Opening
P: In the name of the Father and of the ✠ Son and of the Holy Spirit.
C: Amen.
Prayer
P: Let us pray. Gracious Father, You have blessed [Adam] and [Eve] with love for one another and the desire to be joined in holy matrimony. We give You thanks for bringing them together and ask Your blessing upon this time of engagement. Grant them wisdom, patience, and faithfulness as they prepare for their wedding day and their life together. Strengthen them in prayer, preserve them in purity, and guide them in all their preparations, that when they stand before Your altar and receive one another, they may do so with joyful hearts; through Jesus Christ, our Lord.
C: Amen.
Scripture Reading: Genesis 2:18-24
And the Lord God said, “It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him a helper comparable to him.” Out of the ground the Lord God formed every beast of the field and every bird of the air, and brought them to Adam to see what he would call them. And whatever Adam called each living creature, that was its name. So Adam gave names to all cattle, to the birds of the air, and to every beast of the field. But for Adam there was not found a helper comparable to him.
And the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall on Adam, and he slept; and He took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh in its place. Then the rib which the Lord God had taken from man He made into a woman, and He brought her to the man.
And Adam said: “This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.” Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.
Address/Encouragement
The pastor may give a brief encouragement on the blessings of Christian marriage, the purpose of engagement as a time of preparation, and the importance of prayer and patience during this season.
Declaration of Intent
P: [Adam] and [Eve], you have come before God, to declare your intention to be joined together in holy matrimony. The time of engagement is a gift, a time of hope, preparation, and prayer for the sacred covenant and gift of marriage.
P: [Adam], do you intend to take [Eve] to be your wedded wife, to live together according to God’s Word in the holy estate of matrimony?
Adam: I do, with the help of God.
P: [Eve], do you intend to take [Adam] to be your wedded husband, to live together according to God’s Word in the holy estate of matrimony?
Eve: I do, with the help of God.
Commitment to Preparation, Prayer, and Purity
P: Engagement is a time of preparation and growth. Will you commit to making this time of engage prepare diligently for your marriage, growing in faith, seeking counsel, and deepening your understanding of God’s design for husband and wife?
Response: We will, with the help of God.
P: Will you commit yourselves to prayer, both individually and together, asking God to guide, strengthen, and bless you in this time of preparation?
Response: We will, with the help of God.
P: Scripture says, “Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled.” (Hebrews 13:4) Will you honor God and one another by preserving yourselves in purity and chastity until you are joined together in marriage?
Response: We will, with the help of God.
Exchange of Engagement Ring(s) (Optional)
Engagement ring(s) may be blessed and exchanged.
Prayer for the Engaged Couple
P: Almighty God, You have given [Adam] and [Eve] the honorable desire to be united in marriage. We ask that You would bless and keep them during this time of engagement. Send them Your Holy Spirit, that the preparation for their marriage day and life together would be filled with joyful expectation and hope. Give them wisdom for the work and planning. Give them enriching conversation. Hear their prayers. Preserve them in purity, and grant them patience and wisdom as they rejoice in Your gifts. Help them to grow in faith and love for You, and in love for each another, and let their home be a reflection of Christ’s love for His Church. When the day of their marriage arrives, may they stand before You with joyful hearts, ready to receive Your blessing upon their life together; through Jesus Christ, our Lord.
C: Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer
All: Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven; give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen.
Benediction
P: The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make His face shine on you and be gracious to you. The Lord look upon you with favor and ✠ give you peace.
C: Amen.
Closing Hymn: The Doxology
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him, all creatures here below;
Praise Him above, ye heav’nly host:
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.