Pray for Marriages (The Way to Perfection)

Greetings Prayer Warriors,

Occasionally over the years in my profession, when a team desired to give feedback to a boss, they would first come together as a team and using the format of “Stop-Start-Continue” as a framework, would make list of what they wanted the boss to stop doing, what they wanted the boss to start doing, and what they’d like the boss to continue doing as a leader. It was an effective and gentle way to provide group-to-boss feedback and help the leader in their personal development.  

I then amused myself by pondering how that might work 1-1 with a spouse. "Honey, could you stop leaving dishes in the sink, start putting them in the dishwasher, and continue to empty that dishwasher after its run?" Or vice versa, "Honey, could you stop leaving your hair in the drain, start cleaning it out daily, but please do continue to clean the bathrooms!" These conversations would not go well if we are only trying to perfect our spouse!

Honestly, I was most struck by the fact that these are conversations that we should be having with ourselves first of all, as “start-stop-continue” is truly the way to our own perfection. 

For example, consider a sample of what we are taught in Scripture. 

Stop:

Put to death, then, the parts of you that are earthly: immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and the greed that is idolatry.  But now you must put them all away: anger, fury, malice, slander, and obscene language out of your mouths. Stop lying to one another, since you have taken off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed, for knowledge, in the image of its creator.  Colossians 3:5, 8-10

Start:

Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, bearing with one another and forgiving one another, if one has a grievance against another; as the Lord has forgiven you, so must you also do. And over all these put on love, that is, the bond of perfection. Colossians 3:12-14

Continue 😁 : 

Pray without ceasing. 1 Thessalonians 5:17

As you pray, listen to the Holy Spirit as he guides you to what the Lord is asking you personally to stop, start, continue. Then please pray that the eyes and ears of our hearts are opened wide, and that we all become greater blessings in our marriages!

Peace, Joy, and Love,

Janet

For a stronger marriage, work on yourself! Pass it on!

Pray for Families (Resolving to Persevere)

Greetings Prayer Warriors,

Happy New Year! We’ve made it to 2025, and there is no stopping us now! The world is in need of prayer more than ever!

When I began these emails which flowered into a blog in late 2019, I was still a relative neophyte in prayer. Sure I prayed, but I must admit my prayer life has blossomed since then, as has my love of scripture. I hope that you too have seen the effect of grace as you’ve continued to pray for marriage and family. My own prayers surround your personal intentions, and my hope is that you have experienced some positive answers.

Persevere in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. Colossians 89:2

In 2025, one of my spiritual  goals is to be more aware of His daily presence, unwavering encouragement, and the little gifts He gives that I notice and acknowledge all too seldom. With gratitude may I become more thankful, focusing on the good, as well as the greater purposes of the crosses He gifts me. I also desire to become more loving towards others. Sometimes it’s easy, but whenever I think that, the Lord brings me someone more challenging to love! Since I hate to work on resolutions alone, I challenge you to come up with your own spiritual goals or copy mine!!

Do not grow slack in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, endure in affliction, persevere in prayer. Romans 12:11-12

Finally, persevering in prayer goes without saying, yet it takes time and focus, because the Evil One delights in interrupting our prayer time! He has learned how much our prayers form a mighty shield over our loved ones and he hates it! You are making an impact!   So…

Draw your strength from the Lord and from his mighty power. Put on the armor of God so that you may be able to stand firm against the tactics of the devil. In all circumstances, hold faith as a shield, to quench all [the] flaming arrows of the evil one. Ephesians 6: 11, 12, 16

May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and to the endurance of Christ. 2 Thessalonians 3:5

Peace, Joy, and Love,

Janet

Grow the army of warriors and pass it on!

Pray for Marriages (Simple Resolutions)

Greetings Prayer Warriors,

To have the biggest impact on yourself, your marriage, your family, and the world, there is only one real resolution you need to make for 2025.

