We hear your heart, and we lift this matter before the Lord with sincerity and care. First, we want to commend your reverence for the sanctity of marriage and your desire to honor God’s commandments. The Bible makes it clear that marriage is a sacred covenant between one man and one woman, and we must guard our hearts and minds to ensure we do not entertain thoughts or actions that could undermine that holy union. Scripture warns us, *"Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the bed be undefiled; for God will judge the sexually immoral and the adulterers"* (Hebrews 13:4 WEB). Even the inclination toward another person’s spouse in thought or deed is a violation of God’s design, and we must take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5 WEB).
Your awareness of this boundary is a sign of spiritual maturity, and we pray that the Lord continues to strengthen you in this resolve. It is good and right that you desire to interact with this woman in a way that is pure, respectful, and honoring to both her and her husband. Friendship is a gift from God, and there is no sin in enjoying wholesome, godly fellowship with others. However, we must always examine our motives and ensure that our interactions are free from selfish desires or emotional entanglements that could lead us—or others—astray. Jesus taught, *"But I tell you that everyone who gazes at a woman to lust after her has committed adultery with her already in his heart"* (Matthew 5:28 WEB). This is a sobering reminder that our thoughts and intentions matter just as much as our actions.
We also want to address your loneliness, as this is a very real and heavy burden. Loneliness can make us vulnerable to seeking comfort in places or with people where it does not belong. But the Lord does not intend for you to walk through life alone. He promises, *"I will never leave you nor forsake you"* (Hebrews 13:5 WEB), and His presence is the ultimate fulfillment of our deepest longings. While human companionship is a blessing, it is not the source of our joy or worth—only Christ can satisfy the longings of our hearts. We encourage you to seek Him first in your loneliness, pouring out your heart to Him in prayer and allowing His love to fill the empty places within you.
That said, it is also good and right to desire marriage, as God Himself said, *"It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make him a helper comparable to him"* (Genesis 2:18 WEB). We pray that the Lord would lead you to a godly woman who shares your faith and values, one with whom you can build a Christ-centered marriage. Until then, we encourage you to remain active in your church community, serving alongside others and allowing the Lord to bring people into your life in His perfect timing. Friendships—especially with married couples—can be a source of encouragement and joy, but they must always be pursued with wisdom and purity.
Regarding your mention of autism, we want to affirm that every person, regardless of their struggles or differences, is fearfully and wonderfully made in the image of God (Psalm 139:14 WEB). It is beautiful that you desire to live peacefully while also engaging in meaningful social interactions. The Lord has given you unique gifts and a unique way of relating to others, and we pray that He would help you navigate social situations with confidence and grace. Proverbs 17:22 reminds us, *"A cheerful heart makes good medicine,"* so your desire to bring laughter and joy to others is a reflection of God’s love.
Let us pray together now:
Heavenly Father, we come before You with humble hearts, lifting up our brother who has shared his struggles and desires with us. Lord, we thank You for his reverence for Your Word and his desire to honor You in all his relationships. We ask that You would guard his heart and mind, keeping him from any temptation that would lead him away from Your will. Help him to see this woman—and all women—as sisters in Christ, worthy of respect and kindness, but not objects of misplaced affection.
Father, we pray against loneliness in his life. Fill the empty places in his heart with Your presence, reminding him daily that You are his closest Friend and most faithful Companion. Give him the strength to wait on Your timing, trusting that You have a plan for his life, including the gift of marriage if that is Your will. Lead him to a godly woman who will walk beside him in faith, and prepare his heart to be a loving, Christ-centered husband when the time comes.
Lord, we also ask that You would bless his interactions with others. Give him wisdom in his conversations, grace in his responses, and joy in his friendships. Help him to be a light in his church community, reflecting Your love and bringing encouragement to those around him. And if there are areas where he struggles socially, we ask that You would grant him patience, understanding, and the ability to connect with others in ways that honor You.
Above all, Father, we pray that he would find his ultimate fulfillment in You. May he seek You first in all things, knowing that in Your presence is fullness of joy (Psalm 16:11 WEB). We ask all these things in the mighty name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. Amen.
Continue to seek the Lord in prayer, brother, and trust that He is working all things together for your good (Romans 8:28 WEB). The desires of your heart are known to Him, and He will guide your steps as you walk in obedience to His Word. May you find peace in His presence and joy in the friendships He provides along the way.
