Pray for Families (I Love You)

Dearest Prayer Warriors,

While at church this past week, during the homily I learned of a fabulous acronym. I thought it would be the perfect thing to share with you as this year comes to a close. While there has been a lot of focus on the role of the parent in the family, in contrast I like that this focuses on the role of the child (either adult or minor).

F ather
A nd
M other
I
L ove
Y ou.

A strong family depends on mutual respect, but it is important that children honor their father and mother. This is shown through love and obedience, in the same way that Christ loved and obeyed his earthly parents. Even He didn’t say, “You don’t know what you’re talking about! I know better than you!”

After three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions, and all who heard him were astounded at his understanding and his answers. When his parents saw him, they were astonished, and his mother said to him, "Son, why have you done this to us? Your father and I have been looking for you with great anxiety." And he said to them, "Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father's house?" But they did not understand what he said to them. He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them; and his mother kept all these things in her heart. Luke 2:46-51

Share this with a child of any age. Ask that they start the New Year by showing and/or expressing their love for their parent(s). Then say a prayer together for the family.

May the New Year fill your hearts with….Peace, Joy, and Love.
May God bless you abundantly,
Janet

Pray for Marriages (Promise to God)

Dear Prayer Warriors,

We are approaching the end of the year, a time when many decide to make New Year’s Resolutions. So instead of promising yourself that you are going to make a change in a behavior or lifestyle, make a promise to God. Be sure to include something for marriages, either yours or someone else’s. It could be an increase in prayer, a change in attitude/behavior, daily affirmations to your spouse, a weekly/daily rosary, fasting, counseling, etc.
Perhaps a promise to God will carry more weight than a promise to your self.

When you make a vow to God, delay not its fulfillment. For God has no pleasure in fools; fulfill what you have vowed. Eccl 5:4

Thank you for your commitment to pray for marriages. One doesn’t have to look far to see that there is a tremendous need for prayer here. Take a baby step and make a commitment our Lord.

Peace, Joy, and Love,
Janet

Pray for Families (Give Praise)

Glory to God in the Highest!

Luke 2:14

Greetings prayer angels,

Join me in exclaiming His praises on the one year anniversary of "pray for families". Christmas day last year was a Friday, the day which you, my angels,
joined me in a commitment to pray for families. Thank you.

I ask the Holy Family to intercede on our behalf, in asking the Father for a special blessing for families: our children, our spouses, our parents, and our siblings.

May peace abide in your homes, may joy fill your hearts, and may the love you receive be abundant. Merry Christmas!

Peace, Joy, & Love,
Janet

Pray for Marriages (Recognize His will)

Greetings prayer warriors,

I never used to dwell very deeply on the Blessed Virgin Mary's fiat. I always looked at her "yes" as her agreement to carry Jesus, not her okay to suffer alongside Him!

As we deal with difficulties whether in life or marriage we often can't see beyond the immediate. Moments of our life are like a mini puzzle piece. Only God can see the whole puzzle picture. This is why we have to have faith in God's will for us, seek to know his will, and then succumb to His will. How often are
we instead wrestling with Him to do OUR will?

So for the next week, focus on Mary's fiat:

"Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word." Luke 1:38

Then pray for all marriages, that each spouse may seek to learn and follow the will of God in their marriage.

Peace, Love, and Joy,
Janet

Pray for Families (Expectant Faith)

Greetings Dear Prayer Angels,

Excitement and anticipation should be rising, as we will soon be entering the 4th week of Advent. Christmas is almost here! Yet the stress of getting everything ready can easily be overwhelming. Often we expect that our family will instinctively know what we need or need help with. For some, it is hard to ask for assistance. For others, they just bark out orders. Either way, stress can lead to both anger and resentment among family members and those feelings don’t do much to make Christmas merry or create family unity!

The only One who knows what we want and need without us asking is our Lord. But even He expects that we ask for what we need.

Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. Matthew 7:8-9

So with expectant faith, ask your family for what you need. Ask for help, ask for someone’s company, or ask how you can help.

And with expectant faith, ask the Lord to bless your family. Ask that He heal any old hurts, disunity, or estrangements. Ask that He take away any grudges or deep-seated anger. Name each family member in prayer, and ask that the Lord give them exactly what He knows they need. And when you gather with family for your Christmas celebration, pray together. Then ask them to continue to pray for the family every Friday :).

Peace, Joy, and Love,
Janet

Pray for Marriages (Anticipation and Hope)

Greetings Prayer Angels,

Advent, is a time of anticipation and hope.

In marriage, there tends to be less anticipation and more expectations! We can easily fall into the “if only” trap. If only he/she would________, then I’d be happier. If only he/she would __________, I would love them more. If only he/she would quit____________, our life would be perfect. IF ONLY!

In the spirit of Advent, perhaps we should look inward and see what needs changing in us. How might we be more loving? What bad habits should we quit? How might we do a better job of being Christ-like toward our spouse? Let us then anticipate the change in us, in hopes of seeing a marriage renewed.

They that hope in the LORD will renew their strength, they will soar as with eagles' wings; They will run and not grow weary, walk and not grow faint. Isaiah 40:31

Dear Lord, we pray for strengthening and renewal in all marriages, that through the miracle of your birth, we may be humble like a child, have faith, hope, and love reborn, and always trust in your divine providence. We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior, Amen.

Continue to pray unceasingly for marriages.

Peace, Joy, and Love,
Janet

Pray for Families (Speak Truth)

Greetings Prayer Warriors!

In your Advent preparations, most of you probably have your tree up or are planning to by this weekend. What a perfect time to unite the family or share with family/friends the origin of the Christmas tree. There are many stories, but the one I like dates back to the eighth century and St Boniface. As the story goes, he gave a balsam fir tree to the Druids in place of the symbol of their idol, the oak tree. “The fir tree is the wood of peace, the sign of an endless life with its evergreen branches. It points to heaven. It will never shelter deeds of blood, but rather be filled with loving gifts and rites of kindness.”

Perhaps this will provide you with a great starting point to begin a family discussion about the true reason for the season. If you don’t discuss or reinforce the true meaning of Christmas, who will? Who else will compete with the commercialism of Christmas that bombards us everywhere?

Be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and put on the new self, created in God's way in righteousness and holiness of truth. Therefore, putting away falsehood, speak the truth, each one to his neighbor, for we are members one of another. Eph 4:23-25

Pray for families, especially those consumed by commercialism, that their hearts are converted and open to His light. No present can begin to compete with the gift of the birth of Christ. No gift can fill us with lasting joy, like that of the newborn King. Prepare your hearts to receive Him and continue to pray for families.

Peace, Joy, and Love,
Janet

Pray for Marriages (Peace and Goodwill)

Good Morning Prayer Angels!

Yesterday began the 2nd week of Advent and Christmas Card sentiments started entering into my brain, “Peace on Earth, Good will Toward Men”, then songs, “Let there be Peace on Earth and let it begin with me.” This got me to thinking; everything does begin with each one of us. Is “Peace on Earth” possible or should it remain a well-parodied Miss America platform? What about “Goodwill Towards Men”? If it begins with me, that would mean ground zero is my house, my marriage. Peace and goodwill in a marriage flow downstream to the children. So if each family spread such love, harmony, and generosity to others, wouldn’t it be possible to have Peace on Earth?

May the God of peace himself make you perfectly holy and may you entirely, spirit, soul, and body, be preserved blameless for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful, and he will also accomplish it. 1Thes:5-23-24

With prayer, anything is possible, so today we pray for the ground zero of peace and goodwill, all marriages. May the Lord bless and strengthen each marriage, and be generous with his mercy and love.

Peace, Joy, and Love,
Janet

Pray for Families (A gift)

Good Evening prayer warriors!

I know I am getting this reminder out a bit late, but I kind of lost track of what day of the week it was! I left my house early this morning to meet a friend for breakfast. She is a single mother who just got laid off of work. Sunday she is moving back home to live with her mother and father. Not an easy task at age 35.

One could look at the negative, or choose to see what a gift family can be. By divine design, we need each other. We were never meant to be alone in life. Family provides us a built-in safety net and extended support system. They can be our shelter, our cheerleaders, our mentors, our admonishers, and our friends.

Bear one another's burdens, and so you will fulfill the law of Christ. Gal 6:2

Today let's say a prayer of thanks for the gift of family. Here is a prayer to get you started.

Blessed are You, loving Father,
For all your gifts to us.
Blessed are You for giving us family and friends
To be with us in times of joy and sorrow,
To help us in days of need,
And to rejoice with us in moments of celebration..

Father,
We praise You for Your Son Jesus,
Who knew the happiness of family and friends,
And in the love of Your Holy Spirit.
Blessed are you for ever and ever.
Amen.

Peace, Joy, and Love,
Janet

Pray for Marriages (Storehouse of Love)

Greetings Prayer Angels,

I hope the recent holiday weekend was one of renewal, love, and thanksgiving.

As I was reading the gospel of Matthew this week, I was struck my the following:

From the fullness of the heart the mouth speaks. A good person brings forth good out of a store of goodness, but an evil person brings forth evil out of a store of evil. Matthew 12:34-35

What are we doing to make sure we are creating a storehouse of goodness within ourselves? What would your spouse, or family and friends say your storehouse is filled with? Does stress affect which silo your words come from?

