Pray for Families (Courage to Be Witnesses)

Greetings Prayer Warriors, 

It’s been a heavy couple of days as we remember the anniversaries of the Charlie Kirk assassination and the 9/11 terrorist attack. In the former, a young and gifted Christian was targeted, leaving behind a young family and many fans inspired by his boldness, tenacity, and faith. In the latter, a nation was rocked while so many families were torn apart and their lives shattered. Subsequently, many still live with traumatic memories. It is a stark reminder that we never know when our time here on earth is up, so we should live it to the fullest, living God’s commandments, and spreading His love. 

Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. Matthew 28:19-20

We are commissioned, like the disciples were, to do as much. A great example of trying to live this commission can be seen in Charlie Kirk. When asked, “How do you want to be remembered? Charlie said, “I want to be remembered for courage for my faith.”

Similarly, when we remember 9/11, Christ’s love and power was shown in all those first responders who ran towards the disaster, and all those untold individuals who ran out of the building, in service of helping others out. 

Let us pray for all of God’s family, our brothers and sisters in Christ.

Lord, no matter the trial, no matter the disaster, may we always feel your presence comforting and guiding us. Heal all of our trauma wounds, and may they somehow serve to empower and embolden us to love more, pray more, and serve others. May we bring the face of Christ to those around us, through our actions and words, so that they may experience your love. Transform us and conform us to your will!  Amen.

And finally, may we never forget the Lord’s promise,

And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.” Matthew 28:20

Peace, Joy, and Love,

Janet

Have courage and pass it on!

Pray for Families (Caring for the Caregiver)

 Greetings Prayer Warriors,

Most of us have someone struggling with health issues in our family, and usually it is the family members who become the primary caregivers. The worse the sickness, the bigger the toll it takes on the caregiver. This can feel like the intersection of love vs. exhaustion. While most people focus their compassion predominantly on the sick, this week let’s pray for those who assist and care for the sick. You know them as the ones who are always there for others; come whenever needed and rarely complain. They nurture and protect. Their presence is comfort in and of itself. 

But who supports the caregiver?

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

Lord, you see everyone and everything, and wait for us to turn to you. Before our petitions leave our lips, you answer them. Bring relief into this sickened world, to injured bodies, and to the exhausted souls that take care of them. Give us the strength and courage to get down on our knees and ask for the grace we and others need to humbly serve others. As we meditate on your wounds, may we realize they were received and accepted in service to us. May we show our gratitude by serving others with joy, radiating your love, and leaving your peace.

Draw your strength from the Lord and from his mighty power.  

Ephesians 6:10

We love because he first loved us. 1 John 4:19

You can do all things through Him who strengthens you!

Peace, Joy, and Love,

Janet

Love by serving, praying, and passing it on!

Pray for Marriages (Reset, Renew, and Try Again)

 Greetings Prayer Warriors,

The waves of disunity are ever present. The existing culture is formulated to drive apart and separate. We are constantly in front of some sort of screen, wherever we are, no matter what time of day. That is what we are in a relationship with. And if you say that you aren’t, perhaps you are driving yourself or family members here and there and back again, not engaging, but transporting to yet another activity, meeting, or event that keeps you and everyone else busy, but not necessarily engaged.

Ask yourself, during what part of the day are you engaging with your family or  your spouse? I don’t mean hanging out in the same space (room, car, other) but actually engaging? I am certainly not one to point fingers, but to challenge everyone to pause and reassess. Do you carve out/make time for and with your spouse even?

Ask the Lord help you to see how you can improve in this regard.

If there is any encouragement in Christ, any solace in love, any participation in the Spirit, any compassion and mercy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, with the same love, united in heart, thinking one thing. Do nothing out of selfishness or out of vainglory; rather, humbly regard others as more important than yourselves, each looking out not for his own interests, but [also] everyone for those of others.  Philippians 2: 1-4

Keep on praying for marriages! Why? Well, for one… 

The LORD’s acts of mercy are not exhausted, his compassion is not spent; They are renewed each morning—great is your faithfulness! 

Lamentations 3:22-23

Lord, I ask that you send special graces to all those who receive this email, especially those it is passed on to. We are weak, but renewed each day in your love, which provides us the grace to reset, try again, and do better.  Strengthen, fortify, and enrich all marriages, especially those in most need. Amen.

Peace, Joy, and Love,

Janet

Pray, and pass it on!

Pray for Families (The Power of Praying Parents)

Greetings Prayer Warriors,

There is incredible power in praying parents, but let’s never underestimate the power of a praying mother! We all know such mothers, whose prayers and devotions bring about incredible goodness and change. 

What a lioness was your mother, a lion among lions! She made her lair among young lions, to raise her cubs; One cub she raised up, a young lion he became. Ezekiel 19:2-3

As mothers (and fathers) we need to pray not only for our children and those of our friends and family, but we need to pray for the institution of motherhood itself. Unfortunately, we can no longer presume it is a protective role, as too many children are dying with the consent of the mother and sometimes the father. Let us pray with our whole hearts, that the Lord might shower grace upon this world to minimize the scourge of self-centeredness, self-will, and pride. 

Lord, we are weak; please strengthen us! Give us the courage to speak against the destruction of your children both in and out of the womb. Our silence makes us complicit, so help us to grow in boldness of conviction so that we may speak the truth.  As praying parents, hear out prayers for our children and your children. Answer our prayers so that more may believe!

