When starting a new relationship, what’s the first thing you look for? Do you look for someone with a great smile? How about someone with a great family? Maybe, you want someone with a great personality. While these are all great characteristics to look for, sometimes we ignore them all.

We’ve all made the mistake of going after someone who shows no interest in being with us. Why is that? Why do we continuously try to make relationships work, when we receive nothing in return from the other person? It seems we always want what we can’t have. It’s crazy that we want the ones who treat us horribly. It’s just not right.

Last week, I saw something on a social media account that made me question every crush or relationship I’ve ever had. “But, does he pray for you?” What a powerful question. After reading this, I sat down and questioned myself. Would any of my former crushes or boyfriends have prayed for me? Would they have sat down and asked God to bless me and keep me safe? This one, simple question stumped me.

To be honest, having someone pray for me hasn’t always been the number one thing I’ve looked for in previous relationships. Yes, I’ve always looked for someone I can worship God with, but I’ve never really asked myself if I could see my significant other praying for me. Shouldn't having the person you love pray for you be the most important thing to look for?

In my life, I've put up with being someone's second choice. I've stayed through lies, mean words, and ignorance. I've even forgiven the same person time and time again because I simply cared about him so much and hoped things would eventually get better. I never let any of these horrible things stop me from going after the boy I thought I needed. I never stopped to understand that if someone is treating me horribly, they indeed may not be praying for me.

Maybe, that's why none of my relationships in the past had happy endings. I can honestly say I never really asked any of my exes if they prayed for me. I prayed countless times for God to show me if a relationship was worth fighting for or to make the boy I loved grow a stronger connection with him. But in the end, if your other half isn't praying for you, too, the relationship cannot grow and prosper.

But, it's not just girls that need to make sure their boyfriends pray for them. Boys, you all need prayers just the same as us girls do. When looking for a relationship, ask yourself if the girl you want to be with would pray for you. We sometimes forget that it takes three people to make a relationship work—you, your significant other, and God.

So the next time you are looking to start a new relationship, make sure to ask yourself if you can see that person praying for you. Ask yourself if you could see them kneeling beside their bed each night, praying for God to give you comfort, hope, and guidance. And, make sure that you pray for your other half, too. While the love you have in a relationship is strong, God's love for both of you is stronger.