Prayers at weddings

More than ever today, as a husband and wife unite in marriage, they need the prayers of friends and loved ones to help them build a strong foundation of godly love established on Christ, their Rock. If you want to give something special and lasting to a couple on their wedding day, here is a prayer you can offer on their behalf.

A Wedding Prayer

Dear Lord,

As this couple begins their lives together on their wedding day, I pray that their hearts will unite as one with You in their desire to make You the center. May this day be the start of something beautiful, a celebration unlike any other.

As they offer their vows to one another in the sight of God and others, give them a clear understanding of their commitment to each other. May their loyalty in marriage mirror Your own love and faithfulness to all Your children. Let them know that two are better than one as they mutually invest in and depend on each other—but that the third strand of their marriage ties should always be You. 

May their love—like the wedding rings they will wear—be a circle that never ends. Grow that love relationship into one that is patient and kind, not boastful or proud, one that is unselfish and trusting, and a love that protects and perseveres through every season of life.

SEE ALSO: A Valentine Prayer Letter: Husband to Wife

I pray you will give this couple unforgettable moments, unending dedication, and unselfish motives as they pledge their devotion to each another. In every way possible, make the house they build together a godly home—a place where hurts are healed with grace, a place where hearts are sealed with forgiveness, and a place where emotions feel safe when shared with honesty and gentleness. Keep their communication open—with You, and with each other as they make prayer a constant priority.

Lord, today and every day, let laughter echo in the halls of their hearts and home; let joy fill every room; and let the radiance of Your face shine on them, bless them, and give them a gracious peace that passes all understanding. Light a fire of passion that prompts them to love you with all their heart, soul, and strength, and one that engulfs their own union as man and wife in purity and oneness. Help them to bear each other’s burdens, even as they cast their cares on Your shoulders. May they always choose to see the best in each other, even in the worst of times.

May they visualize their marriage as more than just a bonding of two lives, but as two on mission for You, Lord—a lighthouse of refuge, a welcome place for encouragement, and a testimony to Your power and grace. Help them to cherish their wedding day as a sacred memorial, and their union as a treasure to protect at all costs. Make it a reminder of hope that keeps on going and faith that keeps on growing. Help them to believe that all things are possible through Christ, the One who began the good work in them.

Lord, on their wedding day, may every word spoken and every precious token remind them of the One who holds all things together and who makes all things good. Together as this couple stands side by side, and hand in hand, hold them tightly and never let them go. Fill their hearts with unceasing gratitude. Be their vision, their strength, and their constant companion.

SEE ALSO: A Valentine Prayer Letter to My Husband

In Jesus’s name,
Amen
 

Rebecca Barlow Jordan is an inspirational author, speaker, and passionate follower of Jesus who loves to encourage others heart to heart. She has written 11 books and over 1700 other articles, greeting cards, and other inspirational pieces. Her daily devotional Daily in Your Presence is available for delivery through Crosswalk.com. You can find out more about Rebecca at www.rebeccabarlowjordan.com.

Publication date: June 30, 2017

Image courtesy:©Thinkstock/pgaborphotos

SEE ALSO: A Prayer for a New Day

This article is part of our larger Prayers resource meant to inspire and encourage your prayer life when you face uncertain times. Visit our most popular prayers if you are wondering how to pray or what to pray. Remember, the Holy Spirit intercedes for us and God knows your heart even if you can’t find the words to pray.

Prayer of Blessing for Mothers & Grandmothers
Prayer for Healing

Prayer for StrengthPrayer for ProtectionMorning PrayersGood Night PrayersThe Prayer of JabezShort PrayersThe Lord’s PrayerThe Prayer of St FrancisSerenity PrayerA Birthday PrayerSinner’s PrayerPrayer for ForgivenessPrayer for GuidanceIntercessory PrayerIrish Prayers and BlessingsAdvent PrayersChristmas PrayersThanksgiving PrayerHoly Week Prayers for Each DayEaster PrayersMother’s Day PrayerPrayers for My HusbandPrayers for My SonPrayers for My Daughter

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Prayers at a wedding reception are quite appropriate, especially when the couple has a relationship with the Lord. These prayers may include a blessing over the food, a father’s or mother’s prayer for their children and even blessings offered by the best man and maid of honor. Here are 6 great samples from which to choose.

A Prayer Of Blessing & A Charge From the Bible:

May pure be the joys that surround you, May true be the hearts that love you.

Dear Heavenly Father, “for this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God. Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.” (From Paul’s letter to the Ephesians 3:14-21)

A Prayer in a Song

A very popular thing at weddings is to sing a blessing. I have known of it to be done in person or in a video. The song “The Prayer” is a great one that can be offered by anyone; I have even known the bride and the groom to do it as a duet at the reception. Here is a video of “The Prayer” with lyrics, sung by Chloë Agnew of the Celtic Women singing group.

 

A Prayer for the Food

The prayer for the food is usually offered by the minister who officiated the ceremony, however, it is also common for this prayer to be offered by the father of the bride.

