Please pray for me to be at peace with my current state in life (single). I am tormented by the fact that I am 38 and not married with children. I soon will not be able to have children! I have spoken to a priest and told him everything I am doing to fulfill my vocation. He said it sounded like I was doing everything one is supposed to do to get married and had no further advice for me.
Please, I beg you, pray for me to be at peace with the fact that I am single. Please.
Opera:
Our Lord wants you to be at peace. Jesus said,
“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” (
John 16:33 ESV)
And, Concerning the Love of Christ, St. Paul the Apostle said:
*What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised— who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? As it is written,
“For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.”*No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 8:31-39 ESV
If nothing can separate us from the love of Christ, do you think the fact you’re single and childless is going to have any effect on how God feels towards you? On how much He loves you?
Next time you go to church, please look at our Lord Jesus’ palms, and at the nails…
"Can a woman forget her nursing child,
- that she should have no compassion on
the son of her womb?*
Even these may forget,
yet I will not forget you.
Behold, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands;"
Isaiah 49:15-16a ESV
Our Lord Jesus loves you so much He engraved your name into the palms of His hands using the Roman nails that were pounded into his hands when He was crucified…
If God loves you that much, do you think He wants you to be upset that you are single? Do you think that He doesn’t have a plan for you? or, That He can’t use you as you are as long as you’re willing to be used? You have a vocation now - It is to love and serve God in whatever state of life you are in.
Speaking of God’s plan, when was the last time you read this:
Sing, O barren one, who did not bear;
- break forth into singing and cry aloud,*
- you who have not been in labor!*
For the children of the desolate one will be more
- than the children of her who is married," says the LORD.*
Enlarge the place of your tent,
- and let the curtains of your habitations be stretched out;*
do not hold back; lengthen your cords
- and strengthen your stakes.*
For you will spread abroad to the right and to the left,
- and your offspring will possess the nations*
- and will people the desolate cities. *
Fear not, for you will not be ashamed;
- be not confounded, for you will not be disgraced;*
for you will forget the shame of your youth,
- and the reproach of your widowhood *
- you will remember no more.*
For your Maker is your husband,
- the LORD of hosts is his name; *
- and the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer,*
- the God of the whole earth he is called.*
Isaiah 54:1-6 ESV
If you have a chance, please read Isaiah 52:13-54:17 I linked it to
BibleGateway for you. I think you’ll find a lot of comfort and learn something about who God is and how much He wants to heal and use you to glorify His Name.
I know you’ve spoken with a priest, but do you have a Spiritual Director, someone you can talk about with about these issues (& your vocation) on an ongoing basis? I really sense the need for one here, & I’m sure regular spiritual counsel would help you with a lot of what’s stealing your peace.
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:6-7 NIV
Your Brother & Servant in Christ, Michael
