The date is over. You’re sitting in the driveway when one of you asks, “Could we pray before I go?” You both want to, but neither of you knows who should start. A moment ago, you were laughing and finishing each other’s sentences. Now every word feels too formal.
You can begin with what you already know how to say. “Father, thank You for the time we had today. You know what’s waiting for us when we go home. Please help us with it.” Then give the other person room to add a sentence, or simply say amen.
As you grow closer, the things you bring to God will change. One day you’ll thank Him for the joy of finding each other. Another day you’ll need courage to bring up something you wish you could leave alone. These thirteen relationship prayers for dating couples give you words for both kinds of days. Choose the one that fits where you are today.
1. A prayer for the joy of getting to know each other.
“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above.” — James 1:17, KJV
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank You for the things we’re beginning to learn about each other. Thank You for the stories that make us laugh and for the quieter moments when one of us trusts the other enough to say, “That was a hard time in my life.” Help us receive that trust with care. Keep us curious as the weeks go by. When we think we already know the answer, remind us to ask the question anyway. Before we part today, bring to mind one thing we appreciate about each other, and give us the words to say it out loud. In Jesus’ name, amen.
After you pray: What did you learn about each other this week that you want to remember?
2. A prayer for an honest conversation.
“Let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath.” — James 1:19, KJV
Prayer
Lord, one of us has been rehearsing a conversation the other doesn’t even know we need to have. Give us a quiet time to begin it. Help the one who is worried say plainly, “Here is what happened, and here is how it felt.” Help the one listening stay long enough to understand. When we hear something difficult, steady us through the first moment when we want to defend ourselves. Give us the humility to ask, “Did I understand you correctly?” May each of us come away knowing we can tell the truth and still be treated tenderly. In Jesus’ name, amen.
After you pray: Let one person finish this sentence: “Something I’ve been finding hard to say is…” Before answering, say back what you heard.
3. A prayer for boundaries we both honor.
“Love worketh no ill to his neighbour.” — Romans 13:10, KJV
Prayer
Father, help us talk openly about physical affection, time alone, and the pace at which this relationship is growing. Give us courage to name our convictions before we find ourselves in a moment when speaking feels difficult. When one of us says, “I’d like to slow down,” let the answer come readily and kindly. Teach us to respect a boundary the next day as faithfully as we promised to respect it the night before. Give us good judgment about where we spend our time and the freedom to go home in peace. May the person beside me feel safe being honest with me. In Jesus’ name, amen.
After you pray: Ask each other, “What would help you feel comfortable on our next date?” Agree on one specific way to honor the answer.
4. A prayer after words have hurt.
“A soft answer turneth away wrath.” — Proverbs 15:1, KJV
Prayer
Merciful Father, our last conversation ended badly. You heard the remark that stung and the silence that followed. Show each of us what belongs to us to put right. Where an apology is due, give us words that take responsibility: “I made light of something that mattered to you. I’m sorry.” Help us resist the urge to add a defense or demand forgiveness on the spot. If we shared something private with a friend, show us how to repair that breach of trust. Let the next conversation, and the choices we make afterward, give weight to the words we pray today. In Jesus’ name, amen.
After you pray: Name the hurt in one sentence. If you caused it, offer one repair you can make today and let your partner decide when they are ready to respond.
5. A prayer for growing in faith together.
“O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together.” — Psalm 34:3, KJV
Prayer
Lord Jesus, thank You that we can bring our questions about faith into this relationship. When one of us is eager to talk and the other is still finding words, give us patience. Open our eyes to the ways we can serve You together this week. Give us the willingness to visit someone who is lonely, make room at the table, or keep a promise when nobody is watching. Protect the time each of us spends with You in private, too. When we come together again, give us something honest to share about what You are teaching us. Amen.
After you pray: Choose a short Psalm to read separately this week. At your next meal together, share one line that stayed with you.
6. A prayer before we talk about marriage.
“If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God.” — James 1:5, KJV
Prayer
Heavenly Father, You know what the word marriage brings up for each of us. One of us may hear hope in it while the other feels the weight of promises we’ve seen broken. Help us speak about the homes we grew up in and the kind of home we hope to build. Give us honesty about money, children, faith, and family responsibilities. If our expectations differ, give us patience to hear the whole answer. Lead us to people whose marriages we respect and give us humility to listen to them. Let any promise we make be one we understand and freely choose. In Jesus’ name, amen.
After you pray: Each name one expectation you grew up with about money, children, or caring for parents. Where do your expectations differ?
