How can I prepare myself for marriage?

TL;DR:

If you want to prepare yourself for marriage, you need to trust God and seek His will for your future marriage. Start by becoming the kind of person you’d want to marry—grounded in faith, growing in character, and ready to love like Christ.

what does the bible say?

Preparing for marriage begins with trusting God and seeking His guidance regarding if to marry, who to marry, and when to marry (Proverbs 3:5-6). God sanctifies His children, helping them to grow spiritually and develop qualities like love, faithfulness, humility, and service, which are essential for a healthy marriage (2 Corinthians 5:17; Philippians 1:6). Those considering marriage should understand God’s design and purpose for it and a husband and wife’s role in it. It is also important to pray for your future spouse’s spiritual growth and well-being even before you meet him or her and to seek advice and encouragement from experienced married couples (Proverbs 11:14, 19:20). Along with focusing on your spiritual growth, taking practical steps, such as managing finances wisely, adopting healthy habits, and working through past emotional wounds (Proverbs 22:7; 1 Corinthians 6:19-20; Psalm 147:3), helps prepare you for the realities of married life. Ultimately, living intentionally in your faith equips you to become the kind of partner who reflects God’s love and builds a strong, lasting relationship.

from the old testament

Trusting God and seeking His guidance is foundational before entering any major life step, including marriage (Proverbs 3:5-6).

from the new testament

As Christians our first priority in life is to worship God in all that we do. First Corinthians 10:31 declares, "So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God." We are to love God above all else and to obey His commands; this is the best preparation for marriage.
When we accept Christ as our Savior, God begins a process of transforming us and molding us into a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17). This transformation does not happen overnight, but if we continue to draw close to God, little by little we will become less like the world and more like Him (Romans 12:2; James 4:8). Growing in our faith is the most important way we can prepare ourselves for marriage (Ephesians 5:1-2).
The Bible explains the role husbands and wives have in a marriage (Ephesians 5:22-28). Those considering marriage should be familiar with such passages.

implications for today

The most important preparation for marriage is to worship and obey God. When we are aligned with God's will, He can work in us to accomplish His purposes for our lives and His kingdom. As we mature in our faith, we will become more proficient in being faithful, serving others, loving unconditionally, and humbling ourselves in submission to God's will. God will heal our brokenness and refine us into better people. Every day we will begin to embody more and more the biblical description of godly men and women, and we will be equipped with the things necessary for being godly husbands and wives.

While our spiritual growth is the most important preparation for marriage, a few other practical steps can prepare you for your future spouse. First, you should pray for your future spouse even before you have met him or her. God knows what you need, but He loves to hear it directly from you. Pray for your spouse's relationship with God to be strengthened as well. Next, you should talk to married couples for advice and encouragement. They can provide you with priceless guidance and pre-marital counseling. Also, work on improving all aspects of your life. Be an active participant in the transformation God is unveiling. This could mean you need to make wise financial decisions to get out of debt or make healthier habits surrounding eating and exercising. Maybe you need to deal with holding onto your past or an unwillingness to accept the realities of your future spouse's past. Finally, go live each day abundantly in Christ.

understand

Preparing for marriage starts with trusting God and seeking His will.
Spiritual growth is essential—it shapes your character and equips you for marriage.
Practical preparation—such as praying for your future spouse, seeking wise counsel, and improving emotional, physical, and financial health—helps you become the kind of partner who reflects Christ’s character and love.

reflect

How are you actively seeking God’s guidance for your future marriage right now?
How is your personal relationship with Christ shaping the kind of spouse you are becoming?
What areas of your life—emotional, spiritual, or practical—need healing or growth before you enter into marriage?

engage

What does it look like to become the kind of person you’d want to marry, and how can we support each other in that process?
How can we balance spiritual preparation with practical readiness for marriage?
How have married couples you know modeled Christlike love and character, and what lessons can we take from their example?