Dear Heavenly Father, We pray that Lauren and Jonathan’s love reflects that of Jesus and that they continue to look to Him as their perfect example of love. That they may abandon all selfish intention, striving to love one another well with the fullness of their mind, their body, their emotions, their time, their plans, no matter what season life brings. We pray that Lauren and Jonathan aid one another in their individual vocations, that all they do and say is to help each other become all that God intended them to be. That they may share in each other’s joys, and equally, share in each other’s burdens. We pray that Lauren and Jonathan remain best friends, that this friendship continues to flourish in the new bounds created within the covenant of marriage. And we pray for the longevity and nourishment of the community that surrounds them and inspires them daily to love one another selflessly and unconditionally. Amen. “Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.” ‭‭1 John‬ ‭4‬:‭7‬-‭12‬ ‭NIV‬‬ “Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.” ‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭4‬:‭2‬-‭3‬ ‭NIV‬‬ “Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.” ‭‭Romans‬ ‭12‬:‭10‬ ‭NIV‬‬