Faith leaders have encouraged young people not to rush into finalising their choices without enough meditation time especially when getting into a marriage.
This follows a surge of young couples that have been seeking counselling services from Pastors in the wake of rising marriage disputes.
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Apostle Patricia Zulu of Shekinah Glory Ministries International advised young people to rely on God when making choices about a life partner saying that wrong choices can ruin destinies.
She added that after one has identified a love partner, enough time should be taken to understand one another together with guidance from faith leaders who would help with grooming and teachings that would help both parties become ready for a lifetime commitment.
“Young people should not just rush into marriages. Choices are very important in life therefore youths should be very aware about the choices they make especially when choosing a marriage partner. I would encourage them to pray before them make any choice and to seek guidance. Prayer is necessary because the devil may want to destroy someone’s future or destiny by linking one with a wrong partner. Also young people should take time to understand personalities of their partners,” said Zulu.
Meanwhile, faith leaders have been warned against arranging marriages for young people, a trend that was said to be existing in many denominations which was also believed to have been contributing to unstable marriages.
AGAPAO Worldwide Founder Apostle Innocent Chimhawu bemoaned the norm saying that faith leaders have been abusing their offices.
He said that church leaders’ role should just be offering advice, direction and support young people through prayers and supplications.
“It is very worrisome that some Pastors are choosing marriage partners for young people basing on what they like but this has plunged many young people into wrong marriages. One has to make his or her own choices. What Pastors can do after realising that one has made a wrong choice is to offer advice, pray or enlighten the person in a polite and wise way that does not cause pain or a heartbreak. So the gist is that, leaders must pray for wisdom to perform the role, stick to guiding and advising not to interfere into youths’ choices,” said Chimhawu.
Meanwhile, some of the youths who spoke to Zimgospelmasters said that some faith leaders have been arranging marriages for young people basing on financial backgrounds or relations between the lovers’ parents.
“As youths sometimes we are being pressured to love people who are not of out choice just because our parents eat in the same plate,” said Frank
“In our church we are not allowed to engage with a non-member, this is really limiting our choices. We end up doing what the church policy says just because we love the church but surely we are not pleased with such choices,” said Shantel.
A snap survey contacted by this publication revealed that seven in every ten couples that seek marriage counselling from Pastors are young couples.
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