Pray for Marriages (Hope for the Weary)

Greetings Prayer Warriors,

To those who suffer in silence, take heart and do not lose hope!

Wait for the LORD, take courage; be stouthearted, wait for the LORD! Psalm 27:14

Waiting is hard, especially when your cross is heavy. The fight is within, as dropping the cross may bring relief, but does it get you to where you desire?  Perseverance in prayer will increase endurance and fuel your hope!

For in hope we were saved. Now hope that sees for itself is not hope. For who hopes for what one sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait with endurance. Romans 8:24-25

Lord, we pray for all marriages, but especially those losing hope and flirting with despair. Holy Comforter, refresh the souls of the weary, and like an invigorating wind, lift their spirits and renew their hope.  Heal all brokenness in marriages, especially the wounds that are hidden and festering. Be the balm that brings healing and restoration, so that all marriages may be a reflection of your divine plan of love. Jesus, we trust in You!

Peace, Joy, and Love,

Janet

Pray and pass it on! 

Pray for Families (Inspiration from the Saints)

Greetings Prayer Warriors, 

How uplifting it is to read about the lives of the saints and their life journeys. Most seem to progress from heartache to wholeness.  I am most fascinated and drawn to those who began as the greatest sinners.  I can relate to their brokenness and am encouraged as they slowly die to their old self and put on Christ. 

Put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the desires of the flesh. Romans 13:14

When we fret about friends, family, coworkers, or relatives who have drifted far from God, saintly conversion stories provide us with hope. They showcase the depth of God’s love for his children and the effects of His grace in bringing about conversion, renewal, and restoration. They highlight the Lord’s desire not to lose even one of us. 

I have not come to call the righteous to repentance but sinners. Luke 5:32

Lord, we come before you, not just on behalf of our families, but on behalf of ourselves, as we acknowledge our own sinfulness. Guide us to the path of righteousness, that we may become living witnesses for others, especially those who know not what or whom they seek. We know, Lord, that only you can satiate their desire. Good Shepherd, hurry to find your lost sheep so that they may find rest in You.

Have mercy on me, God, in accord with your merciful love; in your abundant compassion blot out my transgressions. Thoroughly wash away my guilt; and from my sin cleanse me. For I know my transgressions; my sin is always before me. Against you, you alone have I sinned. Turn away your face from my sins; blot out all my iniquities. A clean heart create for me, God; renew within me a steadfast spirit. Psalm 51 3:6, 11-12 

Save us, Lord!

Peace, Joy, and Love,

Janet

May the saints join us in prayer as we pray for conversion, renewal, and restoration! Pass it on! 

Pray for Marriages (The Grace of Perseverance)

Greetings Prayer Warriors,

In a marriage, couples can become hyper-focused on their differences versus all that they hold in common. It’s an easy snare set by Satan, as he reminds us of all that we should be annoyed about. But prayer is your weapon! Rejoice and give thanks to God (and affirmation to your spouse) for your marital unity and it will serve to minimize the polarities.

Let love be sincere; hate what is evil, hold on to what is good; love one another with mutual affection; anticipate one another in showing honor. Romans 12:9-10

Again, [amen,] I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything for which they are to pray, it shall be granted to them by my heavenly Father. For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” Matthew 18:19-20

Pray together and ask for the graces your marriage needs. Christ heals, fortifies, and blesses, and delights in your prayers! 

Perhaps you’re thinking, “But I don’t have a praying spouse, or one who will pray with me.” The Lord will still hear your prayers of petition on behalf of your marriage, but don’t forget the praise and thanksgiving too!

And we have this confidence in him, that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us in regard to whatever we ask, we know that what we have asked him for is ours. 1 John 5:14-15

And for those with still waning hope…

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

May you rest in knowing that others are praying for you and imploring God for your enduring perseverance!  🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

Peace, Joy, and Love,

Janet

Jesus, we trust in you enough to pass this on to another!

Pray for Families (Suffering in Silence)

Greetings Prayer Warriors,

Most will agree, despite the many blessings in life, it is not without its challenges. While one can have numerous friends and family members, when tragedy strikes in any of its forms, one can still feel alone.

I turned every way, but there was no one to help; I looked for support but there was none. Sirach 51:7

For who can understand one’s hidden pain, that which is so hard to articulate? Who can comprehend the complexity of its origin, the path of its existence, and prescribe the antidote to ease the pain?

Then I remembered the mercies of the LORD, his acts of kindness through ages past; For he saves those who take refuge in him, and rescues them from every evil. I called out: LORD, you are my Father, my champion, my savior! Do not abandon me in time of trouble, in the midst of storms and dangers. Sirach 51:8, 10

Has the Lord unexpectedly put someone on your heart?  Perhaps he is nudging you to reach out for a reason?  Maybe the Lord is sending you to be His representative! Sometimes the  gift of our presence is all that is needed— a word, a note, a text, a call. While one can’t always know who is suffering in silence, each can be more attentive to the Lord’s promptings.  

