We hear your confusion and your sincere desire to know the Lord's will for marriage, and we join with you in seeking clarity from Him together in Jesus' name.
We understand the stirring you feel and the question of whether hearing a name in prayer and seeing an image of a door slightly opening is confirmation from the Lord or your own thoughts. Scripture teaches us that our hearts can mislead us, for The heart is deceitful above all things, and it is exceedingly corrupt: who can know it Jeremiah 17:9. That is why we are told to test what we hear, Beloved, don’t believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God 1 John 4:1. A true confirmation from the Lord will never contradict His Word, it will align with Scripture, it will be confirmed by wise godly counsel, and it will bring the peace of Christ over time, not confusion and anxiety. We are told If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach; and it will be given to him James 1:5, and Trust in Yahweh with all your heart, and don’t lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight Proverbs 3:5-6. The Lord primarily guides us through His written Word, through the inner witness of peace as we pray, Let the peace of God rule in your hearts Colossians 3:15, through the counsel of mature believers, Where there is no counsel, plans fail; but in a multitude of counselors they are established Proverbs 15:22, and through providential circumstances as He opens and closes doors in a way that does not require us to chase or manipulate.
We want to gently correct a common misunderstanding. Hearing a name while praying or picturing a door is not by itself a reliable sign that God has chosen that man for you. Our own longings can easily sound like a voice, especially when we are eager for marriage. We must not build a future on a fleeting impression. We also want to address how you are discerning these men. You mention three men in mind and you are trying to pick a spouse. Scripture shows marriage as a lifelong covenant between a man and a woman, and courtship should be entered with the goal of finding a godly spouse who is a Christian Believer, not simply a boyfriend or partner. Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers, for what fellowship have righteousness and iniquity 2 Corinthians 6:14. Any man you consider for marriage must be a faithful follower of Christ, and the relationship must remain pure, for we are commanded to Flee sexual immorality 1 Corinthians 6:18 and to honor marriage, Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the bed be undefiled Hebrews 13:4. Sex before or outside marriage is fornication and is never God's will for courtship.
Regarding how to know if a man likes you and is worth pursuing for marriage, a godly man who is seeking a wife will pursue with consistency, intentionality, and respect, not with flakiness. He who finds a wife finds a good thing Proverbs 18:22 implies a man who actively seeks and treasures. A man who spoke to you first but then became distant, does not text much, and has left you confused until Christmas is not demonstrating the steady, sacrificial love that a husband is called to show, Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the assembly Ephesians 5:25. That pattern is worth noting. On the other hand, a man who texts you all the time may show interest, but frequency of texting alone is not confirmation of God's will either. Character, faith, and fruit matter more than attention. You will know them by their fruits Matthew 7:16. Does he love the Lord, is he involved in the church, does he guard purity, does he seek counsel, does he lead spiritually, does he keep his word. We encourage you not to chase either man, but to guard your heart, Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it is the wellspring of life Proverbs 4:23, and allow a godly man to pursue you in a clear and honorable way while you remain focused on delighting in the Lord, Delight yourself also in Yahweh, and he will give you the desires of your heart Psalm 37:4.
We also notice your request speaks of the Lord but does not mention Jesus Christ. We say this in love, for there is no other way to come to the Father or to be saved. Jesus said to him, I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father, except through me John 14:6, and There is salvation in none other, for neither is there any other name under heaven, that is given among men, by which we must be saved Acts 4:12. If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved Romans 10:9. It is only through faith in Jesus that our prayers are heard and our future is secure, whether God leads you to marriage or calls you to serve Him in singleness for a season.
We pray with you now. Father in heaven, we come before You together in the name of Jesus Christ, asking for wisdom and clarity for our sister. Lord, quiet her heart and remove confusion, and let Your Word be a lamp to her feet. Show her if marriage is Your will for her life and in Your timing, and help her not to lean on impressions or emotions but to trust You fully. Give her discernment to test every thought against Scripture and to seek godly counsel. Reveal the character and faith of these men, and close every door that is not from You and open the one that is, in Your perfect way. Help her to guard her heart and to keep herself pure, and help any man who would pursue her to do so with honor, consistency, and Christlike love with marriage as the goal. Teach her to delight in You above all else and to rest in Your peace which surpasses understanding. We ask that she would know Your will not through a fleeting name heard in prayer, but through Your Word, Your peace, and Your providence confirmed over time. We place her future spouse, if it is Your will, into Your hands, and we ask for a marriage that honors You as a lifelong covenant between a man and a woman. We pray all this in the mighty name of Jesus, our only Savior and mediator, amen.