A Prayer about Longing for Love

Loving Father,

Why is it that Valentine’s Day, 

a day that is meant to celebrate love, 

can make many people feel deeply unloved and profoundly alone?

I remember Valentine’s Days in middle and high school, 

longing so desperately to have the “cupid” 

call my name to come forward and collect a wilted carnation. 

I imagine many others have their own past memories 

and present moments of longings for love unrequited. 

May those deep longings for love, 

whether for the love of a parent, the love of a friend, or the love of a spouse, 

be met with your tenderness and compassion. 

May we all recognize that you created us for relationship, 

and that our longings for love are good. 

Where we are lonely, draw us near to your heart, 

and declare your delight over us. 

Not only that, transform our minds 

so that we truly believe you love us, 

even if you haven’t given us the love on this earth 

that we so dearly crave. 

Hold us tightly in your steadfast love, 

reminding us that you will never leave us nor forsake us. 

In Jesus’ tender name. Amen.

Read Psalm 73:26; Psalm 136.