3 Ways the Single Girl Can Grow in Prayer

Thriving in Your Prayer Life as a Single Girl
Grace McCready

I’ve often heard Valentine’s Day referred to as “Singles Awareness Day.” As a single girl who’s never dated or been married, I can admit that it’s a funny name for the holiday. However, it’s also a painful reminder of my single status. Singleness isn’t something that I would’ve chosen for myself for this season of my life, but I know that growth during this season is still possible through the Holy Spirit. And one of the main ways that He grows us is through prayer.
If you’re struggling to accept your single status this Valentine’s Day, consider the following ideas to grow closer to God through prayer:

1. Thank God for what you have.
   Even though this season of singleness can be really lonely, I know that God has blessed me with family members and friends who have supported me as a single girl. Rather than constantly asking me if I’ve met anyone special, they ask me about other aspects of my life. God has graciously placed my family and friends in my life for a reason. 
   It’s okay to say that singleness is difficult; there’s absolutely nothing wrong with admitting that reality. But during the difficult moments of singleness, don’t overlook the good gifts that God has given you during this season. I encourage you to open your eyes to the ways God has worked and provided during this season and to humbly thank Him in response.

2. Ask God for what you want.
   About a year ago, I wanted to make praying for my future husband a higher priority in my life. Even though I’m not super consistent about it, I became more intentional about praying for my future husband. I even have a reminder on my phone to pray for him. 
   I encourage you to do the same—ask God for what you want and surrender to whatever answer He gives you. God wants us to depend on Him for our needs and desires—including our desire for a husband. If you ask Him to bring a loving Christian man into your life, that doesn’t mean you’re showing ingratitude for other good things that God has already given you. In fact, praying faithfully for your future husband is a way to demonstrate your dependence on God and your understanding that your future—including the possibility of marriage one day—is in His hands, not yours.

3. Remember the needs of others.
   Based on personal experience, I know how easy it is to focus on myself as a single girl. To be honest, I spend a lot of time thinking about myself—how hard singleness is, how much I would like to be married, etc. I realize that other people are in difficult seasons of life as well, but in my fallen nature, I prefer to think about myself and my difficult season rather than theirs. 
   Satan would love for you to throw a big pity party about how lonely this season of life is and how badly you want to be married. He would love for you to solely focus on yourself and your unmet desires. But as a member of the body of Christ, you can’t give in to self-centeredness. There are so many other members of His body who need your prayers, and singleness provides an opportunity to take their needs to Him.
   Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving; praying at the same time for us as well, that God will open up to us a door for the word, so that we may speak forth the mystery of Christ, for which I have also been imprisoned; that I may make it clear in the way I ought to speak. (Colossians 4:2-4 NASB1995)

This season of singleness isn’t accidental or purposeless. This season is part of your life for a reason! And it’s an opportunity for our prayer lives to thrive. By expressing our gratitude, taking our desires to God, and shifting our focus to the needs of other believers, we can grow closer to God; we don’t have to wait until we’re married to do that.

Application Points:

1. Pick one thing to thank God for every day. Consider various aspects of His character, specific promises from Scripture, amazing people and opportunities that He has placed in your life, etc.
   
2. Pick one thing about your future husband to pray for every day. Consider his spiritual growth, his physical and mental health, his family situation, the strength for him to fight sexual temptation, etc.
3. Pick one person to pray for every day. Consider specific family members, friends, coworkers, classmates, leaders at your church, local and foreign missionaries, etc.
   

Grace McCready enjoys spending time with her family, hanging out with friends, and watching her favorite TV shows. She is the author of Real Recovery: What Eating Disorder Recovery Actually Looks Like. She shares personal stories and Scripture to encourage young women at her blog, Tizzie's Tidbits of Truth.