Teresa Snipes
I started doing bridal showers differently several years ago. I wanted to have a bridal shower for a dear friend’s soon to be daughter-in-law who lived in another state. I prayed and asked God to give me an idea of how to make her feel welcome and a way for her to see how many people had been praying for her for years since we had been praying for her fiance.
God gave me an idea for a bridal prayer tea/shower. Everyone came into a typical tea where scones with Devonshire cream and preserves and fruit were served. White and pale colors on the tables with tea lights made everything glow. I set out enough tea sets to serve those coming with my tea chest centrally located so people could choose their tea and pick out a pretty cup. At each tea set was a teapot with hot water, cream, and sugar so people could be spread out as they fixed their cup of tea.
After everyone had visited for a while, we gathered in the great room where all the gifts were piled onto a center table, with some overflowing onto the floor. Three chairs have been set up. The bride was in the middle chair bookended by her mother and soon to be mother-in-law.
I previously asked the bride to come up with a list of things for which she would like the group to pray. I added to this list since most brides do not have a clue as to all they should praying for! I reworded the prayer requests to make sure the bride and groom’s names were on each request. For example: For Tom and Joy to make a home where Christ is the center and their home is built upon that solid rock.
I printed off the prayer requests and cut them into strips with one request on each slip. The slips were folded and placed in a basket. As women arrived, they were asked to pull a prayer request from the basket.
As the bride began opening gifts, the giver was pointed out as is typical at most bridal showers. If the giver had a prayer request, I asked them to tell a little about how they knew the bridegroom and mother or tell a funny story about the bridegroom that the bride may not know. The giver then prayed a short prayer for what was on her slip of paper.
As we progressed through gifts and prayers there was lots of laughter, some tears of joy, and lots of fun and memorable moments. There is a bonding that happens when we pray for people that changes everything. When the gifts were all opened, I asked the bride to kneel in the middle of the floor with the mothers on either side of her. I shared with everyone the Old Testament blessing from Numbers 6 that my husband and I have given our children each night for the last 13 years and why. I then asked the guests to pray the blessing with me over the bride. Afterwards, I asked each lady to please take a candle and candle holder from the tray at the front door as they left. I asked them to put it in a special place such as their sink so when they see the candle they will be reminded to pray for this couple once again.
