Here are three things you should be clear about before you commit to a lifetime relationship in marriage (if you're not in this situation yourself, perhaps you could use these points to guide your prayers for others):

(1) Does your partner have a strong relationship with Jesus? 'Can two people walk together without agreeing on the direction' (Amos 3:3 NLT)? To stay together, you must walk in step and in the same direction. (2) Is your partner growing spiritually? 'But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ' (2 Peter 3:18 NIV). If you are not growing together, you will eventually grow apart. Shared faith and values will keep you together for the long haul. (3) What kind of family background does your partner have? God can help us overcome obstacles caused by family dysfunction. But you need to know what you're dealing with before you vow to love one another 'for better or for worse'. Paul wrote: 'Carry each other's burdens...this way you will fulfil the law of Christ' (Galatians 6:2 NIV). But you need to know upfront what those burdens are before committing to a lifetime of helping to share them.

The Bible tells us: 'If anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: the old has gone' (2 Corinthians 5:17 NIV)! This doesn't mean keeping your past secret or lying about it. Mutual transparency is the name of the game! When you know the whole truth about one another, the past loses its power to sabotage your present and your future. No spouse is perfect, but don't settle for less than God's best.

— SCRIPTURE —
'Can two walk together, unless they are agreed?' Amos 3:3 NKJV
— SOULFOOD —
1 Sam 27-31, Matt 24:15-25, Ps 102:12-17, Pro 17:7-10