem is that you shouldn't follow your heart. You should follow God. But how do we know we are following God when we make such big decisions? First seek God, if your heart is with Him, then you can have faith that the choices you make take you in the right direction.

For I know the plans I have for you," declares the lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. - Jeremiah 29:11

The Prayer:

God, I praise you for the gift I have to be able to turn to you. Please help me to fill my heart with you so that when I follow it, I know I am going the right direction. Guide me towards confidence rather than doubt as I get closer to marrying the man I love. 

Find more on the Bride's Prayer Page!

Got a Bride's Prayer request? Leave a comment below or fill out the form!

Bride's Prayer: I Give Up!

Planning a wedding can definitely be overwhelming and it lends itself to worry, then frustration. It doesn't help that your family members may take it upon themselves to worry about something and letting you know about it everyday to ease their worrying. It is no wonder so many people threaten to just throw it all out the window and elope!

We are taught as Christians to not worry and to let God take the reigns, but he isn't going to literally come and plan your wedding for you is He? Probably not, but I'll tell you what he will do and it is the next best thing believe me!

Source: tsjphotography.com via micmillan on Pinterest

Quit trying to do it all yourself. Pray everyday for patience. Pray everyday that God works in the hearts of your naggy family members to realize when they are causing you undue stress. Pray that those people will instead become your go to for help instead of worry.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. - Philipians 4:6-7
Put it in God's hands and let it go. You wanna give up on your wedding planning? Don't give up! Just give it to God!

Casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. - 1 Peter 5:7

So what if your dress is going to come in a month before the wedding and you worry it may not get fitted in time? So what if your mom is stressing on how she will be able to pick up your aunt from the airport and still make it to the rehearsal? You don't need to worry. If in the end you married the one you love with your heart on God, it all came out as God planned!

The Prayer

God, my to do lists get longer, my phone keeps buzzing with people making me worry about things I can't control. Work in my heart, O Lord, to let it all go and let you bring peace to my heart. I know this time is a time I should enjoy. I need you to take over so that I can enjoy the blessing of Love you have given to me. 

Find more on the Bride's Prayer Page!

Got a Bride's Prayer request? Leave a comment below or fill out the form!

Bride's Prayer: Feeling Left Out

Love in the air from your wedding. It is inevitable. You probably even know of someone else, at least on Facebook, who is also engaged. No doubt that your single friends are feeling googly-eyed about being in love, wanting to be engaged too. With all the wedding talk, your single friends may feel even more single and want to go out and mingle, and find their own Mr. Right!

So they go to that speed dating event your favorite restaurant is hosting without you. They go to that house party that falls on date night with your fiance. They talk to and flirt with guys at the neighborhood picnic you invited them to as you sit in the sidelines talking to your neighbor's grandma. Then when you get together and talk, they talk about those events that you didn't get to go to.

You feel left out. Maybe you feel jealous that you don't get to do those things with the girls. You still plan to have girls' night out, but the reality is that it won't be the same. Life won't be the same after marriage as you adjust to a priority shift from "me" to "we".

It is an adjustment that you and your friends will have to do together or apart.

Source: weheartit.com via Pam on Pinterest

Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another. - Ephesians 4:25
You need to have open communication with your friends. They are your friends after all and if they truly are your friend they will be more understanding of your feelings as you should be of theirs. Keep in mind that you going off and getting married is an adjustment period for all and your friendships will only be stronger having gone through it.

For jealousy makes a man furious, and he will not spare when he takes revenge. - Proverbs 6:34
It might be easy to snap when your friends get to gossiping about things when you weren't there. You might feel resentment and choose not to invite a friend to a cookout because she is "single" Why would she care to be at something that your couple friends are at? Guess again. She could be just as hurt as you had been when you didn't get to attend an event with your single friends.

The Prayer

I know that if I let jealousy consume my thoughts that anger will take over and blind me from what truly matters. I have found the love of my life, I have wonderful friends. It is those blessings and more that I need to focus on rather than on what doesn't matter. God, help me to appreciate the blessings my friends have brought to me over the years. 

