We rejoice with you in hearing about your friend’s engagement, for marriage is a sacred covenant established by God, a reflection of Christ’s love for His Church. It is wonderful that you desire to honor your friend and his fiancée in a way that uplifts them and brings glory to God. Your heart to seek permission before using his nickname shows respect and wisdom, and we commend you for wanting to avoid any unnecessary controversy in your communication.
The Scriptures remind us in Romans 12:10 to *"love one another with brotherly affection; outdo one another in showing honor."* Your desire to congratulate him warmly and thoughtfully aligns with this call to honor others. Additionally, Ecclesiastes 3:1 tells us there is *"a time for every purpose under heaven,"* and this is certainly a time for celebration and encouragement.
However, we must gently remind you—and all of us—that true joy in such moments comes not just from human tradition or sentiment, but from aligning our hearts with God’s design for marriage. If your friend and his fiancée are believers, we pray their union will be rooted in Christ, with a commitment to love, serve, and honor one another as unto the Lord. If they are not yet walking with Christ, we pray this season of engagement will draw them closer to Him, for *"unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain who build it"* (Psalm 127:1).
We also encourage you to use this opportunity to speak life into their relationship. If appropriate, you might share a verse like Ephesians 5:25-33, which calls husbands to love their wives as Christ loved the Church, and wives to respect their husbands. Or Proverbs 3:5-6, which reminds them to *"trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight."*
Let us pray together for you and your friend:
Heavenly Father, we thank You for the gift of marriage and for the joy of seeing two lives joined together in commitment. We lift up our brother/sister who seeks to honor his friend in this special time. Lord, grant him the right words to speak—words of encouragement, wisdom, and grace. May his congratulations be filled with Your love and truth. Give him clarity as he reaches out, whether by phone or text, and let his actions reflect Your kindness.
We pray for your friend and his fiancée, that their engagement would be a season of preparation not just for a wedding, but for a lifetime of serving You together. If they do not yet know You, Lord, soften their hearts to receive Your truth. If they are believers, strengthen their faith and bind them together in unity and purpose. Protect their relationship from the enemy’s schemes and fill their home with Your peace.
May this union be a testimony of Your faithfulness, and may they seek You first in all things. We ask this in the precious name of Jesus, our Savior and the foundation of every godly marriage. Amen.
As you reach out to your friend, do so with confidence, knowing that the Lord goes before you. And if the opportunity arises, don’t hesitate to point them to Christ—the true cornerstone of any lasting marriage.