Song - Lonely Man's Prayer
- Bible Brian
- 12 minutes ago
- 6 min read
Lyrics
[Verse 1]
How long, O Lord, will I wait?
Two years, four years, six years, eight?
I humbly bow before your throne,
praying please don't leave me here alone.
The years have passed, the nights grow cold,
I’ve searched so long, but I'm growing old.
I’ve prayed this prayer a thousand times,
asking for someone to call mine...
[Chorus]
O Lord who formed Eve from Adam’s side1,
You see the tears that I can't hide.
I trust Your hand though I can’t see,
is there anyone meant for me?
O God who sees, and God who knows,
who hears the prayer as my heart groans,
you knit my soul, you know its cry,
oh, I ask you for a bride.
[Verse 2]
Your Word says “he who finds a wife
Finds a good thing"2, yet I find only strife.
I've searched for her with weary eyes
but still no hand to hold at night.
Am I reaping what I've sown?3
Will You leave me here alone?
I commit to you my pain,
as I trust in Jesus' name.
[Chorus]
O Lord who formed Eve from Adam’s side,
you see the tears that I can't hide.
I trust Your hand though I can’t see,
is there anyone meant for me?
O God who sees, and God who knows,
who hears the prayer as my heart groans,
you knit my soul, you know its cry...
oh, I ask you for a bride.
[Bridge]
Is there an Eve to my Adam?
Is there a Sarah to my Abraham?
Is there a Ruth to my Boaz?
Is there a Mary to my Joseph?
[Final Chorus]
O Lord who formed Eve from Adam’s side,
you see the tears that I can't hide.
I trust Your hand though I can’t see,
is there anyone meant for me?
O God who sees, and God who knows,
who hears the prayer as my heart groans,
you knit my soul, you know its cry,
oh, I ask you for a bride.
[Outro]
You gave Your Son,
you won my trust,
your heart is wise,
your ways are just.
And so I ask for grace,
To see your glory in this dreadful place.
And if You will, then bring me soon,
a wife with whom to worship you.
Background
As the name alone suggests, Lonely Man's Prayer is sung as a prayer from the perspective of a lonely man, seeking a wife. The song is very personal to me, to the point where initially, I didn't want to share it beyond my friend group. However, I know that it is a common struggle, so I thought it would be helpful to others.
The song begins by venting frustration and impatience. Without saying specifically how old I am, I've been single for a very long time. Two years, four years, 6 years, 8, and even beyond that, is how long I have already waited, over which time I have repeatedly prayed for that wait to end. Yet, as of the time this song was written, and even as I write this, there is no evidence to suggest the end is imminent.
Being more of a private prayer than a song designed to edify, there isn't a vast amount of Scripture involved. Furthermore, because it conveys even my most irrational thoughts, when Scripture does feature in verse 2, it isn't in its proper context. Proverbs 18:22, which reads "He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the Lord", is a Proverb. This doesn't mean it's not true, but it does mean it's not a hard and fast rule. It is possible to marry outside the will of the Lord. To marry one's spiritual opponent, for example, is unwise. This actually would be the position I would be in if I had married my former girlfriend, an extremely vocal atheist.
This proverb thus emphasises the value of marriage, but it should not be taken without qualification: He who finds a Godly wife finds a good thing, and obtains favor from the Lord. It is better to remain single than to marry the wrong woman (or even wrong women, as even Solomon fell afoul of the scourge of polygamy).
Far worse is the way I ask "am I reaping what I've sown?" This is a reference to Galatians 6:7, where Paul says "Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap." Interpreting this verse in isolation might lead one to believe in karma, as seen in the popular show "My Name Is Earl", which, in part, is how I interpret my situation. See, I have not always handled my singleness well. I struggle with lust, and in the absolute depths of desperation (usually following a painful "break up"), even my former struggles with homosexuality resurface. And so I ask myself if I'm single as punishment for my failures? Have I been denied a wife because I looked at something I shouldn't have? Is this discipline, intended to remove all same sex attraction until I am ready for a wife?
Realistically, I know the answer is no, especially as I watch others with similar issues find happier endings. To hold this interpretation, I would have to argue that I am either uniquely hated, or uniquely loved by God. I would also have to completely ignore the context of Galatians 6:7, both according to the theme of the book as a whole, and in relation to the surrounding verses. The very next verse says "For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life." So what is Paul saying? Does he mean if you do bad things, bad things will happen to you? No, he is speaking of the world to come. Thus, this thought is irrational, but it is nevertheless a genuine feeling, and so it is one I commit to the Lord. After all, it's not as if I could hide it...
The chorus ties the whole thing together. It highlights the very beginning of humanity, in which God declares "It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him." (Genesis 2:18). Of course, this is not a hard and fast rule, and in fact Scripture quite explicitly shows that singleness, at least for those who can accept it, is a great virtue. Paul in particular was single in his service to the Lord, and points to this as a good pattern for others to follow. Furthermore, while the Church are the "bride of Christ", this is obviously not literal: Jesus spent His entire earthly life with no romantic relationship.
But this line is more of an appeal to God's power than suggesting there is something inherently bad here. God can give me a wife, even by miraculous means if He should so desire. However, by miracle, or by directing sheer coincidence, He is not obligated to do so. Thus, the chorus retains the theme of seeking a bride, but also acknowledging the uncertainty from my perspective. God does not share this uncertainty. He knows the entire future of my love life. Will He grant me a wife? Will I be single until He calls me home? I don't know, He does. Thus, the song displays resolute trust, knowing that God's plan has thus far been painful (and will likely continue to be, it's just a question of how painful), but trusting Him in spite of that.
The bridge before the final chorus lists four famous "power couples": Eve and Adam, Sarah and Abraham, Ruth and Boaz, and of course Mary and Joseph. There is greater depth here in that I recognise the strain within these relationships. God's hand is clearly visible not only in pairing these couples, but actually, even throughout the relationship. The struggle does not end at marriage, it ends at death.
And that, of course, is where the final outro ties things in. It brings in a reminder of the Gospel, showing that God's own love for me is so powerful, and so self-evident, that I would trust Him even if it became obvious that I am doomed to die alone. Even marriage, while it is the norm in this life, ends at death. After death, eternal life begins, and there, we are neither married, nor given in marriage (Matthew 22:30). Thus, it's important to not make this the issue.
Nevertheless, it is my hope that He will, eventually, bless me with a wife. Thus, the final line is "and if you will, then bring me soon, a wife with whom to worship you." This, again, defers to His judgement. If He wills. If not? Then for His glory, I have lost nothing.
Scripture references
Genesis 2:22
Proverbs 18:22
Galatians 6:7
AI usage
This song was produced using Mozart AI.
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