Monday, April 27, 2015

Pray for Marriages (Parched in the Desert)

Greetings Prayer Warriors,

Have you ever been to the desert?  I’m not talking a desert resort, but the true desert.  It is desolate, lonely, dry, hot, filled with creepy things, and miserable, and one can’t wait to get out of it!  

Throughout our lives, we are faced with personal deserts that elicit the same response.  One such desert could be a failing marriage. Frustration and loss of hope can quickly plague a couple, especially when they see desert in every direction.

Insult has broken my heart, and I despair; I looked for compassion, but there was none,  for comforters, but found none.  Psalm 69:20

When Christ was in the desert, He prayed and fasted. When Satan tempted him to serve his ego by seeking His own glory, He instead persevered by trusting fully in the love and promises of His Father. 

When he suffered His Passion and was athirst for love and compassion, he turned to the one who loved Him and loves Him unceasingly, God the Father.

Perhaps as sons and daughters of the same Heavenly Father, we can learn from Jesus.  He shows us that our sustenance of every kind comes from the Lord.  In Him we can rest securely, knowing He will lead us out of the desert when we have lost our way.

Then the LORD will guide you always and satisfy your thirst in parched places, will give strength to your bones and you shall be like a watered garden, like a flowing spring whose waters never fail. Isaiah 58:11

For the Lamb who is in the center of the throne will shepherd them and lead them to springs of life-giving water, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.  Revelation 7:17

Let us pray for those marriages most parched in the desert. 

Good and gracious God, have mercy on those struggling in the desert. Be their constant oasis as you quench their thirst, heal their wounds, and sustain them on their journey.  Gift them with an unshakable faith so that they will trust your guidance and impeccable timing as you lead them out of the desert and into restful pastures. Jesus we trust in You!

Peace, Joy, and Love,
Janet

Be a refreshing spring to someone lost in the desert.  Hold them in prayer and pass it on!  

Friday, April 24, 2015

Pray for Families (Increasing Love)

Greetings Prayer Warriors,

We were made to love people and use things.  When we live for ourselves and not for Christ by following His commandments and loving one another, we often get this reversed.   We use people and love things.  This is not benign but rather hurts the body of Christ.

“ ……. why are you persecuting me?”  “Who are you sir?”  “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.“

Pray for the light to see clearly where you veer off the path.   Pray for families, that by His illuminating light, a love of things will diminish, and a love of one another will increase.

We know that all things work for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.  Your every act should be done with love. Romans 8:28; 1 Corinthians 16:13-14

Peace, Joy, and Love,
Janet

Love is the best thing to pass along.  Use this blog to show your love. J

Monday, April 20, 2015

Pray for Marriages (Rein, Rain, Reign!)

Greetings Prayer Warriors,

Have you ever considered that marriage may be a precursor to our relationship with Christ; a training ground of sorts? Like our walk with Christ, the marital relationship is often two steps forward, one step back. We wrestle with our self-love, lack of trust, pride, resistance to change, and need to control. 

Similar to our relationship with Christ, for a marriage to flourish, grace is necessary and He gives it to us in abundance!  We do nothing to earn it, but we do need to cooperate with it if we are to benefit from it!  It is difficult for us to consider abandoning ourselves completely to His will and letting go of the reins, however when spouses let Him reign in their hearts, grace becomes more abundant and marital (joy, peace, intimacy, whatever is lacking) becomes a possibility where it may previously have been thought inconceivable. 

Do not love the world or the things of the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, sensual lust, enticement for the eyes, and a pretentious life, is not from the Father but is from the world. Yet the world and its enticement are passing away. But whoever does the will of God remains forever. 1 John 2: 15-17

So let us pray for grace upon grace upon grace to rain down upon married couples. May they let go of the reins, let it rain, and let Him Reign! 

Peace, Joy, and Love,
Janet

Share a raincloud of grace.  Invite someone to join us in prayer by passing it on!  


Friday, April 17, 2015

Pray for Families (Grandparents)

Greetings Prayer Warriors,

What would life be like without grandparents?  I never knew mine personally, but I see the wonderful role that my own parents and in-laws played within my family. It is beautiful to watch grandparents interact with their grandchildren and the connectedness they have!  Grandparents lead with wisdom and love.  They teach by example and are often the moral compasses within families.  They fill in the parenting gaps and are often the caregivers of the young.  Let us pray for the blessing that they are! 

Sometimes I wonder though what grandparenting will look like in the future.  Based on the self-absorbed, unchurched culture of today, will the grandparents of tomorrow have moral compasses? Will they value their time with the young or find that it doesn’t fit into their lifestyles?  Will there be many children and will they still be cherished?  Who will mirror positive behavior for them? 

The choices we make today will have an impact on what the future holds for all. What changes and choices can you make today that will bear good fruit for the next generation?

It is the LORD’s blessing that brings wealth, and no effort can substitute for it.  Proverbs 10:22

Let us pray in thanksgiving for the grandparents of today and with hopeful expectation for the grandparents of the future.

Peace, Joy, and Love, 
Janet

Every action impacts the future.  Make it positive and pass it on!