Almighty God,
who hast created us in thine own image
and made us for one another:
Look with favor on these thy servants
who come to make their marriage vows before thee.
Grant them wisdom and devotion in the ordering of their common life,
that each may be to the other a strength in need,
a counselor in perplexity,
a comfort in sorrow,
and a companion in joy.
And so knit their wills together in thy will,
that they may grow in love and peace
all the days of their life;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
ECUMENICAL TRADITIONAL; BCP AND ECUMENICAL SOURCES
A Prayer Before a Wedding
Also known as Wedding Prayer ยท Prayer for the Bride and Groom
About this prayer
Christian marriage is a significant moment in the life of the Church across all traditions. While the theology of marriage differs between Catholic, Orthodox, and Protestant traditions (Catholic and Orthodox regard it as a sacrament; most Protestant traditions regard it as a covenant before God and the community), all traditions mark it with prayer. The prayer given here is an ecumenical prayer suitable for use before or during a Christian wedding service. It asks for God's blessing on the couple, for their love to be grounded in God's love, and for their life together to reflect the commitment they make to each other and to God. It draws on language common to the wedding liturgies of the BCP, the Catholic Rite of Marriage, and traditional Protestant services.
When it's said
This prayer is said before or during a Christian wedding service, typically by the officiant on behalf of the congregation and wedding party. It may be said at the beginning of the service as a prayer of gathering, or before the exchange of vows. Many families also use it as a private prayer before the ceremony begins.
Notes on the text
The phrase 'knit their wills together in thy will' draws on the BCP marriage service tradition. The three roles named (strength in need, counselor in perplexity, comfort in sorrow) cover the practical reality of a shared life rather than only its celebratory aspects, reflecting the Anglican tradition of honest realism in wedding liturgy.
Source
Ecumenical prayer drawing on the Book of Common Prayer, 1662, and traditional Christian wedding liturgy. Public domain.
Last reviewed: May 2026 against primary source.