25 Verses for Long Distance Relationships & How to Use Them

The reality of long-distance relationships

When my husband and I were married for three years we decided to live apart so we could each continue our schooling and secure a better future for ourselves. Little did we know, it would be four years of living apart before we could live together in the same house again. It was a long four years! One of the hardest things to cope with was not being up to date on what was happening every day with each other. Phone calls and visits helped but it was just plain tough. I never thought we would have a long distance marriage for so long, but we lived through it and are stronger for it.

Research shows that roughly 1/3 of college students have long distance relationships. That’s a lot! All told, roughly 14 million people consider themselves in a long distance relationship, with 3% of those being married. One study reports that 37% of couples about to reunite (within 3 months) break up before they are proximal again. This fact speaks to how difficult the transition back to living near (or with) each other can be.

Long Distance & faith

Having a relationship where there is physical distance separating you creates tough times. For many people God’s presence is the only thing that really gets you through. Even if you are separated from your true love, God holds the two of you together across the miles. Hard times are certain when you are in a long distance relationship.

If you’re a Christian, I know you want to preserve your relationship and trust God during this difficult time. Memorizing Scripture can be a help during challenging times. I know it can be difficult to memorize, but I promise it’s worth the effort! The more Bible verses I commit to memory, the more comforted I feel every day. When situations arise, the right verse comes to mind. It’s uncanny how the Spirit works! The following verses will help your spiritual growth and give you strength during the unique challenges of living apart.

Bible verses & how to use them

Trusting God’s Plan

Trusting God’s guidance for a plan during this time is key. The following verses encourage us to know that the Lord God is with us in difficult times and wants our trust. God never lies and never breaks His promises so you can trust these verses to hold true for you.

Know that He has a plan for you that is good. Understand that you can stop trying to make it all work your way and trust that HE has a plan to work things out for your good.

1. Jeremiah 29:11 – “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.”
2. Proverbs 3:5-6 – “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.”
3. Romans 8:28 – “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.”

Patience and Endurance

Living apart requires a great deal of patience and endurance. While we are waiting to be reunited with our loved one, we are also waiting for God’s plan for us. Effective communication is key during this time of patience and endurance.

These verses tell of the virtues of waiting and that we need to wait on the Lord, not just our circumstances to change. Have faith in God that His plan is perfect. Reflect on His love for you as you wait.

4. Lamentations 3:25 – “The Lord is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him.”
5. Isaiah 40:31 – “But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.”
6. James 1:12 – “Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.”
7. Psalm 27:14 – “Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!”

God’s Love and Our Commitment

God loved us so much that He sent His Son to die for us. That’s very humbling for me. I can’t even fathom that kind of love. The challenges of distance are made smaller when we think of how much God loves each of us.

Long-distance couples can take heart in these verses about love. The book Song of Solomon is filled with loving verses…if you haven’t read it, give it a go (The Message or the New Living Translation may be easiest)! When you’re feeling frustrated with your partner and frustrated with the distance, remember that we are called to “put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony” (Colossians 3:14). Love covers a multitude of sins (1 Peter 4:8). Meditate on God’s love and your love for your partner when challenges arise.  

8. 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 – “Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.”
9. Song of Solomon 3:4 – “I have found the one whom my soul loves.”
10. Colossians 3:14 – “And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.”
11. Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 – “Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow.”
12. Genesis 31:49 – “The Lord watch between you and me, when we are out of one another’s sight.”

Faithfulness and Strength in Separation

While your partner may not be with you right now, God is. Let God’s faithfulness sustain you. My dear brothers and sisters, commit these verses to memory as they are a powerful way to combat feelings of loneliness and separation. You’ll need them when times get tough!

God will NEVER leave you nor forsake you (Hebrews 13:5). He will hold you up when you can’t hold yourself up. I can’t stress enough the importance of really letting these verses sink in. Mediate on them daily. I promise they can help you endure.

13. Deuteronomy 31:8 – “It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.”
14. Matthew 28:20 – “And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
15. Psalm 34:18 – “The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.”
16. Hebrews 13:5 – “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”
17. Romans 15:5-6 – “May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Encouragement and Hope

Again, when the going gets tough, the tough go to Scripture. Seriously, reading my Bible and strong Christian friends are what got me through the rough years of living apart. It’s hard to have a romantic relationship at a distance! Some day you’ll look back and realize it was but a short time in a lifetime of love.  

These verses should help you feel a bit better during this difficult time. I know your heart’s desire is to be with your loved one, but if you can shift that to loving God and trusting Him, the time will go faster as you trust something bigger than yourself.

18. Philippians 1:3-5 – “I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now.”
19. Romans 12:12 – “Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.”
20. 2 Corinthians 5:7 – “For we walk by faith, not by sight.”
21. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 – “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”
22. Psalm 143:8 – “Let me hear in the morning of your steadfast love, for in you I trust. Make me know the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul.”

The Promise of Reunion

This is the best part! I promise that now, years after living apart, I realize how it shaped our marriage. Prayer groups, true friends, and God’s perfect love got us through. Knowing that there was a light at the end of our long distance tunnel was so important.

These verses remind us that a good end is coming. Even if you don’t know when your long distance season will be over, God has a good end in mind. Spoiler alert – God wins. In the end, the very end, He wins. Genuine love for God and His Son will help you as you trust in the promise of reunion with your loved one.

23. 1 Peter 5:10 – “And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.”
24. John 16:22 – “So also you have sorrow now, but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you.”
25. Revelation 21:4 – “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”

Next Steps

Write these verses on some index cards or import them to your notes app on your phone. Pin this article so you can find it easily. Then review them when the challenges of living apart are getting to you. Strong relationships are built by enduring challenges, so it’s worth it to keep working at it.

Want to pray for your loved one who lives apart from you? Here’s an article where I give advice for morning prayer for your long distance relationship.

In the meantime, let’s pray now…

Dear heavenly Father, Thank you for the gift of love in our time on earth. Thank you for your perfect love that protects us and sustains us. We repent that we forget how much you love us sometimes and forget to turn to you when times get rough. I turn my heart to you know with genuine love and good courage. Help me to trust you and not human beings. I entrust the future of my long distance relationship to you. Keep my loved one safe and guard his/her heart and mind in Christ Jesus. Help the time to go quickly and help us to find a way to feel connected despite the distance, dear Lord. Almighty God please put a hedge of protection around both of us as we serve you and await that day when we will be together again. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

In the meantime, find good friends who can help you understand the complexities of long-distance relationships. And once you are together again, you have a unique opportunity to minister to others in long distance relationships. You can give back to them by offering encouragement and wisdom to those who come after you.

With love,

🌸 Andrea

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