Pray more!  🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

Don’t forget to play too, it will help you pray more!

And let the peace of Christ control your hearts, the peace into which you were also called in one body. And be thankful. Colossians 3:15

Peace, Joy, and Love,

Janet

Pray, play, and be thankful. Pass it on!

Happy New Year!

Pray for Families (New Intentions)

 Greetings Prayer Warriors,

As many are/were blessed to spend time with their family during the holidays, as a result, hopefully some heartfelt conversations evolved. Continue to enjoy your family time, and add some special prayer intentions based on new insights uncovered. 

Continue to humble yourself in prayer, surrender to His Holy Will, and love others. And of course, pray with renewed intent. Then give Him all the glory. 

“Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” Luke 2:14

Peace, Joy, and Love,

Janet

Love. Pass it on!

Pray for Marriages (All We Need is Love)

 Greetings Prayer Warriors,

This last week of Advent, the focus is love. LOVE is almost here, as we await the celebration of the coming of our Savior. He asks that we ready our hearts to receive Him. But when pulled in many directions, our heart and soul can be caught unprepared.

It’s not too late to purge all the worthless things that take space in your heart. The “Holiday Season” can easily steal your patience, joy, and peace, especially if you are the one doing most of the physical preparation. The whirlwind of the commercialization of Christmas can actually work to push out Christ.  

Hit the pause button. 

 

The Lord is with you.” Luke 1:28

Let go of all the negative, so that joy might enter in. Release any resentment, and let Christ’s love fill you. Breathe in His presence.  Let his peace penetrate your soul. Once filled with peace, joy, and love, if any one pokes at you or triggers you, only peace, joy and love will flow out. 

“My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God my savior.  Luke 1:46-47

Proclaim His greatness by your actions, disposition, and words. Begin in your marriage, expand to your family, and include the needs of the world. Be a living witness of the power of prayer, and the miracle of His coming.

Merry Christmas!!!!

Peace, Joy, and Love,
Janet

Be a witness and pass it on!

Pray for Families (Grace and Peace)

Greetings Prayer Warriors,

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Ephesians 1:2

This Christmas Season, may your prayer of action be spending quality time with your family AND bringing forth your best self. Say some prayers to de-stress yourself, or do whatever you need to in order that all your family sees in you is a center of joy and peace. Yes, it can be a tall order, but let’s pray for each other!

“Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” Luke 2:14

Blessings of peace, joy, and love on this pre-Christmas weekend! 

Peace, Joy, and Love,

Janet

Send a message of peace to someone. Pass it on!

Pray for Marriage (Gifts of Joy)

Greetings Prayer Warriors,

As we enter the  third week of Advent, we are reminded on “Gaudete” Sunday, to “rejoice”, for the Savior is near.  The pink Advent Candle of this week represents joy.  

"And the angel said to them, “Be not afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy which will come to all the people; for to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord."  Luke 2:10-11

When we allow Christ in, we can’t help but be joyful.  Think of the most joyful person you know.  They may not have the perfect life, but I can guarantee you they know the Lord!  Every day we make a decision to be vessels of joy or not.  What are you choosing? 

Are you missing the moments of joy Christ brings each day to uplift you?  The Lord adores you and wants to be adored, so He will send little signs of His love to let you know He is there, if only we pause long enough to recognize the whispers, gestures, and smiles that arrive through unexpected means.  For example, today when I opened a mail order package, slipped inside was a sticker with my “special word” on it.  I know it was the Lord’s message to me, and it brought me great joy.  However,  I am not to just keep that joy for myself, but carry it into the world, beginning in my marriage.

Be joyful, for the Light is coming into the world, and chasing away the darkness.  Awaken to the special  moments, and pray to be a vessel of joy in your marriage.

Peace, Joy, and Love,

Janet

Send sparks of joy!  Pass it on! 

P.S.  Since I missed last Friday’s prayer reminder, pray for joy to abound in your family too!