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Bride's Prayer: A Giving Heart

Sometimes it feels so frivolous that we spend so much money in this nation while many people in the world can't even get food. It is always wonderful to see when couples getting married prefer to have donations made to their favorite charities in lieu of gifts especially when they don't really need anything for their new home. It breaks tradition but in a self-less way. However, maybe it is your parents or in-laws or family that might make you feel uncomfortable for not having a gift registry. You might even worry that you will make your guests feel uncomfortable for coming to your wedding without having given you a tangible gift.

Source: flickr.com via Mary Beth on Pinterest

You can make a gift registry to please those people or you may stand your ground and only have a charity registry. (Of course people may still send you gifts anyway) If it is something you believe in, especially as a couple, you should do whatever in your heart feels right without feeling bad. It is right for the children of God to help our brothers and sisters in need.

The one who blesses others is abundantly blessed; those who help others are helped. - Proverbs 11:25

Know that by maintaining a giving heart, God will back you!

'Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.' - Matthew 25:40

Go ahead and make that charity registry, pray about it and let everyone know how important it is to you if they supported your charity choice. 

The Prayer

God, I know in my heart that the choice to give to charity rather than receive gifts is what I want to do and that in doing so I will be working as your servant. Give me the strength to stand up for my choice, to handle the conversations with my family on the choice with grace and to accept that the gift that someone insists on giving to me is from their heart and their way of giving to others by giving to me. Help me to feel honored rather than to feel bad if someone does give me tangible gifts. 

Have a Bride's Prayer Request? I welcome you to fill out the request form anonymously or leave a comment.

Bride's Prayer: Maybe We Should Break Up

It has always been my general feeling that if you ever ask this question that maybe getting married isn't a good idea. However, every relationship is different and the experience and memories had between two people who are engaged clearly have something serious going on. It is it meant to be? Maybe, maybe not.

That fear can be from past relationships, from past events that have left you scarred, or from just plain fear and worry. Your question of breaking up can be a legitimate concern to address or it can be cold feet. Either way, it can't hurt to turn to God.

Pray to God about what is in your heart. Now here is the hard part. He wouldn't bluntly tell you but He will tell you. You have to be still. Just listen. In this busy life full of intrusions from technology, that is the hardest thing but it is the only way to get that guidance you need.

Source: oliviakcarter.blogspot.com via Melina on Pinterest

Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him. . . Psalm 37:7
It is the hardest thing to wait, but you can't make a drastic decision in life without the patience to wait on the Lord.

Again he appoints a certain day, “Today,” saying through David so long afterward, in the words already quoted, “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts.” Hebrews 4:7

You have to be willing to listen and act on what you have heard. I always tell myself that I will not doubt but rather I will walk through the doors God opens and accept the doors God closes. Even if I do not understand. 

Whoever is of God hears the words of God. The reason why you do not hear them is that you are not of God.” - John 8:47
Allow your heart to be of God so that you can hear his words. God speaks to us in many ways. Making the decision to end your engagement and every major life changing decision in life is best made with the guidance of God.

The Prayer:

God, I sit here weighing the pros and cons of what I should do in my relationship when it should be You and not a list that guides me. Help me to be still and open my heart to You so that I am able to really hear You. The decision to get married or not is a big one and I cannot do it without You. 

Bride's Prayer: No Dad to Walk With

Perhaps you don't have a relationship with your father, maybe your father is too sick to travel to where your wedding is, maybe your father passed away and you are heart broken that you won't get the traditional image of being walked down the aisle with your dad.

Source: a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net via Lori on Pinterest

Of course there is always the ability to walk down the aisle with a man who has been a father figure like a step dad, to walk with your brother, or a friend who was like your brother, or even walk with your mother.

However, I want to emphasize that we all have a heavenly father who is with us at all times. That even if you walk down the aisle by yourself, you aren't alone.

Do you not know that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in you? - 1 Corinthians 3:16

We can always count on God to be there even when those we count on on this Earth may not be there. You may be hurt by the father who renounces you or saddened by the father who you love dearly and cannot physically be around any longer, but with God you never have to be hurt or sad.

