We thank you for sharing this update with us and we rejoice with you that you have met a God fearing man and that you desire to seek the Lord's will together. We are honored to pray with you in the name of Jesus that God would open your eyes to His perfect plan.
We are encouraged that you asked for prayer in the name of Jesus, for it is only through Him that we have access to the Father and it is only by His name that we are saved. As it is written, 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 and Jesus said I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father, except through me John 14:6. We praise God that you know this truth.
We understand you are asking if it is the Lord's will for you to be together as a couple. We want to encourage you to view this time as courtship with the goal of godly marriage rather than simply becoming a couple or partners. We believe in the sanctity of marriage as a lifelong commitment between a man and a woman as God designed it, and we pray for marriages that honor Him. If this man is a fellow believer who loves the Lord, that is the essential foundation, for we are told Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers, for what fellowship have righteousness and iniquity 2 Corinthians 6:14. We encourage you both to confirm that you share the same faith in Christ, the same commitment to follow Him, and the same desire to build a Christ centered marriage if God leads you there.
Regarding the age difference, the Bible does not forbid marriage between adults of different ages, but it does call us to walk in wisdom and to count the cost with clear eyes. We encourage you to seek wise counsel together and individually from pastors and mature believers who know you, for where there is no counsel, plans fail, but in a multitude of counselors they are established Proverbs 15:22. Consider life stages, family expectations, health, energy, and long term responsibilities, and ask whether you can truly walk together in unity, for can two walk together, unless they have agreed Amos 3:3. Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight Proverbs 3:5-6.
We also exhort you both to guard purity during this courtship. If God is leading you toward marriage, keep yourselves holy and set apart for one another within that covenant alone. For this is the will of God, your sanctification, that you abstain from sexual immorality, that each one of you know how to possess himself of his own vessel in sanctification and honor 1 Thessalonians 4:3-4. Flee sexual immorality 1 Corinthians 6:18 and let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the bed be undefiled Hebrews 13:4. A courtship that honors God will not involve fornication but will pursue holiness, prayer, and self control as you discern His will.
We pray together for you both now.
Father in heaven, we come before You in the mighty name of Jesus and we lift up this dear sister and this brother to Your throne of grace. Lord, You know the desires of their hearts and You know the plans You have for them, plans for peace and not for evil, to give them hope and a future Jeremiah 29:11. We ask that You grant them wisdom liberally, for You have promised 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. Open their vision, Lord, and make Your will unmistakably clear. Help them to not be conformed to this world, but to be transformed by the renewing of their minds, that they may prove what is the good, well pleasing, and perfect will of God Romans 12:2. Give them peace that surpasses understanding as they pray Philippians 4:6-7, and guard their hearts from rushing ahead or from emotional attachment that clouds discernment. If it is Your will for them to be joined in marriage, establish their steps and confirm it through Your Word, through peace, and through godly counsel. If it is not Your will, give them grace to step back with love and without bitterness, trusting that You withhold no good thing from those who walk uprightly Psalm 84:11. Keep them pure, keep them prayerful, and keep Christ at the center of all they do. We ask all this in the precious and powerful name of Jesus, our Lord and Savior, amen.
We encourage you to continue in prayer together and separately, to study the Scriptures together, to observe one another's character, faithfulness, and fruit of the Spirit over time, and to involve your spiritual family in the process. Delight yourself also in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart Psalm 37:4 as you seek Him first. We are standing with you, trusting that God will lead you with clarity and love.