Not Alone

Today's post is taken from the weekly post by the fast.pray group that prays every Monday. You may CLICK HERE to join this group.

We are fasting and praying on Mondays for God to give the gift of marriage to those who desire it, work change in men, and work change in us. We're praying for a fresh wave of God-honoring relationships that lead to God-honoring marriages.

A few weeks ago, I had the privilege of listening and sharing with a dozen close single Christian girlfriends during a beach weekend set aside to discuss singleness. We talked about things serious and not-so-serious, ate plenty of snacks, and laughed until our sides hurt. But the most important thing, despite our different backgrounds, was that we all have a story that reflects God’s faithfulness in our single years.

The themes from that weekend keep echoing through my head, and I think might be food for thought as we fast and pray this week.

First, it is good to be reminded that we are not alone in this singleness journey. It was good to see talented, successful, beautiful, single Christian women being faithful in the places they’ve been called. In their stories of unmet longing and God’s amazing faithfulness, I realized that I am not the only one trying to figure out this often-confusing season. We have been struggling, not with singleness itself, but with the grasping the reality of God’s character when life goes a bit differently than planned. The fast.pray list is an extended picture of that reality; we are not alone as we walk this road and wait expectantly for Him.

Second, the diverse group of gals reminded me that it is a lie to believe that there is some particular common denominator that translates into an extended season of singleness. It was a diverse group, demographically, professionally, personally, and spiritually. The varied stories of God’s faithfulness encouraged me again to remember how He works in mysterious ways, how He loves on such a grand scale, and how His ways are always higher than my ways.

Lastly, I was reminded that it is foolish to attempt this journey of life by ourselves. Christ didn’t leave us alone: He gave His spirit and He put us in the context of the church. Married or unmarried, we all need the broken-people-learning-to-love-other-broken-people-community known as the church. Even when that community might feel too focused on families, or doesn’t meet expectations, it is our spiritual family home. As those waiting expectantly for an earthly spouse, we should be active participants in the bride of Christ on earth.

As you fast and pray this Monday, remember that you are not alone, and that our great God is accomplishing His purposes!

Blessings, Amy


This week, may you find encouragement ... and be an encouragement to someone else!

~ Linda
Cache' Connections