I tell you, on the day of judgment people will render an account for every careless word they speak. Matthew 12:36

Advent is a perfect time to fill your heart with goodness. Spend more time in prayer. Make an advent commitment to only speak out of a heart filled with love. Pray for marriages and start practicing your love-speak with your spouse. Then pass it on.

Peace, Love, and Joy,
Janet

Pray for Families (Holiness)

Greetings Prayer Warriors,

Happy Black Friday. Many of you have probably quickly immersed yourselves into the Christmas Season and arose early to get the best deals. The rest of you are feeling behind already. There is still shopping, shipping, cooking, cleaning, Christmas cards, decorating….and so on.

Today I am asking you to refocus on the reason for the season. Sunday marks the beginning of Advent, a time to prepare your hearts for the coming of the Lord. Reflect on the fact that Christ chose to be born into a family. He chose to be born poor, being delivered among the stable animals in the dead of winter. He chose a blue-collar father who did manual labor. He chose to work along side his dad doing carpentry and his mom doing menial chores. His family moved constantly, and thus never had the stability of a long time home. However, there was abundant love. This is He who would be the Messiah, the King.

But you, beloved, build yourselves up in your most holy faith; pray in the holy Spirit. Jude 1:20

For I, the LORD, am your God; and you shall make and keep yourselves holy, because I am holy. Lev 11:44

So as you busy yourself to make your holidays merry and bright, also make them holy. Chose advent activities for the family that focus on the reason for the season. If you were able to get up early to do Black Friday shopping, arise early to make a weekday Mass, or to carve out some additional time for prayer. Make prayer a family activity and of course, pray for families!

Don’t deprive yourselves. Feel the anticipation of the coming of the Lord!

Peace, Joy, and Love,
Janet

Pray for Marriages (Give Thanks)

Good Morning Prayer Angels,

Every year as holidays approach, we busy ourselves in “preparation mode”. Take time this week to also prepare your heart and mind. Develop an attitude of gratitude. Slow down and reflect on all the blessings in your life. Start today by reflecting on just one blessing--marriage ☺. Whether married or single, we have been positively impacted by someone’s marriage. Perhaps it was our parents’ or grandparents’. Maybe it was the marriage of good friends. Stop and consider which couples have been a light for your path, your comfort in times of distress, the lifeboat in your loneliness, or the anchor in your life. Take a moment this week to tell them what their relationship has meant for you. Then ask them to join you in praying for marriages on Monday.

If you are married, also spend some time today reflecting on all that is good and special about your spouse. See Christ in them. Then lovingly acknowledge all the wonderful traits they have that you often overlook, and all the things they do that you take for granted. Experience the value of a sincerely spoken “thank you”. Then spend time in prayer, praising God for the sacrament of marriage.

God created man in his image…. God looked at everything he had made, and he found it very good. Gen 1:27, 31

Peace, Joy, and Love,
Janet

May your Thanksgiving be richly blessed. Be generous with your thanks and invite a friend to pray with us.

Pray for Families (Prayer)

Good Morning Prayer Angels,

We often forget that one of the most powerful weapons we have for healing is prayer. Say this prayer, and then later today, invite your own family to pray this with you.

A Prayer for Families

O dear Jesus,
I humbly implore You to grant Your special graces to our family.
May our home be the shrine of peace, purity, love, labor and faith.
I beg You, dear Jesus, to protect and bless all of us, absent and present, living
and dead.

O Mary,
loving Mother of Jesus,
and our Mother,
pray to Jesus for our family,
for all the families of the world,
to guard the cradle of the newborn,
the schools of the young and their vocations.

Blessed Saint Joseph,
holy guardian of Jesus and Mary,
assist us by your prayers
in all the necessities of life.
Ask of Jesus that special grace
which He granted to you,
to watch over our home
at the pillow of the sick and the dying,
so that with Mary and with you,
heaven may find our family unbroken
in the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
Amen.

As you come together with family and friends over the next week, prepare yourself in prayer so that you may be Christ’s light to all.

Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. Eph 4:3

Peace, Joy, and Love,
Janet

Pray for Marriages (Decision to Love)

Greetings Prayer Angels,

Love. Pure, sweet, amazing. It is what everyone desires whether they are in or out of a relationship. It is the elixir to everything that ails. Fabulous to receive, much harder to continually give. That is because love is an action. Love is a conscious decision. We must love even when we don’t feel like it. Interestingly though, if we continue to act lovingly, the feelings will eventually follow.

Not feeling it? Begin by improving your relationship with Christ. Give Him your will. Focus on imitating Him. Make His dispositions yours. Then it will no longer be you who love, but Christ who loves in you.

I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me; and the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. Gal 2:20

Pray for renewed love in marriages and all relationships. Then spend some extra time in prayer for marriages that are in the most need.

Peace, Joy, and Love,
Janet

Pray for Families (Pray together)

Good Morning Prayer Angels,

Take a moment and observe today’s family. Whether it be in your own home or out in a public place, it rarely looks like the tight-knit family of old. Today, each member is being diverted somehow. One is talking on a cellphone, the other playing with an electronic toy, the other happily texting away, and yet another is surfing the net. We have so assimilated all these electronics into our lives that we fail to see the destructiveness of overuse. Is it a wonder we have trouble communicating and finding common ground within our family? If you spent 20% of the time you spend with all your electronics in prayer with the Lord, would you scream that is too much?! Would 10% still be too much time? Yet what impact would increased prayer have on your family?

Persevere in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving; at the same time, pray for us, too, that God may open a door to us for the word, to speak of the mystery of Christ. Colossians 4: 2-3

Make a commitment to lessen your technology time to make more time for communication within the family. Use some of that extra time to pray as a family. Then pray for all families, that they may be renewed in Christ.

Peace, Joy, and Love,
Janet

Pray for Marriages (Balance)

Greetings Prayer Warriors,

As often as I don’t like having opposite viewpoints with my husband and what sometimes feels like a tug of war, I have learned that it’s not about winning, but coming to the right decision. The ensuing dialogue always takes us to a better endpoint than if either of us made decisions alone. And the endpoint isn’t always somewhere in the middle. Often one has greater knowledge or experience in a particular area.

Your surplus at the present time should supply their needs, so that their surplus may also supply your needs, that there may be equality. 2 Cor 8:14

The real gift of marriage is the balance/counterbalance that is created by 2 decision-makers. However, this ideal isn’t always easy to come by and doesn’t always feel like a gift. So let us pray for improved communications in marriage: the ability to share viewpoints, with love and active listening. And as appropriate, pray together to make the right decisions in life - then you’ll never end up with a tie.

Peace, Joy, and Love,
Janet

Pray for Families (Find Love in the Stillness)

Greetings Prayer Angels,

Everyone craves a positive family dynamic, like the ones seen in the family sitcoms of old. Instead most families mirror the family sitcoms of today, filled with chaos and dysfunction. However, it’s only amusing when we’re watching a fictional TV family. We ourselves long for togetherness and unity but we find ourselves immersed in busyness. Chronic busyness leads to impatience, which leads to short-temperedness, which just about kills familial communication. And once family members stop talking to each other, it just leads back to busyness.

When you feel yourself consumed by busyness, stop and carve out 10 minutes of time for yourself. Feel God’s love for you. God doesn’t just love us, He is love. Allow Him to be present in your life. Feel His peace in your stillness. Bring that newly found peace and love back into the family and see what changes.

We have come to know and to believe in the love God has for us. God is love, and whoever remains in love remains in God and God in him. 1John 4:16

Pray to be the family that Love built.

Peace, Joy, and Love,
Janet

Pray for Marriages with the Saints

Greetings Prayer Angels,

Happy All Saints Day!

I am jubilant that today is a Monday, because I just know that we have the entire heavens praying for Marriages!

I did a little research and learned that there are patron saints that represent all types of situations one might be faced with in marriage, such as abuse, adultery, unfaithfulness, difficulties, and divorce. Here are the patron saints that I found, but I am sure that there are many more.

St. Monica, St Anne Marie Taiga, St. John Francis Regis, St. Gengulphus, St.Catherine of Genoa, St. Elizabeth of Portugal, St. Fabiola, St. Marguerite d'Youville, St. Guntramnus, St. Helena, St. Castora Gabrielli, St. Dorothy of Montau, St. Edward the Confessor, St. Elizabeth of Portugal, St. Godelieve, St. Gummarus, St. Hedwig of Andechs, St. Helena, St. Louis IX, St. Margaret the Barefooted, St. Marguerite d’Youville, St. Monica, St. Nicholas of Flue, Olaf II, St. Pharaildis, St.Philip Howard, St. Radegunde, St. Rita of Cascia, St. Theodore of Sykeon, St. Thomas More, St. Wilgefortis, and St. Zedislava Berka.

Today, using the above saints, I will be praying a Litany of the Saints for marriages. Please join me. Let’s ask them to join their prayers with ours. Here’s my Litany:

Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
God, the Father of Heaven, have mercy on us.
God the Son, Redeemer of the world, have mercy on us.
God the Holy Spirit, have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, One God, have mercy on us.

