Tyler and Shelly are getting married. I’ve known Tyler for many years. I’ve seen him grow from a boy into a young man, attend and graduate from college, and take up a new career working with troubled teens. I’ve seen him move into friendship with Shelly, on to uncertainty, curiosity, budding passion, and then through a major test to trust and commitment. Now, these two stand on the cusp of a covenant promise that will bind their lives forever. In a covenant they will exchange destinies. I pray for them today. Let’s pray together for the men and women binding their lives in covenant marriage.

“God, it’s wedding season. You have made marriage. You love weddings. Marriage depicts the meaning of life; all things are moving toward a great wedding at the end of time, the marriage of Christ and his Church. By your own vows you have committed yourself to us, giving us your name and with it all that you have and are. You promise to never leave us. You keep your vows. Give us strength to keep ours. We pray today for the man and the woman forming a covenant of marriage. As they make vows and with their own words – and yours – create a new family, stand with, in, over, under, around, beside, and through them. Bless this wedding, and beyond, bless this marriage. May this home be a place of refuge, and safe place in a dark world. Fill this moment of commitment with your presence and Spirit, as just beginning to a life of enduring hope.  Bless this wedding day with joy. Bless this wedding night with pure delight and genuine love. We give this couple our blessed best. We ask that you would as well. In Jesus…”