“Lord, behold our family here assembled. We thank you for this place in which we dwell, for the love that unites us, for the peace accorded us this day, for the hope with which we expect the morrow, for the health, the work, the food, and the bright skies that make our lives delightful; for our friends in all parts of the earth. We pray your blessings on the food that you have provided for us and thank you for all who have prepared it for our nourishment. Thank you in Jesus’ name, Amen.” (includes “The Wedding Prayer” by Robert Louis Stevenson)

Traditional Hebrew Blessings

A Hebrew Wedding Blessing

This is called the Seudah. It is asked two times at the wedding; once at the ceremony and then another time at the festival meal (Seudat Mitvah). Traditionally, the blessings are recited by seven different people that have been preselected by the bride and groom. This is also known as the Grace after meals (Birkat HaMazon). This blessing is performed while the groom and bride and all of the guest share a glass of wine. At the end of the blessing it is traditional that the groom breaks his glass with his foot, which is in remembrance of the temple that no longer exists in Jerusalem. At the end of the blessing everyone shouts “Mozol Tov”, indicating congratulations to the bride and groom.

Blessing 1: Blessed art the LORD our God, King of the universe, Fashioner of man.

Blessing 2: Blessed art the LORD our God, King of the universe, Fashioner of man.

Blessing 3: Blessed art the LORD our God, King of the universe, who formed the man in His image, in the image of the semblance of His likeness, and prepared for him from Himself a building for eternity. Blessed art Thou LORD, who fashioned the man.

Blessing 4: May the barren one exult and jubilantly rejoice through the regathering of her children amidst her in gladness. Blessed art Thou LORD, who makes Zion rejoice with her children.

Blessing 5: Gladden the beloved companions as you made glad your creation in the garden of Eden from days of old. Blessed art Thou, LORD, who gladdens groom and bride.

Blessing 6: Blessed art Thou LORD our God, King of the universe, who created joy and gladness, groom and bride, rejoicing, glad song, pleasure, delight, love, brotherhood, peace and companionship. Soon, LORD, our God, let there be heard in the cities of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem the sound of joy and the sound of gladness, the voice of the groom and the voice of the bride, the sound of jubilation of grooms from their canopies and of youths from their feasts of song. Blessed art Thou, LORD, who gladdens the groom with the bride.

Blessing 7: Blessed art Thou LORD our God, King of the universe, Creator of the fruit of the vine.

Blessing for the Food

For the Bread (Hamotzi)

Blessed are You LORD our God King of the universe Who has sanctified us with his commandments and commanded us on the washing of the hands. Blessed are You, LORD our God, King of the Universe, Who brings forth bread from the earth.

For other Food (Mezonot)

Blessed are you LORD our God, King of the Universe, Who creates various kinds of sustenance.

For the Wine or Grape Juice

Blessed are You, LORD our God, King of the universe, Who creates the fruit of the vine.

For Fruits (Ha-aitz)

Blessed are You, LORD our God, King of the universe, who creates the fruit of the tree.

For the Vegetables

Blessed are You, LORD our God, King of the universe who creates the fruit of the earth.

For all other Foods (Shehakol)

Blessed are You, LORD our God, King of the universe, by Whose word all things came to be.

Traditional Irish Blessing

May the road rise to meet you,
May the wind be always at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
The rains fall soft upon your fields.
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of his hand.   May God be with you and bless you;
May you see your children’s children.
May you be poor in misfortune,
Rich in blessings,
May you know nothing but happiness
From this day forward.   May the road rise to meet you
May the wind be always at your back
May the warm rays of sun fall upon your home
And may the hand of a friend always be near.   May green be the grass you walk on,
May blue be the skies above you,
May pure be the joys that surround you,
May true be the hearts that love you.

Interested in more wedding and marriage articles?

Take a look at these:

  • 10 Great Wedding Bible Verses and Readings

  • 15 Best Christian Wedding Songs

  • Sample Wedding Vows: Inspirational Marriage Pledges

Sources:

The Holy Bible, King James Version

http: //www.hebrew4christians.com/Blessings/Special_Events/Wedding_Blessings/wedding_blessings.html

http: //www.chabad.org

YouTube video “The Wedding Song” by Kenny G

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by Holly Parmer (Ste. Genevieve, MO)

God our Father, & Lord of all Creation:

We gather here now to celebrate the love and commitment of (bride) & (groom), as they share their first meal together as husband and wife.

We thank You for giving Your Holy blessing today upon their marriage, and ask that You continue to bless them with Your love and mercy throughout their lives together.

Let this be the first of many loving meals shared together with their family and friends, and blessed by Your amazing grace.

And with (bride) & (groom), as we are their family, friends, & loved ones gathered here in Your presence,
we ask for Your Holy blessing upon this meal as together we say:

Bless us, oh Lord, and these Thy gifts, which we are about to receive from Thy bounty; through Christ our Lord, Amen.

Return to Wedding Prayers and Blessings

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