Praise the LORD, who is so good; God's love endures forever;
Praise the God of gods; God's love endures forever;
Praise the Lord of lords; God's love endures forever;
Who alone has done great wonders, God's love endures forever; (Ps 136:1-4)

Holy Mary Pray for us
Mother of God Pray for us
Queen of all Saints Pray for us
St. Joseph Pray for us
(Then, using the above saints)
St._______ Pray for us
St._______ Pray for us

May all marriages be richly blessed!
Peace, Love, and Joy,
Janet

Pray for Families (Power of One)

Good Morning Prayer Warriors,

As I greet another Friday morning readying myself for prayer, I was ruminating on why families are struggling so much these days. It seems that the change in our culture has been so insidious. What stands out front, but is still hard to see, is how we don’t value children any more. I know the knee-jerk response is to say, “Yes we do!”, but let’s stop and reflect on the culture as a whole.

Children Then and Now
Then: treasures, blessings, gifts from God, investment in the future
Now: inconveniences, financial burdens, possessions (gotta have one!)

Then: Children died because medical technology and resources were limited. Parents did whatever they could to protect their children’s health.
Now: We have advanced medical technology and more resources. We pay to have children aborted or prevented, because we have busy full lives and need to protect our financial resources. When we do have children, we are often not around, but rather building our wealth and enjoying our material possessions.

When I heard these things, I sat down and wept. For some days I mourned and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven. Nehemiah 1:4

We do have the power to change the culture. Children ARE our future. It all starts with the behavior of one. Pray and fast. Because although it’s the day of the crucifixion, we always have the resurrection to look forward to.

“Hope does not mean that we ignore or minimize the evils around us. It means, rather, that we see the whole picture, which is that evil is conquered because of what happened one Sunday morning. We are called to proclaim, celebrate, and serve that victory, waiting in joyful hope for Christ's return and the full flowering of the Culture of Life! Indeed, Sunday's comin'!” Fr. Frank Pavone

Peace, Joy, and Love,
Janet

Pray for Marriages (Divine Healer)

Greetings Prayer Warriors,

Over time, our culture has shifted from thinking of marriage as a sacrament to seeing it as a legal contract. Many marriage ceremonies are shifting from churches to exotic locations. Removing God as the third person in a marriage has served to weaken the marriage commitment. Contracts can easily be broken. Commitments before God and covenants with God have a larger price to pay if broken.

Newlyweds rarely imagine the downside of “for better and for worse”, “for richer and for poorer”, “in good times and in bad”, and “in sickness and in health”? Over time, if marital strife sets in, is it really due to difficult times, lack of wealth, and sickness? Perhaps we are stumbling not because we are materially poor and physically sick, but because we are spiritually poor and spiritually sick. Turning to the Divine Healer is the only solution.

Lead us back to you, O LORD, that we may be restored: give us anew such days as we had of old. Lamentations 5:21

Let us re-invite the Lord back into our marriages and pray for others that they open their hearts to Him so that they may be the recipients of His divine healing.

Peace, Joy, and Love,
Janet

Pray for Families (Virtues)

Dear Prayer Angels,

Parenting. I’ve always wondered why children didn’t come with an instruction booklet. Perhaps that was God’s little joke. But then I realized that they are actually the instruction booklet. They lead us to a virtuous life. Throughout their growing years we find ourselves crying out to the Lord for the faith to keep going, the hope that this phase doesn’t last long, and the grace to love them, even when we don’t feel like it. Even as they reach adulthood we still cry out to the Lord, for patience as they exercise their independence, and for fortitude to self-sacrifice for their good.

Make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, virtue with knowledge, knowledge with self-control, self-control with endurance, endurance with devotion, devotion with mutual affection, mutual affection with love. 2 Peter 1:4-7

Today let us pray that we as members of a family, as parents and as children, continue to develop our virtues, and by practicing them, become a light to the rest of the world.

Peace, Joy, and Love,
Janet

Pray for Marriages (Trust in Him)

Good Morning Prayer Warriors,

Unfortunately, we all know someone whose marriage is faltering or even crumbling. Anger, fear, and resentment take hold. This can lead to despair and hopelessness.

So how do we help them? Pray. Pray for them, pray with them. Then encourage them to trust in the Lord to guide them in their journey. Fear = Lack of Trust in the Lord. No wonder Jesus so often said, “Do not be afraid.” For He is always with us, ready to bring us peace, and loving us beyond our comprehension.

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give it to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid. John 14:27

This week, pray with someone who has fallen into despair and hopelessness. May Christ pour out his love through you.

Peace, Joy, and Love,
Janet

Pray for Families (Outpouring of Love)

Greetings Prayer Warriors,

You know how sometimes you hear things repeatedly, but then one day you actually HEAR it? I was listening to Mother Angelica on the radio when she said the following:

God is the Father
Christ is the Word
The Holy Spirit is Love

I hadn’t really thought of the Holy Spirit as Love before. But then it made perfect sense.

How are we fanning the flames of the Holy Spirit so that Love may live more fully in us? If we exude such love, what impact would that have on our families? Have you ever noticed how a positive person affects all those around them, while a negative person does the same?

Read this slowly, as if you are reading it for the first time:

If I speak in human and angelic tongues but do not have love, I am a resounding gong or a clashing cymbal. And if I have the gift of prophecy and comprehend all mysteries and all knowledge; if I have all faith so as to move mountains but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give away everything I own, and if I hand my body over so that I may boast but do not have love, I gain nothing. Love is patient, love is kind. It is not jealous, (love) is not pompous, it is not inflated, it is not rude, it does not seek its own interests, it is not quick-tempered, it does not brood over injury, it does not rejoice over wrongdoing but rejoices with the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails. 1Corinthians 1-8

Let us pray for an outpouring of Love in all families.

Peace, Joy, and Love,
Janet

Pray for Marriages (One Heart)

Greetings Prayer Angels,

Marriage is like no other relationship. Two individuals need not only to work as one, but to become one. The latter part of that sentence, which is so easy to overlook, is really the most important part. If we truly looked at our spouse as part of us, would it change the way we treat them? The way we talk to them? What if they were our heart? Would we be kinder and gentler in our ways?

For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.' So they are no longer two but one flesh. Mark 10: 7-8

In all your interactions with your spouse this week, treat them as if they are the most vital part of you--your heart.

If you are not married, love your neighbor as yourself. See Christ in everyone. Make note of how your actions create new reactions.

Peace, Joy, and Love,
Janet

Pray for Families (Living Witnesses)

Good Morning Prayer Warriors!

I wanted to share something I read yesterday that I found very interesting. It was spoken by the now deceased Servant of God, Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen. As many of you may know, from the Great Depression to the late 50’s, he was a charismatic Catholic evangelist on radio and eventually television, spreading the Gospel of Christ throughout America. He said,

“It is the home which deciders the nation. What happens in the family will happen later in Congress, the White House and the Supreme Court. Every country gets the kind of government it deserves. As we live in the home, so shall the nation live.”

So let us pray that families can become living witnesses to love, peace, harmony, and cooperation. May we respect the dignity of each person, and strive to see Christ in everyone.

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave himself for our sins that he might rescue us from the present evil age in accord with the will of our God and Father, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen. Gal 1:3-5

Thank you for praying for families. I am confident that your prayers are being heard. Please continue to invite friends and family into our prayer battalion! Pass it on!

Peace, Joy, and Love,
Janet

Pray for Marriages (Instrument of Peace)

Good Morning Prayer Angels,

As we ready to pray for marriages today, I turn to the wisdom of St. Francis of Assisi. His prayer is both beautiful and powerful in its simplicity.

The Prayer of St Francis

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
and where there is sadness, joy.

O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek
to be consoled as to console;
to be understood as to understand;
to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive;
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. Amen

As we apply it to marriages, it really provides a roadmap. Let us pray that our good and gracious Lord pour down abundant grace upon us, so that we have the courage to live this prayer in our lives.

And 'to love him with all your heart, with all your understanding, with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself' is worth more than all burnt offerings and sacrifices." Mark 12:33

Peace, Joy, and Love,
Janet

Pray for Families (Imitate a Saint)

Good Morning Prayer Warriors,

On this Feast Day of St. Therese of Lisieux (The Little Flower), I thought it would be interesting to learn something from her that we could reflect upon as we pray for families today. Ironically, the quote I found from her marries beautifully with the bible verses I found this earlier this morning. As she talks about the love of her Sisters, think “family”.

I feel that when I am charitable it is Jesus alone who acts in me; the more I am united to Him the more do I love all my Sisters. If, when I desire to increase this love in my heart, the demon tries to set before my eyes the faults of one or other of the Sisters, I hasten to call to mind her virtues, her good desires; I say to myself that if I had seen her fall once, she may well have gained many victories which she conceals through humility; and that even what appears to me a fault may in truth be an act of virtue by reason of the intention. Story of A Soul, Chapter IX

Rejoice in hope, endure in affliction, persevere in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the holy ones, exercise hospitality. Bless those who persecute (you), bless and do not curse them. Rom 12:12-15

Thank you for your dedication to praying for the family. Invite a friend to join you in prayer today or send them a link to my blog.

Peace, Joy, and Love,
Janet

Pray for Marriages (Perseverance)

Good Morning Prayer Angels,

Marriage is such a diverse frontier. Everyone’s experience is unique and personal. Perfect marriages are rare, perhaps because the Lord often uses this avenue to perfect us. While some marriages are obviously bad, other marriages are just not good. For both, the pain is real and can often lead to feelings of hopelessness and despair. How does one know what God wills for marriages in these situations?

