Pray for Marriages (Unbreakable)

 Greetings Prayer Warriors,

There are so many things that can add stress to a marriage, moving, having children, new or lost jobs, and financial disagreements, just to name a few.  Yet, I cannot even fathom the stress of those who have lost everything, especially the security of housing. While I am thinking about the California fires, this also pertains to those in war-torn areas around the world. 

Again I saw all the oppressions that take place under the sun: the tears of the victims with none to comfort them! Ecclesiastes 4:1

At a time when most couples need to join together in unity, often the opposite happens and they become divided. I feel called to pray for those couples, those marriages, facing absolute disbelief on the tragedies that just occurred, while struggling to find a path forward. Let us pray that rather than turn from God, they instead call out to God to give them strength, hope, and a fortified love. 

Two are better than one: They get a good wage for their toil. If the one falls, the other will help the fallen one. But woe to the solitary person! If that one should fall, there is no other to help. Where one alone may be overcome, two together can resist. A three-ply cord is not easily broken. 

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10, 12

Heavenly Father, comfort those couples suffering from devastation, allowing them to feel your heavenly embrace, reviving them in hope. Sweetest Jesus, give them the grace that in faith, they may rest in you, finding joy, even in the darkest hours. Holy Spirit, renew the hearts of your faithful, and kindle in them the holy fire of your love! Holy Trinity, open their hearts, obtaining permission to entwine yourself into their holy union, creating the unbreakable cord!  Amen.

Peace, Joy, and Love,

Janet

Faith, Hope, and Love. Pass it on! 

Pray for Families (Life in His Son)

Greetings Prayer Warriors,

Sometimes when we reread something for the umpteenth time, it hits us differently.

If we accept human testimony, the testimony of God is surely greater. Now the testimony of God is this, that he has testified on behalf of his Son. Whoever believes in the Son of God has this testimony within himself. Whoever does not believe God has made him a liar by not believing the testimony God has given about his Son. And this is the testimony: God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever possesses the Son has life; whoever does not possess the Son of God does not have life.

1 John 4:9-12

“God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.” Contemplate that.

Jesus said to them, “Amen, amen, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you do not have life within you. Whoever eats  my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him on the last day. John 6:53-54

Then many of his disciples who were listening said, “This saying is hard; who can accept it?” John 6:60

As a result of this, many [of] his disciples returned to their former way of life and no longer accompanied him. John 6:66  

(Note the symbolism of 666 as they separate themselves from eternal life.)

As we pray for family, inevitably we pray for their return to God, the Church, and the Sacraments. But until that time, our prayer can also be to offer up our receiving of the Eucharist for them, so that one day they may return to the Lord and have eternal  life.

Peace, Joy, and Love,

Janet

Embrace the power of the sacraments. Receive, and pass it on! 

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!