. . . for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” - Hebrews 13:5

The Prayer:

God, I am so thankful to be able to call you Father. You are enough to be the one to give me strength. Help me to focus on what I do have and who I am blessed by rather then what I have lost and been hurt by. I pray that my earthly father is with you (in his heart/in heaven). While the situation I am in makes me sad, I know you are there. 




Have a Bride's Prayer Request? I welcome you to fill out the request form anonymously or comment below. 

Bride's Prayer: It's Not About You

Yes, I know. You come to a wedding blog and find a headline that says it's not about you? You may be thinking, "Are you kidding me? It is all about the bride!" I completely agree with you! To an extent however. There is another side of what it's all about.

The Groom? Yea, but... The Marriage? Getting warmer..... God? Ding Ding Ding!

You might find yourself lost in your wedding planning and finding your inner bridezilla making an appearance every so often. (I believe we all have at least a bit of bridezilla in us) You might find yourself snapping at people. "Firing" people from tasks because they messed up your simple request, the list can go on and on.

{source}

Maybe you are thinking, "What is happening to me?" "This is getting to not be fun anymore." "I wish I can just start over."

If that is you, the solution is to change your thinking. "How am I making this wedding about God and His blessing of Love He has given me?" God is Love and your marriage should be a reflection of that gift.

So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him. - 1 John 4:16

You want to enjoy your wedding planning, spending this excited time with your fiance and your family and friends who love you and are excited for you. Weddings bring family together and allow old friends to catch up. There is supposed to be so much joy and not anger and resentment. If you want to change that, seek God and make it about Him. Celebrate the blessing He has given you.

But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. - Matthew 6:33

The Prayer:

God, I selfishly put myself first throughout this process of planning my wedding, but I wish to put You first so that I may find peace and actually enjoy this wonderful gift of love you have given me in the form of my future husband. How wonderful is Your Love for me,  I am blessed to get to celebrate that in my future marriage. It is you I seek. You loved me first allowing me to love others. Please bring me the calmness I need to let my frustrations go and to praise you for your gifts! 

Don't forget to "Like" Wedding Pickle on Facebook!

Bride's Prayer Requests

Fridays are my usual Bride's Prayer days, but it seems like it has been awhile that I have posted one. Since I am behind on my post writing I didn't have time to write one for today, but I didn't want the day to go to waste. I want to hear from you on ideas for Bride's Prayer in the future!

Source: greenweddingshoes.com via Anica on Pinterest

Bride's Prayer is a series I like to do that looks at issues brides deal with, during the wedding planning process where they need advice or guidance. My goal to lead brides to turn to the Bible when it comes to those issues, and for each featured issue, I talk about some relevant scripture that can help with the issue and with many similar issues in life. That is the great thing about the Bible, it is our guidebook for everything! Often times I am blown away how many times one line of scripture can speak to me in different ways for different times in my life.

Check out the Bride's Prayer tab for past prayer features and while you are at it, I ask for you leave any ideas of issues brides deal with, or a specific issue you are dealing with in your planning. You can leave a comment below or submit it anonymously via the form on the Bride's Prayer tab. :-) I look forward to hearing your ideas! God bless you all and many thanks for your support!

Bride's Prayer: Getting Cold Feet

Getting married is a blessed thing but as with all new things and new changes comes worry. Am I ready? Am I marrying the right man? Will the marriage last? What if he hurts me?

This is why I love the engagement period because it is a time to reflect, adapt, learn, and of course love.

It is natural to be nervous but you don't want it to get to you so much that it affects your relationship with your fiance or causing you to back out of something good for you.

Source: flickr.com via Emily on Pinterest

For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. - Jeremiah 29:11

Cast your cares on the lord and he will sustain you; He will never let the righteous fall. - Psalm 55:22

Naturally, I always recommend prayer. Stop wallowing in your own mind and turn to God. :-)

The Prayer

God, I know it is a human reaction to be scared and worried, but it is a Christian reaction to trust in you and have Faith. Help me to let go and to clear my mind of all worry and only focus on where you are leading me. Close the doors the need to be closed and open the doors that need to be open. If my fiance is an opened door, I will walk through it faithfully holding on to You and him with all I am.