Brothers, as an example of patience in the face of suffering, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. As you know, we consider blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy. James 5:10-11

Nothing is sustainable without faith, hope and prayer. Please continue to pray unceasingly for marriages, especially for those couples who are too worn down to pray for themselves.

Peace, Love, and Joy,
Janet

Pray for Families (Culpability of Silence)

Dear Prayer Warriors,

September 22 was the beginning of the 40 days for life campaign, whose goal is to put an end to abortion in America. http://40daysforlife.com/about.cfm

As many of you know, a primary assault on the family is the killing of the unborn. The following prayer arrived in my inbox and it jolted me out of any self-righteousness or complacency and showed me my own culpability.

Lord, we thank you for those who have repented of
committing abortions and have resolved to defend
life. We too repent and resolve.

We repent of every instance in which fear has made us
silent when we should have spoken. We repent of the
ongoing bloodshed in our land, and for thinking that
we can deprive the unborn of protection but keep it
for ourselves.

We resolve that we will advance the cause of
righteous candidates for public office, and that we
will be more afraid of offending you by our silence
than of offending others by our speech. We resolve
that we will proclaim your name to the nations,
through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.

It is with certainty that almost everyone who reads this knows someone who has had an abortion or has had one themselves. We must pray for the healing of all those who have been involved with abortion, that they be open to the restorative grace and mercy of our Lord, Jesus Christ. Through that healing, may the bonds of family be strengthened and renewed.

Mother Teresa understood the effect of abortion with clarity.

"It is a poverty to decide that a child must die so that you live as you wish"

“We must remember that life begins at home and we must also remember that the future of humanity passes through the family"

As we pray for families, let us acknowledge our own culpability and ask to be strengthened in Him who loves us.

Peace, Joy, and Love,
Janet

Pray for Marriages (Learn How to Love)

Greetings Prayer Warriors,

We all have such an inherent need to be loved. If we were lucky, we first felt love from our parents. Then in adolescence our search begins, hoping to find that special someone that will satiate our craving for love and that will love us according to our own personal criteria, forever. What a steep order for anyone to fulfill. Along the way, our hearts are often crushed by those we thought were “the one”. If only we realized then, that there is only One who can love us fully, completely, unconditionally, and eternally--our Lord, Jesus Christ. If we first learn to love and trust Him completely, would then our ability to love be perfected by the time we marry? Would marriages be different?

You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.

Mark 12:30

Grace to all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with an undying love.

Eph 6:24

Seek a deeper love of the Lord. Carve out some quiet time where you can be wholly present to Him. Ask Him to show you His love, and teach you how to love as He does. Practice being more loving in your marriage, then pray for all marriages.

Pass it on.

Peace, Love, and Joy,
Janet

Pray for Families (Reconnect)

Good Morning Prayer Warriors,

As I boarded my aircraft heading home to Seattle last night, I noticed my seatmate happily using his cell phone. Slight jealously arose in me as only minutes prior I had come to the panicked realization that I had left my iphone at my mother’s house. With no iphone to distract me from real human conversation, I began to talk to him. 2½ hours later we finished our conversation, only because the plane landed. I won’t share the part about him being an Emmy-winning TV producer/director/writer, but I will share what I learned about family. And something tells me that his devout Irish-Catholic mom who loves her rosary, somehow shaped his love of family.

He is the oldest of 34 cousins. He brings them together from all over the country every year. He showed me, not in words but in his expression, the beauty of keeping your extended family tight. When he talked about his family, his face lit up more than it did when he was talking about any of his numerous professional successes.

The beauty of family is that for the most part, they love you unconditionally. They have seen us at our best and our worst. We can reach to them for help or to help. They are the refuge in the deluge! Without tight family connections who would be there for us in the long haul?

Love one another with brotherly affection; outdo one another in showing honor. Never flag in zeal, be aglow with the Spirit, serve the Lord. Rom 12:10-11

Continue to pray for the strengthening of families. Reach out to a relative that you haven’t spoken with in a while and reestablish the connection.

Peace, Joy, and Love,
Janet

Pray for M.O.M. (Nourishment)

Greetings Prayer Warriors,

I checked into an L. A. hotel last night that was flooded with celebrities from the Music Industry. The VMA Awards (Video Music Awards) was happening right next to the hotel and all the limos were pulling up in right in front of my hotel. This blocked cabbies from dropping off hotel guests, but mine refused to find the alternate entrance and dropped me off in the middle of the street. If it weren’t for a kind security guard, they probably wouldn’t have let me the paying guest, in the front door! So what does this have to do with marriages? I believe more than a few of those celebrities could use some of our Monday prayers!!!

Like celebrities, we can drown in the busyness of our day. Marriages need to be nurtured and fed each and every day or they will weaken and slowly die of starvation. So too our faith. If we nourish both on a daily basis, they will grow from a fragile seedling to a strong oak with deep roots.

I am the vine, you are the branches. Whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit, because without me you can do nothing. John 15:6

Discover new ways to nurture your marriage and your faith on a daily basis. Feel the difference it makes in your life.

Peace, Love, and Joy,
Janet

Pray for Families (Healing of Hurts)

Good Afternoon Prayer Angels,

On this beautiful Friday, I am in the Southern California sun visiting family. As my sister and I sift through boxes of old belongings of my dad, our emotions go from warm memories to hysterical laughter. Families have a way of touching every emotion possible, don’t they?

Unfortunately, some times family memories can be painful. Perhaps an isolated incidence causes you pain or perhaps the pain spans generations. This pain can linger or resurface at unexpected times.

So today faithful warriors, please pray for the healing of all hurts in your family. Pray for each family member. Next consider any generational pain that exists and ask the Lord for healing Pray for negative generational cycles to be broken. Fast from something as part of your prayer, then ask firmly in faith.

Mend your ways, encourage one another, agree with one another, live in peace, and the God of love and peace will be with you. 2Cor 13:11

Peace, Love, and Joy,
Janet

Pray for M.O.M. (Find refuge in the Lord)

Good Afternoon Prayer Warriors,

The beauty of marriage is that one is given a helpmate, a best friend to provide constant companionship, support, and encouragement, so that we may never be alone in our labors. When this relationship stops being synergistic and mutually self-giving, it usually begins to falter. The resultant pain can be overwhelming, often resulting in feelings of fear, loss, despair, and hopelessness.

I look to my right hand, but no friend is there. There is no escape for me; no one cares for me. I cry out to you, LORD, I say, You are my refuge, my portion in the land of the living. Ps 142: 4-5

We pray for marriages because so often one forgets that the Lord is always present, always waiting, always ready to provide comfort, love, and strength.

I raise my eyes toward the mountains. From where will my help come? My help comes from the LORD, the maker of heaven and earth. Ps 121: 1-2

The Lords never fails.

I pray that the Lord blesses all the faithful prayer warriors, as you are angels to me. Continue to pray for marriages, and please invite others to join in.

Peace, Love, and Joy,
Janet

Pray for Families (Dependence on God)

Dearest Prayer Warriors,

I learned a long time ago, there is no such thing as the perfect family, but rather just those families that look perfect from a distance! Still, we yearn to have that perfect family. Families today are very heterogeneous. There are 2 parent families, single parents, divorced parents, parents caring for their adult children, and adults caring for their aging parents. Distance between family members can add to the stress, while shrinking finances and escalating expenses add to the burden.

In God’s eyes, we are all one family in the Body of Christ. He too wants us to be that perfect family, and so often he is perfecting us through fire.

The hardest part is to let go of our will, trust in Him to take care of our needs, and to honor his will for us. We want so much to be in control, especially when life becomes extremely difficult.

"Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you shall eat or what you shall drink, nor about your body, what you shall put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add one cubit to his span of life?” Matt 6:25-27

Please pray fervently for families, as so many are overcome by stress and hopelessness. Through our prayer, let us pray that God gives all families the grace to depend wholly on Him.

Let us invite a friend to prayer. Pass it on.

Peace, Joy, and Love,
Janet

Pray for M.O.M. (Faith in Him)

Good Morning Prayer Angels,

I hope your summer has been re-energizing. Sun and warmth are so uplifting! They remind me of the love of the Lord and renew my faith.

Having faith is easy….until put to the test. When life is pummeling you like golf-ball sized hail, it is much harder to feel the Lord’s presence. When facing challenging situations, such as a marriage hitting the skids, it is easy to think, “Does He really have my best interests in mind?” Slowly, faith in Him dwindles. The urge is to take control is overwhelming.

Ironically, this is when we need Him all the more. And faith in Him is essential. In His name, we need to prayerfully ask in faith for what we need.

Whatever you ask in my name, I will do it, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. John 14:13

Where is your faith weak? Is there a situation in your life that you can prayerfully relinquish to Him? Pray for an increase in faith, the patience to wait for His response, and the strength to joyfully accept whatever His response is.

Peace, Joy, and Love,
Janet

Pray for Families (Prayer by Pope Pius XII)

Greetings Prayer Angels,

I found this prayer by Pope Pius XII, who was Pope from 1939-1958.
Some prayers are just timeless as our challenges are!

