By Olivia Obijiaku
Yet-to-be-married persons have been charged to make adequate preparations before entering the institution of marriage. The Coordinator of Christ in Me, the Hope of Glory, Catholic Charismatic Renewal in Nigeria (CCRN), Prayer Group, Good Shepherd Parish, Graceland, Zaria, Evangelist Christopher David, gave this charge on Wednesday, January 22, 2025, at the ongoing Parish Revival at St. Mary’s Parish, Samaru Zaria.
He spoke on the topic “Before You Say I Do” (Luke 14:28-30), explaining that it takes a lot to get married and remain married. He pointed out that many people end up in agony as married couples due to inadequate preparation before marriage.
“Everybody goes into marriage with expectations,” the minister asserted. “Nobody wants their marriage to fail. But so many people are carried away with preparations for the wedding, without thinking about what happens after the wedding. The moment you say, ‘Yes, I Do’ on the altar, there is no going back. Marriage is a wonderful experience, but the errors you did not correct in courtship will be worse in marriage.”
“That word is a covenant. There is no graduation from marriage until death does you part. So, there are many things to consider before you say, ‘Yes, I Do.’ Some people get married because others are getting married, so they see it as competition. Before you say, ‘Yes, I Do,’ you must understand why you want to go into the institution of marriage, so that you do not say, ‘No, I Do Not,’ afterwards.”
“What you think may not be what God wants for you in that marriage, and your ideologies may be against the mind of God. You must understand God’s perspective for marriage, so that you do not go into it with your mindset and ideologies. Marriage will open your eyes to what love did not open your eyes to.”
“If you rush into marriage without proper attention to what God is saying, you may rush out of that marriage. You might end up becoming who you do not want to become if you go into marriage with frustration. Go for a break if you are in a ‘cat and rat’ relationship, so that you do not jump in and out of marriage.”
“Be sure that you are getting married to the right person. Marriage courses are meant to help you achieve a certain level of stability before you go into marriage. Surrender yourself to God to make you before you say, ‘Yes, I Do.’ If you allow Him to make you first, He will give you the enablement to go through the journey of marriage successfully.”
“Pray and handle certain things around your life and family before you get married, so that your spouse will not see and be tempted to worship other gods. There are capacities you must possess before you can stay in marriage.”
Evang. David observed that some parents push their children into marrying the wrong persons for selfish interests. He implored both parents and intending couples to study prospective spouses, so that their children do not get trapped for life or leave their marriages in the end.
