A Wedding Prayer

March 4, 2017

My Gilbert, I will fall short.

As the Scriptures, like a floodlight,

Expose more and more of my own character

I know I will fall short,

So much that so many times

I was tempted to take a step back

Frightened, that the more

That light exposes all my flaws,

You might end up being the one

Who changes his mind and walks away.

This was the fear that this fallen world

Has placed in my heart.

But then you look at me,

You always look at me

With such tenderness and

Understanding and love,

As if I am the most precious

Creature you’ve ever seen.

It is, for me, inconceivable,

To see me in my brokenness

And insecurities and still lovingly

Smile. Then it dawned on me,

Reminding me of my silent prayer

That someday, there would be a man

Who would look at me, as Christ

Looked at His blood-redeemed

Bride, saying: "you are altogether

beautiful my darling...

there is no blemish in you."

Yes, it dawned on me.

Beholding the path you’ve

Been striving hard to follow --

The footsteps of your Master,

That you are, by His grace

Loving me as He loved His church.

And it is overwhelmingly

Beautiful.

My Gilbert. I know I will fall short.

So today, let my vow, instead be a prayer.

Let me, in my great weakness

Draw near, always near

To the Lord for His strength. I pray
That God would give me grace and mercy

To become the wife and helper that you need.

Who would do you good, not evil,

All the days of my life. That my hands

Will never be idle. That I will be clothed

With dignity and strength, opening my

Mouth with godly wisdom and

Walking in the fear of the Lord

So that I may bring you honor

And never shame.

May God make me strong

In areas where you are weak.

May He guard my tongue

From any demeaning speech. 

May He give me grace to be modest,

Grace to submit, and grace to give

The respect that you need.

May He help me love you

Faithfully love you – in joy or in sorrow

In health or sickness, in plenty or in lack.

My Gilbert, I will fall short

So I will not look at myself.

I will, instead, look to Christ

And trust, that by His Word,

Into a virtuous wife, for you,

I will be made. 

Amen.