This is the best dowry of hopes, wishes and prayers I would be able to offer:

May God give you the grace of wit and wisdom to understand that rainbows are only the result of showers, dust, and hope.

May you always have joy in the morning and trust in the evening and may your sorrows be short and without scars.

May your lives have a spirit neither bent by belligerence nor broken by failure; may you simply love each other.

May you share with each other spring flowers, dirty dishes, music, rain, death, mushrooms, a measure of boredom, strawberries, and God.

May that God never make you immune to the wonderful afflictions of real love, making you instead farsighted to each other's faults, tongue-tied to criticism, and short of memory to petty hurts and slights.

May God provide the confidence and serenity that comes only from the assurance of each other's fidelity and the tolerance, as years go by, of wrinkles and gray hairs, short tempers, curlers, and Monday mornings.

May no one steal from you laughter at the top of the stairs or giggles and whispers in a dark room.

May you keep a hunger for each other, the appetite to taste tomorrow, and deep knowledge of and devotion to your past, heritage and families.

May you perpetuate trust, the radiation of vitality, kind answers to sharp questions and sharp humor to unkind attitudes.

May your fights be fierce and short, and may each truce be warm and long and held in each other's arms before the sun comes up.

May you walk with wise men, sing loud songs at late hours, share secrets, have healthy children, and provide smiles for lonesome strangers and prayers for those without hope.

May you never forget small things; smiles, birthdays, holding hands, family, old friends, the neglected, and the simplicity of saying please and thank you.

May you keep a warm, generous, and happy house where love is the insulation and God is present. May your children be friends of God's child, Jesus.

May your union bring a smile to the face of the Holy Spirit and may he live in your pots and pans, in your hope and aspirations.

- Author Unknown Appropriate for many faiths

Father, I'm praying for myself and all those in my immediate and extended family (name them)...

May we not only love but accept and enjoy each other. May Your love, joy, peace, and patience be at the heart of our relationships with one another, along with Your kindness and goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. (Galatians 5:22–23a)

May we encourage each other, and build one another up in every circumstance. (1 Thessalonians 5:11)

May we be willing to love each other as unconditionally as You love us, for such love forgives the wrongs of others and makes up for their many personal faults. In love, help us forgive without holding on to anger, resentment, or disappointment. (1 Peter 4:8; Matthew 18:21–22; Ephesians 4:26)

May we love and accept one another just as we are, not waiting for change or perfection—as in Christ You have accepted us. Help us be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other as You have forgiven us. (Ephesians 1:5–6; 4:32)

Help us not to bring past issues into the present.

In Jesus' name, amen.

- Jim & Kaye Johns

Father, I pray for (name one or more) and others in my circle of family and friends to have Christ-centered families...

Help them train their children in the way they should live, and give the children hearts to honor and obey their moms and dads. May the fathers not exasperate their children but bring them up to understand how You want them to live. (1 Corinthians 11:3; Proverbs 22:6; Ephesians 6:1,4)

May every husband love his wife as he loves himself, as Christ loved and was willing to give Himself up for the church. Help husbands not be harsh with their wives but be considerate, treating them with respect so their prayers won’t be hindered. (Ephesians 5:33a, 25; Colossians 3:19; 1 Peter 3:7)

May each wife respect her husband and submit to him as to the Lord, as the church submits to Christ. As all of us are to do, may they submit to one another out of reverence for Christ, each looking to the interests of the other. (Ephesians 5:33b, 22, 21; Philippians 2:4) Keep their families strong and together; help them to be givers and not takers.

In Jesus' name, Amen.

- Jim & Kaye Johns