Find more Bride's Prayer Topics on the request page where you can send in your own request via email or anonymous form. 

Bride's Prayer: It's not a Competition

It could be that your sibling or friend got married recently or is getting married the same time as you. It could be that you constantly find yourself saying, "But so-and-so is getting this for their wedding, why can't I?" or "Well my cake has to be better than hers!" or "That reception was a bummer, mine is going to be so much better!" or "I have to have the bigger cake! People will notice!"

Source: wedding-dresses.tk via Destina on Pinterest

Source: topcake-cakes.blogspot.com via Laureen on Pinterest

If you find yourself saying anything along those lines you need to take a moment to think about where your heart is.

As it turns out when you strive to one up somebody, it never is good enough because you are focusing on the wrong thing. You'll always be disappointed and want better.

Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. - Matthew 6:19-21

If your heart is all on the material items of your wedding, just to be better than the other, how can your heart be on your future marriage? Time will pass, people's impressions will pass but if your heart was in the right place when you were prepping for marriage, your relationship with your husband will reap the rewards.

No one is going to remember that your cake had 5 tiers when your sister-in-law's had 3. So what if your old college girlfriend is having her wedding at the hippest location in town where you wanted to get married. Who cares if your brother gets to have a DJ AND and band while you only get a DJ?

Look at weddings for what God intended them to be and your heart will be in the right place.

The Prayer:

God, the pressures of social society makes me lose sight of the real reason behind my wedding. I am selfish to want to be better in material items than another. I know it hurts the real value of my wedding, and I pray that you can guide me to let all that go. I have found love and I am marrying the best man in the world! I count my blessings and I am thankful for Your love and my fiance's love.

Bride's Prayer: What's Mine is Yours?

One of the biggest adjustments to marriage is changing from an "I" mentality to a "We" mentality. If that is something you are not used to or if you have always been independent most your life, this could be a struggle and it can turn divisive in your future marriage.

It goes to not making a decision without consulting the other, sharing your belongings, combining your household as one, etc.

You don't want to co-habitate. You aren't going to be roommates. You don't want to ask permission. You aren't each other's parents. Everything needs to be done in partnership. By sharing. By acting as one.

Source: lovebits.wordpress.com via Bianka on Pinterest

No more, it's my money because I earned it mentality. No more I bought this because I wanted it even though you didn't. No more It's your mess, you pick it up. No more, I don't know it's not my problem. You will live as one.

. . .‘Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’? So they are no longer two but one flesh. . . - Matthew 19:5-6

Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. - Philippians 2:4

Know that there is an engagement period for a reason. Practice making decisions together, doing things together. This means not saying, "It's my wedding because I'm the bride!" Instead, practice by saying, "It's OUR wedding."

The Prayer

For too long I have relied on myself but now as I enter into marriage, I know that my future husband and I will rely on each other. God, guide me to the attitude of partnership, of seeing his needs and views before my own so that we may work together as a team through life. 

Check out the tab above for more Bride's Prayer and to submit your own requests for future Bride's Prayer topics.

Bride's Prayer: Leaving Home Behind

I know a lot of my friends got married and had to pick up and go to another state to follow their husbands. When I married my husband who is in the Marines, I knew that was what was in store for me as well. To be honest, I knew I wanted to live life by his side but I was and still am terrified at what I will face in the future as far as new homes, new people, and new experiences. I am even terrified at how I will take it when deployment comes. :-/ However, the blessings far outweigh the fear.

I never wanted to marry a military guy growing up, but God had other plans. In the book, Sacred Influence, the author, Gary Thomas, says that God "knew, even before he created you, who you'd marry. And he will continue to give you the tools you need to become the person he's called you to be and to do the work he's created you to do within your current relationship."

Source: home-biba.blogspot.com via Melina on Pinterest

For I know the plans I have for you," declares the lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. - Jeremiah 29:11

You are excited about getting married as well you should be! It is a part of God's plan! It may be difficult to face the fact that you would be leaving your home and family for the unknown. But instead of being sad or nervous think of it this way. How exciting is it that God has led you to a man who will take you to a place where you are meant to be? Your true home lies wherever you are because you are there for a reason. Let God work in you towards fulfilling your purpose!

