If You’re Over 40, Single, and Want to Be Married, Pray These 6 Scriptures

If you are a Christian single person who is over 40 and you want to be married, here are 6 Scripture passages you should pray through. I’ll also give a brief sample prayer for each section to help you get started.

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1. If You’re Over 40 and You Want to Be Married, Pray Mark 9:23-24

If you’ve wanted to be married your whole life but for some reason it hasn’t happened for you yet, without even realizing it, doubt can creep in and poison your prayers for a spouse (James 1:6-8).

This is probably what happened to the father who came to Jesus with his sick son. It’s interesting that Jesus asked him, “How long has this been happening to him?” (Mark 9:21). The father answered, “From childhood. And it has often cast him into fire and into water, to destroy him. But if you can do anything, have compassion on us and help us” (Mark 9:21-22). You can feel how long he’s been waiting for healing. You can feel his despair. And you can feel the doubt that has crept in.

Jesus immediately addressed this doubt. He said to the father, “‘If you can’! All things are possible for one who believes” (Mark 9:23). To the father’s credit, he immediately recognized the doubt that had crept in and he asked Jesus for help. Mark 9:24 states, “Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, ‘I believe; help my unbelief!’”

Likewise, if you are a Christian single person who has waited a long time for a spouse, address any doubt that may have crept in. Prayerfully apply Mark 9:23-24.

Lord Jesus, I ask for a spouse. All things are possible for you. Even though the wait has been long, I still believe you can do this! Also, while I do believe, please help me repent of any unbelief too! In Jesus name, amen.”

2. If You’re 40 or Older and You Want to Be Married, Pray Habakkuk 2:3

A delay is not a denial. Sometimes God hasn’t said no. Sometimes he’s just saying, “Wait.”

We must submit to his timing. He’s knows his plan for you. Every day of your life was written in his book before one of them came to be (Psalm 139:16).

Therefore, prayerfully apply Habakkuk 2:3, which states, “For still the vision awaits its appointed time; it hastens to the end—it will not lie. If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay.”

Lord, I trust your timing. I submit to your will. I know you have a good plan for my life. I believe you have given me this desire for a godly spouse, and so I trust you with the timing and fulfillment of this desire. Though it seems slow, I will wait faithfully.”

3. If You’re 40 or Older and You Want to Be Married, Pray Psalm 139:23-24

While there are always variables that are completely out of our control, there is always one thing that is in our control that always directly affects everything we experience or don’t experience in our lives – ourselves.

Thus, it’s always right to ask God about things that may need to change in you that could be preventing you from meeting the person he wants you to marry one day.

Perhaps you are fearful and pushing people away so you don’t get hurt. Perhaps you are too passive or too active. Or perhaps there is nothing you need to change and you simply need to keep being patient. Either way, it’s wise to explore this area in prayer with the Lord.

Thus, you want pray Psalm 139:23-24, which states, “Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!”

Heavenly Father, I ask you to send your Holy Spirit to lovingly convict me of anything that needs to change in my life so I can meet the person you want me to marry one day. Protect me from false guilt and from trying to make changes that don’t need to be made. But also grant me the humility and wisdom to change the parts of my life that do need to change if there is something blocking me from marriage that is in my control to change.”

4. If You’re 40+ and Single but You Still Want to Be Married One Day, Pray Philippians 4:11-13

Learning to be content without a relationship is one of the best ways to get into a relationship. Why? No one wants the pressure of making someone else happy. Thus, those who are content without a relationship are usually the one’s in the best position to receive that blessing.

If you are getting older and you’re still single, pray through Philippians 4:11-13, which states, “Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.”

Lord, you are all I need. I want to be married one day, but I need you every day! I choose to be content in Christ always. I also choose to remain open to marriage if you will that for me. But either way, I know I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me!”

5. If You’re Past the Age of 40 and You Want to Be in a Relationship, Pray Proverbs 12:11

The biggest difference in dating now that you are older is . . . you. You are what has changed the most!

While younger people do meet and date more easily because there are more options at that age, they also meet and date others because their behaviors are much different than older adults. Relationship principles don’t change the older you get. You change; thus it often gets harder to apply those same principles compared to a younger person.

You still need to meet singles, you still need to be out in the world to make connections with potential matches, and you still need to know how to interact with the opposite sex to transition out of acquittances and into something more.

Pray through Proverbs 12:11, “Whoever works his land will have plenty of bread, but he who follows worthless pursuits lacks sense.”

Father God, I’m different than I was at 20 and 30. I don’t crave social interactions as much as I used to. I enjoy my current friend groups and family members. But I also know if I want to meet someone new, I have to make wise choices that will allow me to meet someone new. Help me to have the energy to do the things I need to do to make the right connection. I do want to be married, Lord. Please give me the mindset to do whatever work you want me to do.”

6. If You’re an Older Single and You Want to Be Married, Pray James 1:25

When we make wise choices but things don’t happen how we thought and when we thought, we often stop making those wise choices, saying to ourselves, “Well, I don’t need to try that again!”

Success often occurs not when we just do something wise but when we keep doing something wise. We need perseverance. As James 1:25 states, “But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.”

Dear God, help me to accept what I cannot change, to change what I can, and to have the wisdom to know the difference. I pray for perseverance. Protect me from working too hard and trying to take matters into my own hands. But I also pray for a supernatural ability to keep moving forward even though the wait is longer than I expected. I ask for a Christian spouse, Lord, that I can glorify you alongside. In Jesus name, amen!”

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