Prayer for Christian Families

O Lord, God of goodness and mercy,
Who in the midst of an evil and sinful world
hast presented to the society of the redeemed
the Holy Family of Nazareth
as a spotless mirror of piety, justice and love,
behold how the family is being undermined on all sides,
every effort being made to desecrate it
by stripping it of faith, religion and morals.

Regard the work of Thy own hands.
Safeguard in our homes the domestic virtues,
for these alone will ensure us harmony and peace.

Come and stir up the champions of the family.
Bestir the modern apostles so that in Thy Name,
bearing the message of Jesus Christ
and exhibiting holiness of life,
they may revive the doctrines of conjugal fidelity for married couples,
the exercise of authority by parents,
obedience on the part of children
and modesty on the part of girls.
Grant also through the efforts of these apostles,
that the home favoured by Thee with many blessings
may again become an object of esteem and love
in the minds and hearts of all.

It is through the examples of the Divine model of Nazareth
that the Christian family is to be restored in Jesus Christ
and to recover its former respect and dignity.
Then every home will again become a sanctuary
and in every household will be rekindled the flame of faith
to teach patience in adversity
and moderation in prosperity
and to promote order, peace and harmony in all things.

Under Thy paternal gaze, O Lord,
and with confidence in Thy Providence
and in the loving patronage of Jesus, Mary and Joseph,
the family will become a sanctuary of virtue
and a school of wisdom.
It shall prove, as Christ has promised,
a haven of rest against life's burdens.
In the sight of the world it shall render glory to Thee, O Father,
and to Thy Son, Jesus, until the day when,
through Him, we shall, together with all His members,
sing the Divine praises in the eternal ages to come.
Amen. (By Pope Pius XII)

Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving Col 4:2

Thank you for your ongoing commitment to pray for families. Please invite a friend or family member to join you in prayer.

Peace, Joy, and Love,
Janet

Pray for M.O.M. (Reinforcing the Foundation)

Good Morning Prayer Angels,

Young Love. Sweet, tender, and so full of hope. Absolute focus on the positive. Ease in minimizing the negative. Unshakeable faith in the sustainability of their relationship. How precious marriage begins with a leap of faith when one says, “I do”. “I will love you and honor you all the days of my life.” It can be a rude awakening when one realizes that there must have been pages of fine print they forgot to read!

It is helpful to remember/learn/realize, that sacramental marriage is a covenant with the Lord. Through this union, God is preparing the husband and wife for the ultimate heavenly union with Him. Through all trials, He will never leave you or abandon you.

For God alone my soul waits in silence, for my hope is from him. He only is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be shaken. On God rests my deliverance and my honor; my mighty rock, my refuge is God.Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us. [Selah] Ps 62 5-8

Action: Try to see the Spirit of Lord within your spouse. Re-read your wedding vows. If you are not married, encourage a married friend or family member to do so. Then pray for all marriages, that the Lord help each couple reinforce a weakened foundation in Him.

Peace, Love, and Joy,
Janet

Pray for Families (Love and Respect)

Good Morning Prayer Warriors,

Another day to fight in prayer for the family!

Today’s family is evolving in different directions. Whereas in the past, extended families lived close to each other, now they are often intra- and interstate. This becomes complicated because many of us are both parents and adult children of aging parents. It can be difficult to know just where our responsibilities begin and end.

Divinely, Scripture becomes the wanted roadmap.

With all your heart honor your father, and do not forget the birth pangs of your mother. Remember that through your parents you were born; and what can you give back to them that equals their gift to you? Sir 7: 27-28

Whereas independent adult children are no longer bound to be obedient to their parents, they are still called to respect them. The best way to teach our own children is by example.

For the Lord honored the father above the children, and he confirmed the right of the mother over her sons. Whoever honors his father atones for sins, and whoever glorifies his mother is like one who lays up treasure. Whoever honors his father will be gladdened by his own children, and when he prays he will be heard. Whoever glorifies his father will have long life, and whoever obeys the Lord will refresh his mother; For a man's glory comes from honoring his father, and it is a disgrace for children not to respect their mother. O son, help your father in his old age, and do not grieve him as long as he lives; even if he is lacking in understanding, show forbearance; in all your strength do not despise him. For kindness to a father will not be forgotten, and against your sins it will be credited to you; in the day of your affliction it will be remembered in your favor; as frost in fair weather, your sins will melt away. Sirach 3 2-6; 11-15

Let us pray for the courage and strength to fulfill our roles in love.

Invite someone new to pray for families. http://simplyinspiredprayer.blogspot.com/

Peace, Joy, and Love,
Janet

Pray for Marriages (New Hearts)

Good Morning Prayer Angels!

Happy Monday. How good it is to have a focus for our daily prayers! ☺

If marriage was easy, everyone would be called to it, so for those who are married, consider yourself CHOSEN! We know that those who are chosen always need constant prayer, therefore I know this blog has a purpose. ;) For those of you who aren’t married, thank you for responding to the call for prayer.

We have a perfect example in Christ, of how to love. Sometimes loving is easy. But at other times, unknown minefields can explode which make that loving a bit more challenging. Unless one is constantly centered in Christ and focused on His will, one’s heart can easily turn to stone in times of stress.

So let us pray for all marriages where a heart or hearts have turned stony, thus preventing a true expression of pure and unconditional love.

“I will give you a new heart and place a new spirit within you, taking from your bodies your stony hearts and giving you natural hearts”. Ezek 36:26

Take some additional time to pray today for a friend or family member’s marriage that appears to be in the midst of minefields.

May God’s Blessings be showered upon all of you.

Peace, Love, and Joy,
Janet

Pray for Families (Unity. Love. Faith.)

Good Morning Prayer Warriors,

I am reading a book on different approved Marian apparitions, and the following struck me as I was reading. "Teach these words to all generations: UNITY. LOVE. FAITH." Mary was referring to Church unity. But since families are ground zero for teaching children about Christ (mini-churches if you will), I thought Mary's message should be shared.

We can work on growing in love and faith individually, but to grow in unity, we must put that love and faith into action with others. If we as a family, church, nation, world, ever hope to achieve peace, we must first attain unity. To do this, we must continue to pray.

“And over all these put on love, that is, the bond of perfection.
And let the peace of Christ control your hearts, the peace into which you were also called in one body. And be thankful.” Col 3:14-15

So let us get down on our knees and pray for families, that the Lord provide abundant grace so that true unity may be achieved through a growth in love and faith.

Peace, Joy, and Love,
Janet

Pray for M.O.M.

Greetings prayer angels,

Vacations are a great time to re-energize and renew one's spirit. They take you away from the "must do" and take you to the "want to do". My favorite part of vacation is not caring about knowing what day of the week or time of the day it is. Well I am on vacation and just realized it is Monday (late Monday!) I love to pray on vacation as I contemplate what a gift it is....I am just less scheduled! So in the spirit of my vacation mode, please pray for Marriages some time this week!!

whoever has entered God’s rest has also rested from his works as God did from his. Heb 4:10

So pray and rest in Him.....

Peace, Joy, and Love,
Janet

Pray for Families (Light of Christ)

Greetings Prayer Angels,

Happy Friday! The weekend is just about here which usually means more family time. As you pray for families today, consider how you can be the Light of Christ in your own family. When they see you, do they see Christ? Do you exude humility, kindness, mercy, love, and peace? How would your family describe your countenance? How would your friends describe it? Are you His light in the world?

If you are like me, you may need to be transfigured too!

“You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” Matt 5:14-16

Pray that by bringing Christ’s Light into your family, and then the world, that families may be transfigured and renewed.

Blessings on your weekend!

Peace, Joy, and Love,
Janet

Pray for M.O.M. (Endurance)

Good Morning Prayer Angels,

Yesterday my 12-year-old son and I went hiking in Mount Rainier Nat’l Park. It was a true test of endurance (for me). It seemed the long hike was only UP. He would constantly say, “Come on mom!” and depending on how I felt at the time, those words sounded like either encouragement or frustration on his part! It was one of those journeys that I was quite proud of once I had completed the difficult part. So too it is with marriage. Some days, weeks, months, can feel like a test of endurance. However, if we quit too early, we never get to enjoy the beauty that awaits.

May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to think in harmony with one another, in keeping with Christ Jesus, that with one accord you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Rom 15:5-6

So let us pray that all marriages are blessed with the gift of endurance and steadfastness. May all see God’s beauty around them and hear His gentle voice calling to them, “Come on, I am here with you. Don’t stop now”.

Peace, Joy, and Love,
Janet

Pray for Families (Humility)

Good Morning Prayer Warriors!

I appreciate your tireless efforts to pray as well as encourage others to pray.

This morning, I was pondering earthly goals and heavenly goals and how often they are at opposition to each other. In work, as well as in families, you must work as a unit or team to be successful. While every member of a team contributes to it’s success, those who boast of their contributions tend to get the recognition/rewards. Humility keeps you invisible in the workforce. If you aren’t verbally or non-verbally saying look at me, look at what I just achieved, you won’t get very far. In families, are the humble members valued? Is humility encouraged and recognized? The Lord calls us to humility. It is through humility that we are able to succumb to God’s will and build an intimate relationship with Him. His love then blooms within us, and only then will we experience true peace. What better reward?

Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard others as better than yourselves. Let each of you look not to your own interests, but to the interests of others. Phil 2:3-4

So let us use our gifts, talents, and achievements to boast in the Lord. May we glorify the Lord in all we do. Pray for families, that they may grow in humility, while giving all glory and honor to Him.

Ask a friend to pray for families today or simply send them a link to this blog.

Peace, Joy, and Love,
Janet

Pray for M.O.M. (Beauty of Creation)

Good Morning Prayer Angels,

What a beautiful morning it is! I say this as I look out at beautiful pines and evergreens set against a backdrop of pure blue…not a cloud in the sky, which most of you know is highly unusual here in the Northwest.

As you prepare to pray for marriages today, make the beautiful outdoors your prayer chapel. Take in the beauty of His creation and sing His praises. Remember that you too, are part of His creation. Find a quiet, peaceful place, and pray for the healing and strengthening of all marriages. Spend some extra time in prayer for those marriages truly in crisis.

Ever since the creation of the world, his invisible attributes of eternal power and divinity have been able to be understood and perceived in what he has made. As a result, they have no excuse; for although they knew God they did not accord him glory as God or give him thanks. Rom 1: 20-21

Thank you for your ongoing commitment to pray for marriages. You are truly beautiful.

Peace, Love, and Joy,
Janet

Pray for Families (Classroom for Holiness)

Dear Prayer Warriors,

Families are such a blessing…….and admit it, sometimes we mumble under our breath about them being a curse! Whether it’s the family we grew up in, the family we are raising, or the family we married into, it’s easy to feel that the Lord is frequently testing us. Ironically, sometimes it’s the same quality that we once adored in a family member that eventually drives us nuts....and challenges our unconditional love!

Let no evil talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for edifying, as fits the occasion, that it may impart grace to those who hear. Eph 4:29

This week, look at your family as your new classroom for holiness! Here you can practice charity, patience, service, forgiveness, and so forth. You may find that in joyous self-giving you will begin to encounter Christ in your family members.

There are many who say: 'O that we might see some good! Let the light of your face shine on us, O Lord' Ps 4:6

Let us pray for all families, that they may grow in unity, through love.

Peace, Joy, and Love,
Janet

Pray for M.O.M. (Sun and The Light)

Good Morning Prayer Angels!

Unfortunately, everyone knows someone who is struggling with their marriage. Somehow, when the days are sunny, it is easier to have hope. Perhaps this is because unconsciously, spiritually, we know that the Lord is our Light, and His gentle rays will warm and comfort our hearts. We know He will light our path and see us through everything.

Light is sweet! and it is pleasant for the eyes to see the sun. Eccl 11:7

Spend some time in the sun, with your mind immersed in the Son, and pray for all marriages, especially the ones troubling your heart.

Peace, Joy, and Love,
Janet

Pray for Families (service in love)

Dearest prayer angels,

I am on day 6 of my vacation with both immediate and extended family. I use the term "vacation" loosely. In this short time, 7 of th 9 of us have suffered from a virulent stomach virus, with one family member requiring an ER visit. It has been a real test (and opportunity) to serve one another in love, as Christ did.

"If I then,your Lord and Teacher,have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you" John 13:14-15

So today, pray for families, and serve your families in love.

Peace, Joy, and Love,
Janet

Pray for M.O.M.

Good Morning Prayer Angels,

Today’s reflection is once again from: "Lies Women Believe" by Nancy Demoss

Lie: If my circumstances were different, I would be different.
Truth: I may not be able to control my circumstances, but it should not have control over me. God is bigger than my circumstances and has a plan for my life. (James1:2-5)

Consider it all joy, my brothers, when you encounter various trials, for you know that the testing 3 of your faith produces perseverance. And let perseverance be perfect, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. But if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God who gives to all generously and ungrudgingly, and he will be given it. James1:2-5

Pray for all marriages, that they can see God’s plan for them within their marriages.

Peace, Joy, and Love,
Janet

Pray for Families (Lies)

Good Morning Prayer Warriors!

I was reading some excerpts from “Lies Women Believe” by Nancy DeMoss, and the following “lie” caught my eye. And by the way, this lie isn’t only believed by women, so I suggest the men continue reading on!

As you read the lie, think of how it may apply to your life or your family and then meditate on the truth instead.

“Lie: I should not have to live with unfulfilled longings.
Truth: I will always have unfulfilled longings this side of heaven. The deepest longings of my heart can’t be filled by any created person or thing. If I accept them, these longings will increase my longing for God and heaven.”

But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we also await a savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. He will change our lowly body to conform with his glorified body by the power that enables him also to bring all things into subjection to himself. Therefore, my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, in this way stand firm in the Lord, beloved. (Phil 3:20-4:1)

Thank you for your ongoing commitment to pray for families on Fridays.

Peace, Joy, and Love,
Janet

Pray for M.O.M. (Trust)

Dear Prayer Warriors,

Hope you had a great 4th of July and are enjoying today as the work Holiday!

Independence. In our youth and young adulthood, we strive to become independent. We finally reach independence, but then we marry and we must learn interdependence! And we thought becoming independent was hard! Fruitful interdependence relies on a foundation of trust.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. Proverbs 3:5

So as we pray for marriages, let us pray for an increase in trust so that we/others can grow as a strong, interdependent couple where 1+1=3.

Peace, Love, and Joy,
Janet

Pray for Families (weariness)

Dear Prayer Warriors,

Have you ever felt too tired to pray? Had too much going on in your day, your weekend, or your life to carve out time to pray? Has the "warrior" in you ever felt weighed down by the armor?

Then offer up your joy, your sorrow, your work, and each sacrifice for families. Ask that these offerings activate the power of God in your families midst. Ask that each heartbeat and each breath be your prayer of love for God. Make good choices regarding nutrition and exercise as a prayer of gratitude. Seek the will of God is your life.

No one can serve two masters. He will either hate one and love the other, or be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon. Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat (or drink), or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds in the sky; they do not sow or reap, they gather nothing into barns, yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are not you more important than they? Matthew 6:24-26

Thank you for your continuing commitment to pray for families.

Peace, Love, and Joy,
Janet

Pray for M.O.M. (Healing of Verbal Wounds)

Good Morning Prayer Warriors!

Marriage is tough in that it takes a lot of work and effort to make it good. The bible teaches us that “the two will become one flesh”. Wrapping our human minds around the reality of becoming “one” can be challenging. We know we must unify. In our frustration though, words are often used to wound our “other half.” It is amazing how much venom can be packed into a few words. Unfortunately, once bitten, the venom travels systemically, and additional words can never extract the venom. Although wounds may eventually heal, scars remain. As scars separate us, unity feels impossible.

So turn in prayer to Jesus the Divine Physician. Ask Him to heal your wounds or the wounds you created so that they won’t leave permanent scars. Ask forgiveness of the person you hurt, or forgive the one that hurt you. Then humbly call upon the Divine Physician to forgive you of the sin that caused you to use such weaponry. Give Him your burdens and trust in Him. Ask Him to teach you to love.

Bless the LORD, my soul; do not forget all the gifts of God, who pardons all your sins, heals all your ills, delivers your life from the pit, surrounds you with love and compassion Ps 103: 2-4

Pray for all marriages, that love may become the only language used.

Peace, Joy, and Love,
Janet

Pray for Families (To love and serve)

Good Morning Prayer Angels,

Any frustration seems easier to bear in the sunshine! Maybe because it seems to be more illuminated! So begin today by praying for families.

As much as we love our families, individual members can at times be challenging, testing our patience, love, optimism, and faith. So how do we respond and still honor the Lord? I recently read something that was simply profound, or perhaps it was profoundly simple. It said, when you love and serve your family, you love and serve God. Consecrate your home to God. Allow God to dwell in your home, and you will dwell in God.

Read that a few times and allow it to sink in. Pray for the grace to serve each family member, especially the one that challenges you the most. When you glorify the Lord with such acts, newfound joy will spring up within. And you will have taken the first step to strengthening your family.

Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” 1Peter 5:5

Peace, Joy, and Love,
Janet

Pray for M.O.M. (Listen)

Good Morning Prayer Angels!

Summer is here! (Okay, here in the NW, it is summer by date only, not by weather!) So at least put on a sunny disposition before you begin to pray for marriages today!

It can seem very cute when we watch spouses start finishing each others sentences. Is it always positive though? What happens when we stop listening and start assuming? Does our spouse feel heard? What if we respond before they finish a sentence or vice versa? It is said that there is a reason God gave us two ears and one mouth! So this week, listen to your spouse twice as much as you talk. (If you’re not married, try this with an important person in your life.) See if listening makes a difference. Then as you pray for marriages, spend twice as much time listening for God’s response. See what happens.

"I will watch my ways, lest I sin with my tongue; I will set a curb on my mouth." (Ps 39:2)

“Speak, LORD, for your servant is listening” (1Sam 3:9)

Pray for all marriages, that through listening, all may see with new eyes.

Peace, Joy, and Love,
Janet

Pray for Fathers

Greetings Prayer Angels!

The words father, daddy, papa, and “daaddd!” all conjure up various kinds of images: provider, worker, counselor, roughhouser, disciplinarian, & first love, just to name a few.

My favorite image though is “love”. Dad’s show their love in such a pure and simple ways: kind words, affirmations, acts of service, gifts of time, self-sacrifice, discipline, humor, financial support, and hugs. Fathers create such a beautiful and much needed balance to the family!