The Prayer:

God I thank you for the blessing of finding love and for the opportunities that are ahead of me to do your work. Guide me to do what I need to do to fulfill your plan for me. I will always love my hometown because of the memories and life I had there, but I am excited for what you have in store. Help me to desire the new home because it is where you want me to be.

Bride's Prayer: Fight with a Groomsman

Are you one of those brides who don't get along very well with some of your groom's friends? Even worse, they are in your wedding as groomsmen? What happens when one has hurt you or offended you and you still have to be in their presence because they are a part of your wedding and he is one of your man's best friends?

What are you going to do throw him out of your wedding and drive a wedge between you and your fiance? In life you have to pick your battles and some battles aren't worth fighting.

Source: cocosteaparty.com via Maggie on Pinterest

"Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God." - James 1:19-20

So much time is wasted on being angry, when that time can be used to be a better person and to serve God in his plan for you. :-)

The Prayer

God, I know I can't get along with everyone, but the fact that this is with someone who means something to my future husband makes this hard. Help me to forgive this friend as you have forgiven me. As my fiance and I become one, help me to adapt to the parts of his life that I must make peace with. I am not to be my husband's ruler, but his partner and I must accept that if I am to become his wife.

Bride's Prayer: Looking Perfect

Weddings have a way of changing our views of our selves. Maybe we always want to look good on a daily basis, but nothing compares to how we want to look on our wedding day. Professional hair and makeup, expensive jewelry, whitened teeth, tanned skin, toned arms, whatever it takes to look like a celebrity on the red carpet for a day right?

It is your wedding day and you deserve to do all of that to feel like you look your best. But, did you know that the natural glow of just being a bride sends out the most beautiful vibe about you?

I remember freaking out because I didn't lose that last 5 pounds giving up working out the week before my wedding and fighting my shiny face. But in the end, I felt like a million bucks just by being in the presence of my groom. Love was the best beauty enhancement!

Don't let all the little details of perfection bog you down. It could rain on your perfect hair and you can cry away your perfect makeup, and it wouldn't make you look any less beautiful and stunning on your day.

The model bride looks beautiful. . .

Source: popbee.com via Isabel on Pinterest

But the real bride in her glow is more beautiful! Don't you agree?

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I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. - Psalm 139:14
You are already perfect because God made you that way. So any enhancement is just icing on the cake. Any missing enhancement won't be missed.

. . . For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.” - 1 Samuel 16:7

The Prayer

God, my wedding tends to make me focus on that which fades in time when I know it is my heart that holds my real beauty. I want to look my best. Stress isn't beautiful but love is. Help me to appreciate what I have of myself, to do for myself what I need to do for your glory, and to know that by my wedding day, I have done all I can and that I look perfect no matter what I did or didn't do for my appearance.

Bride's Prayer: Jealous Bridesmaid

You know how it feels. You see it everywhere. The ring photos, the status updates, the invitations to weddings. Before you got engaged, you probably felt a little jealous. I know I did.

Now you are engaged. You are so happy and you have asked your closest friends to be your bridesmaids. They love you and they truly are happy for you, but depending on where they are in life and in their relationships, they may feel that pang of "I wish I was getting married too."

Source: oncewed.com via Tori on Pinterest

For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! - Ecclesiastes 4:10

You need to be sensitive to your bridesmaids' feelings and also be understanding if one happens to be a bit snippy or a debbie downer. How do you handle your relationship with her? Maybe you are considering removing her from your bridal party, confronting her, snapping back, etc. But none of it is worth losing that friendship.

A friendship is give and take. When you were down, she probably lifted you up. Why else did you ask her to be your bridesmaid? The wedding may be about you, but when a friend is in need, put that away to focus on her. She may be down, you need to lift her up.

My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. - John 15:12
Think about how you want to be treated. This applies to everything in life. 

The Prayer:

God, help me to put away the petty, the material, the earthly, and look towards the heavenly. Guide me towards love the way Christ loved. Help me approach my friend from a place of love and understanding so that we can further strengthen the bond of our friendship.