If you're single, regardless of whether you celebrate St Valentine's Day or not, the 14th of February can leave you feeling a little bit left out. For Christians, love is for life, not just for St Valentine's Day but finding the love of your life can be a lot harder than it seems. And the difficulty of finding someone to settle down with has increased in this digital dating age. The rise of dating apps or so-called "hook up apps" have been linked to a rise in STDs and don't appear to be the kind of thing that will help Christians in the dating department, although some Christians have had "success" with these apps. So what other options are out there for Christian singles?
Prayer
As obvious as it may seem, prayer is a great place to start. Talking to God about the issue can help you to identify what may be preventing you from settling down and enable you to work on this. And, of course, there's no harm in asking for a little help.
Church, Christian socials and meetups
No one is suggesting that you scout the pews in between worship. During the service your focus should be entirely on God, but churches are sociable places and full of people who share the same values as you. Does your church run a youth group? Do the congregation get together after Mass for hot drinks and a catch-up? Or maybe there are regular social outings or volunteering opportunities. Whatever the case may be, becoming more involved in your church is not only a great way to grow your faith and give back but it's also a great way to meet people.
Taking part in social activities with a Christian twist can also help. There are speed-dating events specifically for Christians and lots of other social meetups which aren't dating focused. Again, like the church socials, these are great ways to meet new people who share your faith.
Online dating
Depending on your previous experience, personal preference or the countless horror stories you've heard, online dating may be a complete no-no for you. But there are some online dating sites which may be more suitable for Christians. EHarmony and Match.com have both been rated highly by Christians, despite not being solely aimed at helping Christians find that special someone. There are also sites marketed at Christians - Christian Mingle. In contrast to the dating apps, these sites allow for a more detailed profile, giving you a head start on getting to know your potential date in addition to their photo and basic information.
This list is by no means exhaustive and whichever route you try, prayer and the Word is essential throughout.