7. A prayer when we’re unsure about the future.
“In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” — Proverbs 3:6, KJV
Prayer
Father, we care about each other, and there are things we still don’t know. Help us tell the difference between the ordinary fear of taking a serious step and a concern that keeps returning because it needs our attention. Give us courage to speak that concern aloud. Keep either of us from using the words “God told me” to hurry the other into a decision. If we need time or wise counsel, help us ask for it. If our paths lead in different directions, give us grace to part honestly and kindly. We entrust the person we love to Your care. In Jesus’ name, amen.
After you pray: Finish this sentence separately: “Before I can take the next step, I need…” Make room for both answers.
8. A prayer when money is tight.
“Better is little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and trouble therewith.” — Proverbs 15:16, KJV
Prayer
Father, give us the ease to say, “That costs more than I can spend this week.” Keep either of us from quietly taking on debt to impress the other. Help us enjoy a walk, a meal made at home, or an evening on the porch. When one of us can give more, teach us to give freely and receive gratefully. May neither of us go home worried about a bill we were afraid to mention. In Jesus’ name, amen.
After you pray: Plan a date around an amount either of you can comfortably spend. Take turns choosing something you enjoy within it.
9. A prayer for dating from a distance.
“I thank my God upon every remembrance of you.” — Philippians 1:3, KJV
Prayer
Lord, some evenings a phone call feels too short, and on others we are so tired we scarcely know what to say. Help us keep the calls we promise to make and give each other notice when plans change. When a message goes unanswered, give us patience to ask what happened. Bring good friends close to each of us where we live, and help us make room for the ordinary stories we miss when we spend our days apart. In Jesus’ name, amen.
After you pray: Before you end your next call, agree on a time to speak again and how you’ll let each other know if plans change.
10. A prayer before meeting each other’s family.
“Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another.” — Romans 12:10, KJV
Prayer
Heavenly Father, as we pull up to the house, quiet the worry about making a good impression. Help us learn names, listen to the old stories, and offer a hand when the table needs clearing. If a family question touches a tender place, give us grace to help each other through it. On the way home, let our first question be, “How was that for you?” Give us ears for the honest answer. In Jesus’ name, amen.
After you pray: Before the visit, ask, “Is there anything you’d like me to know about your family, or anything you’d prefer to keep private?”
11. A prayer for keeping our friendships strong.
“A friend loveth at all times.” — Proverbs 17:17, KJV
Prayer
Father, thank You for the friends who knew us before we met each other. Bring to mind someone whose last call we meant to return. Help us make time for the friend who eats alone after church and the one who needs an evening to talk in confidence. Give us generosity when our partner keeps those plans. Teach us to welcome the people who have helped shape the person we are coming to love. In Jesus’ name, amen.
After you pray: Name one friendship you miss. Help each other make room for a visit or a call this week.
12. A prayer when one of us is grieving.
“Weep with them that weep.” — Romans 12:15, KJV
Prayer
Loving Father, one of us is hurting, and the other is afraid of saying the wrong thing. Give us the tenderness to ask, “Would you like to talk about them today?” and the patience to sit together whatever the answer. Help us remember the difficult anniversary after everyone else has gone back to their routines. Show us when to bring supper, when to offer a ride, and when simply to stay a little longer. In Jesus’ name, amen.
After you pray: Ask, “Would you like company, help with an errand, or some quiet today?” Check again another day. The answer may change.
13. A prayer for being faithful in the little things.
“He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much.” — Luke 16:10, KJV
Prayer
Lord, bring to mind one promise we made this week. Perhaps it was a ride, a call after work, or a confidence we agreed to keep. Help us follow through even when the promise has slipped the other person’s mind. When we fall short, give us courage to own it and put it right. Let the trust between us grow through ordinary days when our actions tell the same story as our words. In Jesus’ name, amen.
After you pray: Ask, “Is there anything I said I would do that you’re still waiting on?” Choose a time to follow through.
A simple way to pray together this week.
On your next date, ask each other one question: “What is one thing you’d like me to pray about for you this week?” Give your partner time to answer. Use their own words when you pray, especially if what they name seems small. That Thursday appointment or difficult family phone call may have been on their mind all day.
Then remember to ask how it went. Sometimes the most tender part of praying together comes several days after the amen, when the person you’re dating says, “I remembered today was the day. How are you doing?”
Continue praying together with 61 Prayers for Relationships, Lord, Help Me Listen Before I Speak, or the 7-Day Prayer Journey.
About the Author
Ordained Christian Minister Since 1988
Pastor David Small has served in Christian ministry for 38 years, preaching, teaching, and encouraging believers to grow in their relationship with God. His experience includes pastoral leadership, evangelism, biblical teaching, and helping individuals and families navigate life’s challenges through faith and prayer.