Bridal showers are joyful gift-giving celebrations held in honor of a bride-to-be as she prepares herself for her upcoming wedding. The thought of an upcoming marriage can sometimes be nerve-racking for some—apart from the finances, logistics, and other things to be considered in order for a wedding to be a success, one also can’t help but worry about the future, especially since matrimony is a big chapter of life.
This bridal shower prayer will help the bride feel more at ease at her own party and will help her family members pray to God that a long, happy, and prosperous Christ-rooted marriage awaits her.
Bridal shower prayer
Our Heavenly Counselor,
We come before You today as a host of humble, penitent hearts seeking Your mercy and grace. On this joyous day, we all extend our hands and hearts to the bride-to-be (name of bride-to-be) who will soon step into a new chapter in her life, one that would not be possible if it wasn’t for Your unfailing and sufficient grace.
We pray for the beautiful and gracious bride-to-be who has faithfully and patiently waited a long time for the man You have prepared for her. May You bless their upcoming marriage with happiness. In all seasons—be it in times of storms or times of plentiful harvest, may they remain ever faithful to You and to each other. May they spend the rest of their days enjoying the comfort of each others’ company; may their bond stand through the test of time and hardship. We pray that their faith will remain steadfast and sure; and that as long as they put You at the center of their union, You will be with them through this wonderful lifelong journey as husband and wife.
While the wedding is yet to be upon us, we pray for the future bride. We feel her excitement, yet we feel her rising anxiety and nervousness as well. Marriage is a big leap to take, and preparing for a wedding can be stressful and draining. We gathered here today not just to toast a love discovered and nurtured but to give our own love and support to the bride-to-be. Although she has physically matured and is no longer the wonderful child many of her loved ones remember her to be, we pray that she will continue to grow—spiritually, emotionally, and personally—throughout their marriage. May she learn to find joy in times of hardship and learn to put her trust in her future husband, who will become her partner and soulmate through many of life’s obstacles once they are joined as one.
May she always remember that she is never alone in her struggles–she has her husband, she has us, her loved ones, and most of all, she has You, her Heavenly Father. We all wish her nothing but pure joy, wisdom, love, and the adventure of a lifetime as she prepares to embark on a new journey, no longer alone but with her husband-to-be.
We pray for all those who gave of their time by coming here today to celebrate this moment in her life: parents, siblings, dearest friends, and family members, and even those who are physically absent but are with us today in spirit and memory. Thank You for all the hands that worked together to make this celebration a success.
Amen.
Short prayer for bridal shower
Lord God, bless the bride-to-be’s (name of bride) upcoming marriage with fruitfulness and faithfulness; may joy and prosperity follow them for the rest of their days. In trying times, may she draw strength and find encouragement in her husband. May they build the loving and God-centered family they’ve always wanted. The story of their love is proof of Your wonderful plans not just for her but for all of us. Amen.
The Word of God
with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love
Ephesians 4:2 NRSVUE
Above all, maintain constant love for one another, for love covers a multitude of sins.
1 Peter 4:8 NRSVUE
But Ruth said, “Do not press me to leave you, to turn back from following you! Where you go, I will go; where you lodge, I will lodge; your people shall be my people and your God my God. Where you die, I will die, and there will I be buried. May the Lord do thus to me, and more as well, if even death parts me from you!”
Ruth 1:16-17 NRSVUE
A woman of strength who can find? She is far more precious than jewels.
Proverbs 31:10 NRSVUE
Intercessory prayer to Saint Dorothy
Our Blessed Dorothea of Caesarea, patron saint of brides,
Saint Dorothy, as we gather here today to congratulate the bride-to-be, we pray that the Lord will bless her and her future husband with a fruitful marriage. May their wedding plans go smoothly, and may their hearts be joined as one through the Lord’s blessing.
When times get tough, gently remind them of the true essence of love: it is imperfect and flawed and never immune from pain and misunderstandings, but it is nurturing and perseveres through adversities. As the Apostle Paul said, love is patient and kind and never envies or boasts; never proud nor self-seeking. May she dedicate herself to her husband just as Jesus dedicated Himself to the Church and the people.
We pray that our lovely bride-to-be will feel Your love and care for her through her future husband.
For those who have yet to taste the sweetness of true love, we pray that they, too, will find someone who will love and cherish them unconditionally, building and encouraging them according to God’s plan.
Saint Dorothy, pray for her. Amen.
Further reflection
For a woman, marriage is more than just binding oneself to a man you love and spending her life with that special person. Growing up and learning to be independent is one thing, but meeting the man that God has carefully prepared for her and learning to work together and rely on each other for support is another. Marriage is one big adventure, and like many odysseys, it has its ups and downs. There are times when life couldn’t get any more perfect and blessings seem to overflow, and times when everything seems hopeless and despair sets in like a stormcloud. In all seasons, husband and wife must stick together through adversities and abundance, through sicknesses and good health. It is not just the law that unites them; it is God Himself, and He will never forsake the households who remain loyal to His Word.
May this prayer for the beautiful bride be a medium of meditation not just for the bride-to-be but also for her loved ones who gather to offer her their congratulations and best wishes for her upcoming wedding. May it spark the flame of the Holy Spirit among their hearts and remind everyone that God is love and that His grace has made this relationship into a beautiful love story of resilience and faithfulness that will soon culminate into something more.
