A Wedding Prayer

Petra, our favorite granddaughter, was married this weekend to Daniel Gonzalez in the presence of family and friends at Fellowship Reformed Church, Holland, MI. The officiating pastors were Rev. Ross Dieleman and Petra’s mother, Rev. Lisa Braunius. The spiritually moving wedding ceremony included the couple partaking in communion together. Music was by members of the worship team from Daniel’s church.

A reception was held on the front lawn of Fellowship Church under three large white tents and with a bounce house for kids.  The granddads, Burt Braunius and Garrett Veld were asked to give an opening prayer at the reception. Following is the prayer.

Prayer

We pray for your blessing on Daniel and Petra as we celebrate their marriage with this wedding reception. May their reception of us as their guests, be reciprocated by our desires to receive Daniel and Petra into our hearts and lives throughout the journey of their life together.

As we fellowship and feast with them and with one another, may their lives and ours be guided and grounded in your Word. We pray that you would help Daniel and Petra, as well as us all, to live in commitment to these biblical truths.

• What God has joined together, let no one separate.
• Outdo one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.
• Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.
• Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. 
• Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.
• Be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.
• In the words of Christ, "My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you."
• And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

We also pray, Lord, that you would care abundantly for Daniel and Petra as is testified to in Psalm 23 where David writes, “I have all that I need” and “my cup overflows with blessings.”  We pray that you would provide them with enough:

·        enough goodness and grace to meet their daily needs, 

·        enough sunshine to brighten their days no matter how challenging they may be,

·        enough rain to bring refreshment and an appreciation of the sun,

·        enough joy to keep them celebrating each day of their shared journey,

·        enough good memories so they will not forget your blessings,

·        enough faith to endure difficulties,

·        enough hope to look forward to whatever the future may hold, and

·        enough love to sacrifice for one another as Christ gave of himself for the church.

 

We pray this benediction on Daniel and Petra.

Now may the God of peace… equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in you what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

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We are blessed to see the faith and love of this couple. Being at such a wedding is not only witnessing the beginning of a new home and family, but also experiencing God’s faithfulness in being true to his covenant promises, building his church, and expanding his kingdom. Thank you, Lord!

(Scripture references: Mark 10:9, Romans 12:10, Ephesians 5:21, Proverbs 3:3,4, 1 Corinthians 13:4, Ephesians 4:32, John 15:12, Hebrews 13:20,21, Colossians 3:14)