Pray for Marriages (Holy, Holy, Holy)

Good Morning Prayer Warriors,

I attended an RCIA class as a sponsor and the priest asked the class, when did you learn to not be selfish? Besides the obvious, “when I had kids,” many answered: “When I got married”. The priest said that at first we love because it makes us feel good to do wonderful things for our beloved. But eventually there comes a time, where we just don’t feel like doing all those niceties anymore. However, he continued, we should still do them out of unconditional love. Once again, we are called to imitate Christ’s love by a pouring out of ourselves.

I call it putting the Holy, Holy, Holy (Christ) back into Matrimony. Perhaps that is why so many marriages wither. They have taken the Holy out of the Matrimony! But just how do you help it reenter or even enter for the first time?

For God who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," has shone in our hearts to bring to light the knowledge of the glory of God on the face of (Jesus) Christ. But we hold this treasure in earthen vessels, that the surpassing power may be of God and not from us. We are afflicted in every way, but not constrained; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our body. For we who live are constantly being given up to death for the sake of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may be manifested in our mortal flesh. 2Cor 4:6-11

To find the “Holy, Holy, Holy, in your spouse, you must first show them the “Holy, Holy, Holy,” in you! Small acts of kindness done with love, will glorify God in a big way. So let’s pray, pray, pray that we will give glory to God in the Highest by putting the “Holy” back into Matrimony. If you are not married, please pray for the rest of us!!!

Peace, Joy, and Love,
Janet

Pray for Families (Soul Food)

Dear Prayer Warriors,

Nothing can warm the heart and elevate the spirit more than a shared meal with the family. Good nutritious food, sweet aromas, and shared laughter. Perhaps this is why we always spend the holidays with family. But are we doing this on a daily basis?

What kind of non-edibles are we feeding ourselves/the family? Is it food for the soul? Are we visiting with family, or our electronics? Are we using this time to find out about each other’s day? Are we listening and learning about each other’s joys, hopes, sorrows, and frustrations? Are we in turn offering kindness, concern, and love, or are we jumping on the negativity bandwagon instead? What media are we reading, watching, and listening to? Does it have a positive effect on the family and help us grow in virtue and Christian love?

“What comes out of a person, that is what defiles. From within people, from their hearts, come evil thoughts, unchastity, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, licentiousness, envy, blasphemy, arrogance, folly. All these evils come from within and they defile." Mark 7: 20-23

Prayer helps conquer the evil in our hearts. Are we carving out time each day? If not, ask yourself what type of “food” is crowding it out.

Let us pray this week for the healing of fractured families. May an increase in soul food help speed the recovery of virtue and love.

Peace, Joy, and Love,

Janet

Share some soul food. http://simplyinspiredprayer.blogspot.com/

Pray for Marriages (Believe)

Greetings Prayer Warriors,

May the Spirit of Peace rest within you!

Marriage is such a journey. It is a winding road where we can never see what’s around the corner. What we must have faith in, is that the end of that road will lead to a good place if we keep Christ in our marriage.

I love this excerpt from today’s gospel:

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

If we are being honest with ourselves, this is what we feel more often than not. The context of this passage is about a father asking Jesus to exorcise a demon from his son, if He can, (since the apostles were unable to).

Do we too doubt Christ’s saving ability in our lives, in our marriages?

When the apostles asked Christ why they failed to exorcise the demon, He replied:

"This kind can only come out through prayer." Mark 9:29

Prayer is always the answer. Add to that humble trust and infinite patience.

Let us pray with a belief that our prayers will be answered. Continue to pray for all marriages, especially those in most need. Invite others to unite their prayers with yours.

Peace, Joy, and Love,
Janet

Prayer has a calming effect. Invite someone to tranquility.

Pray for Families (Loving like Christ)

Dearest Prayer Angels,

I have a relative who is taking care of a family member who is in poor health. Although they are acting as the sole caregiver and trying to be loving and kind, they are met with what feels to them as complete ingratitude by the recipient. Constant demands are made for things that are truly unimportant.

When I thought about how difficult it is to continue to give of oneself in this circumstance, Christ’s words struck me.

As I have loved you, so you also should love one another.
John 13:34

We must love in spite of it all. Christ loves us unconditionally, even when gratitude is not our attitude. How often are we asking the Lord for wants rather than needs? If we are to imitate Christ, we must love one another, even when it’s difficult. Love is the universal language. Love changes hearts.

