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