A perfect example of an earthly father’s love is that shown by St. Joseph. He was steadfast in his role as protector, leader, husband, and father. He showed great faith, obedience, and humility. Most importantly, he understood the greatest gift a father could give his child was to love their mother. He truly mirrored the love of our heavenly Father and that of his Son, the child Jesus! What a beautiful example he set for us all!

So in honor of all fathers, living or deceased, natural or spiritual, let us pour ourselves out in prayer for them. Let us shower the living with hugs, affection, and words of affirmation, and the deceased with heavenly prayers of love.

…may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all (1Thes 3:12)

Dear Lord, we ask that you bless, empower, and strengthen all men. Teach them to love as you’ve loved, and to spiritually lead their families by becoming a beacon of your great light. Amen!

Happy Fathers Day! Pass it on!

Peace, Joy, and Love,
Janet

Pray for M.O.M. (Marriage is an art!)

Good Morning Prayer Warriors,

Let us prime ourselves for another day of prayer for marriages.

Marriage isn’t just a covenant, it’s an art! Melding with another person, who is more often than not the exact opposite of you, is exhilarating at first and even magical when you are blending like pastels, creating a beautiful Monet. But what if your marriage looks more like a Picasso?

Keep in mind that He is the potter and we are the clay! The Lord appreciates and loves all of his compositions. It is up to us to find the beauty in them! For by succumbing to His will, we allow Him to mold us into His perfect creation. And through faith and hope and trust in Him, he can transform any marriage into a masterpiece.

"...like clay in the hand of the potter, so are you in my hand" (Jer 18:6)

Let us pray for all marriages, especially those that don’t look or feel like masterpieces. And for those who have exquisite marriages, may they have the courage to step out as powerful witnesses to encourage others in love, as to what is possible through the Lord.

"I waited, waited for the LORD; who bent down and heard my cry,
Drew me out of the pit of destruction, out of the mud of the swamp, Set my feet upon rock, steadied my steps, and put a new song in my mouth, a hymn to our God. Many shall look on in awe and they shall trust in the LORD." Ps 40:1-4

Peace, Love, and Joy,
Janet

Pray for Families (Unity)

All week long, whether I was reading or in conversation, the term “unity” kept coming up. What a beautiful word. Unity. It signifies never standing alone. How powerful. But its absence can be devastating.

Being able to grow in authentic love (Christ-like) is an important step toward unity. If we allow ourselves to be lead by the Holy Spirit, he will help us grow in the fruit of the Spirit--love, joy, peace, patient, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

If we each strive to grow in these “fruits” and change our interior dispositions, what might the ripple effect be in our families, jobs, and community?

live in a manner worthy of the call you have received, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another through love, striving to preserve the unity of the spirit through the bond of peace: one body and one Spirit, as you were also called to the one hope of your call; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. Eph 4:1-6

Pray for increased unity in families. That each member may turn away from the “works of the flesh”(Gal 5:19-21) and grow in the fruit of the Spirit. (Gal5:22)

Peace, Love, and Joy,
Janet

Pray for M.O.M. (Suffering as prayer)

Good Morning Prayer Angels,

Sometimes it’s hard to pray. We can be so miserable that no words flow to form a prayer, only tears.

Perhaps our suffering can be our prayer. Sometimes song lyrics express it best.

“We pour our miseries, God just hears a melody,
Beautiful the mess we are, the honest cries of breaking hearts,
Are better than a Hallelujah.”*

So let us offer up to God as a prayer, that which is causing us the most suffering. Then let us then ask Him to use our suffering for the purpose of healing marriages. If you know someone in particular who is struggling in their marriage, offer it up for them specifically.

Consider that the sufferings of this present time are as nothing compared with the glory to be revealed for us. Romans 8:18

Peace, Joy, and Love,
Janet

* lyrics from Amy Grant’s “Better than a Hallelujah”

Introducing Simply Inspired Prayer

Feast of Corpus Christi

Dear friends in Christ,

Less than 8 months ago, I started what I thought was a reminder service--weekly email notifications to remind you to pray for “Marriages on Monday”. I even created a cute acronym, thinking that in a month or 2, you would remember without my help.

But then I got emails of encouragement asking me to continue. So I did.

On December 25, I felt called to add prayers for families, so I started the “Pray for Families on Friday” reminders. I reminded the Lord that I am not a writer, but all of you continued to send me words of encouragement, that felt like flower petals on my path.

Then a friend told me that I should start a blog “because people really do enjoy reading these Janet. Really! They even forward them sometimes.” When I said I doubted that, she instantly sent me a proof source. She continued saying I could promote it on Internet social sites such as Facebook. “I don’t blog” I told my friend. “I hardly go on my own Facebook page.” “Besides, “I told her, “these ‘posts’ aren’t about me.” I told her that it just felt too self-promotional, since the emails are all about prayer, not me.

However, the Holy Spirit had other plans. I mentioned in passing to another friend that someone thought I should start a blog. Within days, he emailed me saying he had created a blog for me, and what did I want to call it?

Warming up to the idea, but still not convinced, I started to pray about it. And pray... And pray...

So it is with both humility and excitement that I want to share my new blog with you on the Feast of Corpus Christi. I completed my blog on the actual Feast Day, and present it to you on the day it is celebrated in the U.S. May it in some way, build up the Body of Christ.

The name of my blog is Simply Inspired Prayer. I’ve provided a link for your convenience: http://simplyinspiredprayer.blogspot.com

I will continue with my twice-weekly emails unless you choose to opt-out of those and instead, receive reminders from the blog site. I am hoping the site will serve as an easy- access filing cabinet of my past emails should you want to re-read them. In addition, this should provide a simple way for you to share new or old posts with a friend or relative.

In Him, I remain your humble servant. It has been a privilege serving you thus far.

Peace, Joy, and Love,
Janet

Pray for Families (Foundational Unit)

Greetings Prayer Warriors,

It is Friday, so you all know what that means…. Pray for FAMILIES! If you stop reading here and kneel down and pray, I have already done my job!

To grasp why we pray weekly for families, it’s important to understand what makes them important in the first place.

The family is the foundational unit of society. It is the very first community that we experience. Several “firsts” occur within the family: love, stability, relationships, discipline (actions have consequences!), responsibility (Do I have too?!), and authority (Because I said so!) The family is our training grounds for the real world. We learn that men and women don’t think alike at all! We learn that you can argue and disagree with someone and still be loved! We learn about morality and right and wrong. Plus we learn the importance of taking care of, and being present for, our immediate and extended family. These learnings and best practices are then carried out into the society at large for the benefit of the greater good.

When the family crumbles however, the lesson plan often changes and both the family and society suffer.

So with Christian love, assist a family that is vulnerable or fractured. Offer to provide babysitting to a couple who needs time away from the children to work on their relationship. Offer to entertain the children of a single parent who would love an hour to get done whatever they haven’t had time for. Offer a few hours of respite care to the women/man who is a constant caregiver to their spouse and feels they can’t leave them home alone. Offer anything you can think of to help strengthen a family unit.

Children, let us love not in word or speech but in deed and truth. 1John 3:18

Pray and take action.

Peace, Joy, and Love,
Janet

Special Edition: Pray for our Military on Monday

Memorial Day 2010

Today, I am taking a slight detour, but one that I feel is important. Rather than praying for “M.O.M.” (marriages on Monday) today lets change that first M to military.

I thought it important to recognize and pray for all of our soldiers and support staff who have died for our country. They are a shining example of courage and faith.

As Christians, we can learn so much from them.

Soldiers are called. They answer the call because of their love for man and country, and most often, leave their families behind. They learn to deny their own will and to follow the commands of their superiors. They are called into total self-giving for the good of the whole. And most of all, they are willing to die for what they believe in.

Similarly, each of us is called by God to love and protect our fellow man and lead one another to Christ. We are chosen. We too must answer His call and step out in faith. We must follow His commandments, deny our own will, and follow His, knowing it is for the good of the whole. We are to build up the body of Christ.

So then, now that we have been justified by faith, we are at peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ; it is through him, by faith, that we have been admitted into God's favour in which we are living, and look forward exultantly to God's glory. Not only that; let us exult, too, in our hardships, understanding that hardship develops perseverance, and perseverance develops a tested character, something that gives us hope, and a hope which will not let us down, because the love of God has been poured into our hearts by the Holy Spirit which has been given to us. Romans 5:1-5

So in honor of those soldiers and support personnel who have given their all and made the ultimate sacrifice, let us pray. Let us pray for the families that are fractured in the wake of their deaths. Let us pray for healing, comfort, and abundant blessings to be poured out on these families. Let us also pray for the marriages of all soldiers who are separated from their spouses for months at a time. Let us pray that they remain united through their mutual courage and faith. And finally, let us pray for the children who ache for the love and hugs of their deployed parent(s).

So today, hug a soldier, hug their families, and thank all of them for their sacrifices for the good of humanity.

Peace, Love, and Joy,
Janet

Pray for M.O.M. (Unconditional love)

Good Morning Prayer Angels,

Years ago on the back of a bathroom stall I read: God is Love. Love is Blind. Stevie Wonder is Blind. Therefore Stevie Wonder is God. Not exactly good reasoning, but I thought it was quite humorous at the time!