Pray that we all can remain loving toward family members, even when they challenge us.

Peace, Joy, and Love,

Janet

Invite others to prayer. The may learn to be better lovers. http://simplyinspiredprayer.blogspot.com/

Pray for Marriages (Love)

Good Morning Prayer Angels,

May you be overwhelmed with His Love today!

Love is something everyone seeks. From the teen years through adulthood, one seeks their soul mate, so they can marry and live happily every after. If only love and romance were like the movies!

However, if one is seeking perfect genuine love, there is only one place to find it. Accept His Love and he will teach you how to love. Invite or re-invite Christ into your relationship and into your marriage and ask Him to perfect your love.

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. In this is love brought to perfection among us, that we have confidence on the day of judgment because as he is, so are we in this world. 1 John 4:16-17

Today, on Valentine’s Day, let us pray that we learn how to love by His example. Let us pray that all marriages be strengthened by He who is love. And let us pray for all those preparing for marriage, that Christ be the center of their marriage from the very start.

Open your hearts to all that He offers.

Peace, Joy, and Love,
Janet

Share the love. http://simplyinspiredprayer.blogspot.com/

Pray for Families (Faith and Trust)

Good Morning Prayer Angels,

Are you ever overwhelmed by life? Are there situations in your family that you would like to correct or control, but you feel powerless to do so? Do you wish you had all the answers, but realize you have none? That is the time to let go and let God.

Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God. Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Phil 4:6-7

Get down on your knees and pour your heart out to the Lord. Let him know your frustrations, your hopes, your sorrows, and your joy. Realize that he may be calling you to grow in faith and trust. Continue to pray not only for your family, but all others as well. Look to the Holy Family for inspiration.

Peace, Joy, and Love,
Janet

Expand our prayer circle. No one need pray alone. Invite them to prayer on Mondays and Fridays.

Pray for Marriages (Leap of Faith)

Dearest Prayer Angels,

Grace be with all of you.

With so much unemployment and a rising cost of living, financial difficulties can put a huge stress on marriages, especially if you don’t agree on how money should be spent (or not spent). Money, like food, is a necessity, but just how much is enough? Can we separate needs from wants in our decision-making? Can we and will we, trust that God will take care of our needs? Are we open to letting go of our wants, especially when we live in a culture where more is considered better? Can we let go of our pride? Can we avoid pointing the finger at the one who lost their job and instead offer them a compassionate heart? Can we be generous with what we do have and help those who have less?

Let your life be free from love of money but be content with what you have, for he has said, "I will never forsake you or abandon you." Thus we may say with confidence: "The Lord is my helper, (and) I will not be afraid. What can anyone do to me?" Heb 13:5-6

Hard times demand a leap of faith. When hard times hit, consider it a gift from God to help you increase your faith and trust in Him.

Pray for all marriages, especially those experiencing financial stress.

Peace, Love, and Joy,
Janet

Let someone know they never have to worry alone. Invite them to prayer. http://simplyinspiredprayer.blogspot.com/

Pray for Families (Fervent Prayer)

Dear Prayer Warriors,

We have spent over a year praying for the strengthening of families, but with the following statistics, we need to also pray for families.

The statistics continue to get more frightening. 41% of all babies born are to single mothers. We are no longer talking about the breakdown of the American family but the disappearance of it! With fewer couples electing to marry, the traditional family is lost too. On a positive note, at least those single moms are having their babies. But when they aren’t wanted……well that’s another story. In NY for example, 41% of all babies are aborted!

Rather than feeling defeated, we must rise up in prayer and storm heaven.

The fervent prayer of a righteous person is very powerful. Elijah was a human being like us; yet he prayed earnestly that it might not rain, and for three years and six months it did not rain upon the land. Then he prayed again, and the sky gave rain and the earth produced its fruit. My brothers, if anyone among you should stray from the truth and someone bring him back, he should know that whoever brings back a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins . James 5:16-20

The family is an amazing gift. Let us pray that more eyes are open to the beauty and strength of family. And for all those struggling to keep their family together, may they be showered in His comforting grace and feel His helping hand upon them.

Peace, Joy, and Love,
Janet