Can a mother forget her infant, be without tenderness for the child of her womb? Even should she forget, I will never forget you. Isaiah 49:15

Peace, Joy, and Love,

Janet

Your voice needs to be heard! Pray and pass it on! 

Pray for Marriages (It Will Always Bear Fruit)

Greetings Prayer Warriors,

Whether you noticed or not, it has been some time since I’ve last posted and sent out an email reminder to pray.  Thank you “K” for noticing and calling me out on that.  I had what I will call a Forrest Gump moment.  Anyone who has seen that classic movie knows that Forrest runs and runs for years across the country and one day just says, “I’m pretty tired… I think I’ll go home now.”   That’s the closest I can describe how I felt. 

But that certainly isn’t the note I want to end on.  I am still discerning this blog and next steps and what the Lord has in store for me. I ask that you unceasingly  pray for marriage and family, and I hope that it has become a well ingrained habit in your lives . I am confident your prayers continue to bear much fruit.  You are called, so continue to pray!   

You are my witnesses,  my servant whom I have chosen to know and believe in me and understand that I am he. Isaiah 43:10

 “Go into the whole world and proclaim the gospel to every creature. 

Mark 16:15

Lord, I ask that you pour out abundant blessings on marriages, especially those in most need. Bring wisdom, clarity, and renewed love, through each transition and season. Keep Satan at bay, who seeks always to bring ire, quarrels, and a great divide. For you Lord are the Unifier, Peacemaker, and Destroyer of Evil.  Jesus we trust in you!

Peace, Joy, and Love,

Janet

The Lord continues to call. Pass it on! 

Pray for Families (The Blessing of Mothers)

Greetings Prayer Warriors,

While these posts have been inconsistent as of late, as we approach Mother’s Day, I couldn’t miss the opportunity to dedicate and direct some love and prayers towards moms. 

“The blessing of the LORD be upon you!" Psalm 129:8

Mothers are the heart of the family. They express their love, not just demonstrably, but in so many subtle and silent ways that are rarely noticed. They build cohesion within the family and nurture each member. They sacrifice a good night's sleep as their consciousness remains attentive to any nocturnal cries or whimpers they might hear. Even as children leave home, no phone call goes unanswered, and no problem is too big or little for them to listen to. Moms do  all the emotional heavy lifting and are only as happy as her saddest child. Moms encourage, build up, and ask questions, while also providing advice and even keeping silent when necessary. Mothers give tirelessly to their families, beam with pride as their children move into independent adulthood, and suffer silently when their children appear to not need them anymore. 

Lord, we pray that you would give mothers the grace of endurance, perseverance, and unshakable love, for it is the hardest job in the world but the most important to humanity. Grant them the wisdom to guide their children through the hurdles, setbacks, and roadblocks of life. Gift them with patience and bless them with a tongue that uplifts and comforts, yet is not afraid to mercifully admonish. 

At the time, all discipline seems a cause not for joy but for pain, yet later it brings the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who are trained by it.  Hebrews 12:11

Bless mothers abundantly, for they reflect your love so beautifully. For those who have left this life, grant them your mercy and love, bringing them into your holy embrace. Thank you, Lord, for these special graces! Amen.

To all the mothers, the unsung heroes, we honor not just for a day,  but for a lifetime. We commit to keeping you in our daily prayers, that you might know our gratitude!.

Peace, Joy, and Love,

Janet

Pray and give thanks for mothers, and pass it on!

Pray for Marriages (Who Else Will?)

Greetings Prayer Warriors,

May blessings of peace and joy be upon you! I pray your Lenten sacrifices produced an abundance of fruit!  

As I spent time in contemplation during Lent, something occurred to me. Of all of the many prayer intentions that come my way, there is one I rarely ever get; a request to pray for someone’s marriage. Yet, no one can doubt the need! Why might it be an unspoken request?

• There is a perceived shame in admitting a relationship is broken
• One is in denial 
• One wants out so they don't care that the union is deteriorating
• One lacks the faith to believe that God can heal it

“I do believe, help my unbelief!” Mark 9:24

Each scenario is in need of prayer, for when marriages dissolve, often families do too.

I know, my God, that you put hearts to the test. 1 Chronicles 29:17

With prayer petitions, let us answer the requests of “Lord help us!” hidden deep within aching hearts. Let us also lift up to God the silent pleas of children suffering the fallout.

Lord, you call many to the married life, to build families which become the foundation of good societies. Yet, we all have so much difficulty letting go of the “I” and becoming the “we”. We love, but resist loving until it hurts. One hopes for a 50-50 partnership, but struggles when the balance shifts. One trusts in You, but wearies of the wait. Lord, hear the desperate pleas, the quiet moaning, the waning hope, the children whimpering. With expectant hearts, we call for a torrential outpouring of your grace, a shoring up of foundations, and an abundance of not just good marriages, but thriving ones. Bring miraculous healings to the most broken marriages. Divine Healer, we trust in your extravagant love and mercy! Amen.

The Spirit too comes to the aid of our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but the Spirit itself intercedes with inexpressible groanings. Romans 8:26

Peace, Joy, and Love,

Janet

Save a marriage! Pray and pass it on!