Conversely, maybe you are the one in need of support. Ask someone for help/assistance if you can. But if that feels overwhelming, turn to the Lord of mercy and love, and know he will never abandon you.

Lord, we lift up our family and friends, and even those we don’t know, and ask you to bless them.  Allow us to be your hands and feet in service. Give us the ears to hear your call, the heart to spread your love, and the gentleness of your loving compassion. See the internal and external suffering of your children, and beckon them to rest in your sacred wounds, and bathe them in your merciful love.

Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:8

Peace, Joy, and Love,

Janet

Pray, listen, and pass it on!

PRAY!

Greetings Prayer Warriors,

As life keeps pulling me in different directions, I hope you have developed a habit of prayer that needs little to no reminders.  

That being said, be attentive to those who ask for prayers, for it takes such humility to ask. Consider praying as well for those who may need prayer, but may not have the courage nor prayerful network whom they could ask. Then trust in the power of each prayer and God’s desire to answer in the way He finds most efficacious for that soul!

The lost I will search out, the strays I will bring back, the injured I will bind up, and the sick I will heal. Ezekiel 34:16

The Lord is faithful, so be faithful to prayer!

Peace, Joy, and Love, 

Janet

Pray twice and pass it on!

Pray for Families (Placing in His Care)

Greetings Prayer Warriors,

In talking with friends, relatives, and acquaintances, there is no shortage of prayer intentions for one’s family.  Most Christians worry more about their families than themselves. Spouses, parents, children (young and adult), nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, friends and neighbors - all weigh on our hearts as we want what’s best for them - to know and trust the Lord throughout whatever trial (short or extended) that they are going through. We desire that they experience His love and peace. 

While all of us here believe in the power of prayer, when we combine it with fasting, it becomes turbo-charged.  While I’m not so sure that is the terminology the Lord would use, scripture does show that in times of repentance or deep need, the petitioner both prayed and fasted.

I turned to the Lord God, to seek help, in prayer and petition, with fasting, sackcloth, and ashes. Daniel 9:3

So we fasted, seeking this from our God, and it was granted. Ezra 8:23

With prayer and fasting, [they] commended them to the Lord in whom they had put their faith. Acts 14:23

When you feel your prayers are not bearing fruit (that you can see), consider adding fasting. Fasting comes in many forms.  It is a custom in the church to fast on Wednesdays and Fridays.  Some people will choose a day and fast between certain hours.  Others may choose to abstain from meat.  Still others, from their favorite food. However, not all fasting has to be from food.  What is your guilty pleasure?  Perhaps you can fast from“screen time, video games, alcohol, gambling, pornography, or any other vice on behalf of your prayer intention. Then at least two people benefit!

Lord, our hearts are full of worry and sorrow regarding our loved ones. Help us to trust you more and place those we cherish into your loving arms.  We unite our prayers and sacrifices, however small, to your ultimate sacrifice.  Look kindly upon our petitions, and in your mercy, hear and answer us.  Amen.

Peace, Joy, and Love,

Janet

Pray and fast for one another. Pass it on! 

Pray for Marriages (Faith and Trust)

Greetings Prayer Warriors,

Those who are close to Christ know that joy can be found even amidst sorrows. Crosses can strengthen us, yet everyday we need to renew our commitment to love our crosses! But for many who struggle in marriage, the journey can be crushing, especially if they are unyoked spiritually. They can’t unite through Christ. The Lord shows us however, that even He fell 3 times from the weight of believers and unbelievers alike, but through faith, He understood that the Father would give Him (and us) the strength to continue the journey. And on that journey, He will put people in your path to assist you.

Spend a moment thinking about those who have unexpectedly entered into your journey for a moment or more.  Praise God for his tender love!  He has a plan for you that is beyond comprehension.  It just takes faith and trust.  

If any brother has a wife who is an unbeliever, and she is willing to go on living with him, he should not divorce her; and if any woman has a husband who is an unbeliever, and he is willing to go on living with her, she should not divorce her husband. For the unbelieving husband is made holy through his wife, and the unbelieving wife is made holy through the brother. Otherwise your children would be unclean, whereas in fact they are holy. 

1 Corinthians 7:12-14

Consider that with your assent, you may be an instrument of holiness!

If the unbeliever separates, however, let him separate. The brother or sister is not bound in such cases; God has called you to peace. For how do you know, wife, whether you will save your husband; or how do you know, husband, whether you will save your wife? 1 Corinthians 7:15-16

Yet, even the unbeliever has free will. 

Lord, we pray that we may know your will, and surrender to it. Guide each one of us in our marriages, and make the good ones even better! Give light to the unbeliever. Grant us the wisdom and restraint we need in our words, behaviors, and actions. You are our strength, and in You we cannot fail.  Jesus, we trust in You!

Peace, Joy, and Love,

Janet

Pray for fortitude in marriages. Pass it on!