Similarly, Christ teachings seem so simple on the surface. Love one another. (Doesn’t sound too difficult) Love your spouse. (Depends on day of week, time of day. Degree of difficulty varies greatly.) God is Love. (Yes, and I like that His love is unconditional too!)

So how do we translate that unconditional love to marriage? If God is love, being in total communion with God should allow our love to flow. If we give ourselves totally over to God, he will help us grow in love, so that we may totally give ourselves in love to our spouse. “The Spirit which the Lord pours forth gives a new heart, and renders man and woman capable of loving one another as Christ has loved us.” (JPII)

Just as the Father and Son are one, with the Spirit unifying them, so too are couples one, once sealed by the sacrament of marriage and open to the power of the Holy Spirit. It is the Holy Spirit that creates true unity.

..and the two shall become one flesh.' So they are no longer two but one flesh. Mark10:8

So this week let us pray for marriages where only one spouse is a willing participant. Let us pray that our Heavenly Fathers showers them with the grace needed to open themselves to receive an outpouring of the Holy Spirit.

"Be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other's faults because of your love. Try always to be led along together by the Holy Spirit, and so be at peace with one another." Eph 4:2-3

Peace, Joy, and Love,
Janet

Pray for Families (JPII prayer)

Dearest Prayer Angels,

It is Friday once again, and I am always amazed and humbled by what I am led to. This is an absolutely beautiful prayer for families from Pope John Paul II. I can't imagine a better prayer for families. So whether or not you are at a loss for words on Fridays or have a favorite family prayer, this would be a beautiful prayer to incorporate into your day.

Pope John Paul's Prayer for Families:

'Lord God, from you every family in Heaven and on earth takes its name. Father, you are love and life. Through your Son, Jesus Christ, born of woman, and through the Holy Spirit, fountain of Divine Charity. Grant that each family on earth may become for each successive generation a true shrine of life and love. Grant that your grace may guide the thoughts and actions of husbands and wives for the good of their families and of all the families in the world. Grant that the young may find in the family solid support for their human dignity and for their growth in truth and love. Grant that love, strengthened by the grace of the sacrament of marriage, may prove mightier than all the weaknesses and trials through which our families sometimes pass. Through the intercession of the Holy Family of Nazareth, grant that the Church may fruitfully carry out her worldwide mission in the family and through the family. Through Christ our Lord who is the Way, the Truth and the Life for ever and ever. Amen'

If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit Gal 5:25

Have a wonderful weekend. Make sure you find time for family.

Peace, Joy, and Love,
Janet

Pray for M.O.M. (Be Still)

Good Morning prayer angels,

Often when things aren’t going right in our lives, we whine, we moan, we have pity parties with our friends :), we belabor the situation, and then we immerse ourselves in busy to try to solve or fix the situation, or sometimes we remain busy to avoid the situation. Busy, busy, busy! Can't you just hear the buzzing?!

How often does it occur to us to stop, pray, & listen?

Be still and know that I am God. Ps 46:10

Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him. Ps 37:7

He woke up, rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, "Quiet! Be still!" The wind ceased and there was great calm. Then he asked them, "Why are you terrified? Do you not yet have faith?" Mark 4:39-40

Let us be still before the Lord,....... pray humbly for all marriages, .........listen,.......... then pray fervently for the marriages you know are most in need.

May your week be filled with Peace, may you bring Joy to others, and may His abiding Love fill your hearts to overflowing.
Janet

Pray For Families (Love 2x)

Good Morning Prayer Warriors!

Happy Friday!

Everyone has a relative or family member that seems to change the dynamics when they are at a gathering. Sometimes these are the “lost sheep” of the family, or maybe a personality that is most disagreeable. These might even be the family members that have drifted far from the Lord. They often cause our heart to ache. It may be hard to feel like a strong family unit when they are in our presence.

So instead of following our instinct to distance ourselves, let’s try to love them twice as much.

But I say to you, love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you,
that you may be children of your heavenly Father, for he makes his sun rise on the bad and the good, and causes rain to fall on the just and the unjust. Matt 5: 44-45

Reach out to that family member in person, by phone, letter, email, or text and send a positive message. And then pour out a double portion of your love for them in prayer. Then continue to pray for all families who are struggling in any way.

Have a blessed Memorial Day Weekend.

Peace, Joy, and Love,
Janet

Pray for M.O.M. (Grace)

Good Morning!

I hope everyone had a wonderful Mothers Day with lots of love being exchanged. Here in the northwest, we were given the blessing of brilliant sunshine!

I was skimming the Catechism of the Catholic Church* the other day, and stumbled upon a little pearl on marriage. It read:

“By coming to restore the original order of creation disturbed by sin, He Himself gives the strength and grace to live marriage in the new dimension of the Reign of God. It is by following Christ, renouncing themselves and taking up their crosses that spouses will be able to “receive” the original meaning of marriage and live it with the help of Christ.” CCC 1615

I admit I had to read that several times. I kept locking on the word “grace” and decided I needed to understand exactly what kind of “help” would be provided to marriages!!

So I checked two different sources:

Grace:
favor, free and undeserved help that God gifts to us to respond to his call to become children of God; participation in the life of God; it introduces us into the intimacy of Trinitarian life. (CCC)
the freely given, unmerited favor and love of god; the influence or spirit of God operating in humans to regenerate or strengthen them. (Random House)

So today, let us pray for Christ’s grace to flow abundantly on all marriages!

I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me. Phil 4:13


Peace, Joy, and Love,
Janet


* The Catechism of the Catholic Church is a statement of the Church’s faith and of catholic doctrine, attested to or illumined by Sacred Scripture, the Apostolic Tradition, and the Church’s Magisterium.

Pray for Mothers (Mothers Day)

Greetings Prayer Angels,

I love the line from the movie, My Big Fat Greek Wedding. The wise mother said to her daughter, “The man is the head, but the woman is the neck. And she can turn the head any way she wants.” It is a beautiful example of a mother’s wisdom. So, in honor of Mother’s Day, I ask that you join me in prayer as we celebrate that most special member of the family, mothers.

A mother’s role is so pivotal, so foundational, so selfless. It is through motherhood that she comes to truly understand what it means to die to self. She lovingly carries each child in her womb enduring months of discomfort and pain to bring new life into the world. She then nurtures, guides, and teaches. Then, if her children stray from the narrow path, she once again labors, enduring pain, discomfort, even agony, in an effort to give re-birth to them spiritually, to gift them with the Truth, that they too might come to know Him and gain all that He promises. She is a beautiful example of love.

In addition, let us pray for our spiritual mothers; women who are impregnated with the spirit of the gospel, and bring the Son into the world; women who have helped us grow in faith, shown us the love of Christ, and extended a hand, kind word, or healing embrace whenever we've needed it.

“It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me.”
Gal 2:20

And who is the perfect example of both physical and spiritual motherhood? Our Blessed Mother of course! So let us pray the Joyful Mystery for our mothers.

And may we always learn by our mother’s/Blessed Mother’s example.

"Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word." Luke 1:38

Happy Mothers Day!

Peace, Joy, and Love,
Janet

Pray for M.O.M. (sacramental marriage)

Good Morning Prayer Angels,

Peace be to you this Monday morning!

Here in the northwest, it is so nice to finally wake up to sun!! I am tempted to go outside and pray for marriages, until I notice the high winds! Wherever you are, find your prayer place!

What is special about a sacramental marriage is that it is more than a contract, it is a covenant. It is a promise to God. By putting God at the center of one's marriage, the union becomes more stable. Picture a 3-legged table vs. a 2-legged table. He becomes the foundation, the rock upon which we can lean, or in some cases, use as our sole support during difficult times. Knowing that God is faithful to his promises, we are able to forge ahead. The harder part is being faithful to ours, especially when we grow weary, become disenchanted, or feel betrayed. Or perhaps we were faithful to our promises, but our spouse was not. Suddenly we are called on to forgive, what often times can feel unforgivable. In all these circumstances, we need community, and most of all, prayer.

To the married, however, I give this instruction (not I, but the Lord): a wife should not separate from her husband --and if she does separate she must either remain single or become reconciled to her husband--and a husband should not divorce his wife. To the rest I say (not the Lord): 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. 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 7:10-16

Let us continue to pray as an extended community for all marriages, especially the healing of broken marriages. For we are called as part of the body of Christ to build up his church, and we can begin by supporting one another in prayer.

Peace, Joy, and Love,
Janet

Prayer for M.O.M. (twilight years)

Good Morning Prayer Warriors!

Happy Monday. Last night I started reflecting on marriages once again, this time on couples in their “twilight” years. Their relationship seems so special. They are mutually supportive, loving, kind, protective, & thoughtful. Why these spouses even start looking like each other! There seems to be an added strength in marriages as they’ve weathered the storms. Could it be they’ve come to understand humility, their own weaknesses, and the need to be interdependent? They’ve gained patience, learned selflessness, and grown in love and respect. What can we learn from this?

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. Do not grow slack in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord.
Rejoice in hope, endure in affliction, persevere in prayer. Rom 12::9-12

Talk with a couple you admire who have been married over 30 years. Ask them the key to their joy and long-lasting marriage. Share their story with others; renew hope. Most of all pray for all marriages, especially those in most need.

May your week be blessed.

Peace, Joy, and Love,
Janet