Pray for Marriages (Beauty and Purpose)

Dear Prayer Angels,

Have you ever been at the right place at exactly the right time?  Did you stop and marvel at the perfect timing?  Did it occur to you that it wasn’t a coincidence, but a God-incidence?

Have you considered that the Lord brought you and your spouse together for a most perfect reason and that it was part of God’s perfect plan?

Spend some time in prayer to discern what the true purpose of your union is, no matter if your marriage is sublime or rocky.  (If you are not married, pray to discern if the Lord desires a union for you.)  Then pray for all marriages, that each spouse see the purpose and beauty of their call to marriage.

We know that all things work for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.  Romans 8:28

Then in thanksgiving, praise our Creator for bringing your parents together, as well as your in-laws, for the best possible result—YOU and your spouse! 

Let them praise the name of the Lord, for he commanded and they were created. Psalm 148:5

Peace, Joy, and Love,

Janet

His purpose is that we begin with prayer.  Pass it on.

Pray for Families (The Face of Love)

Greetings Prayer Warriors,

Recently, I have had a huge increase in my professional workload.  Suddenly, it is much harder for me to keep my life in equilibrium.   How often circumstances beyond our control challenge us!  While the “needy” aspect of our life takes over, other obligations certainly don’t disappear.   That is why the Lord created family.

Families are truly a gift.   They are meant to balance our lives.  No one’s life stays in perfect balance, but the love and support of family can keep us from capsizing in the storm. Whether your family is a biologic one or a spiritual one, know that they are a special blessing from God, a sign of His love.

Beloved, let us love one another, because love is of God; everyone who loves is begotten by God and knows God.  1 John 4:7

Simple deeds done in love can lighten heavy burdens.  Words of encouragement can act as a powerful counterweight.  Sincere prayers can change hearts and lives.   Love has many faces.  Yours is one of them.

Be the spark that ignites your family in love. 

Peace, Joy, and Love,

Janet

Love your family through prayer.  Pass it on.

Pray for Marriages (Restraint)

Greetings Prayer Warriors,

What would the state of marriages be today if spouses practiced the virtue of temperance (restraint, self-control, abstention, moderation) in their words and in their behavior?  Have you seen the absence of this virtue destroy a marriage?

Naturally, our minds jump to someone else, but before thinking of someone else, consider your own behavior first.  Just remember, every time you point your finger at someone, there are 4 fingers pointing back at you! 

This week let’s ask the Lord for the gift of temperance for ourselves, for our spouses, and for all marriages.  May He heal those marriages destroyed by excess and protect those that are weak and vulnerable.

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 1:5-7

You are my hiding place; You preserve me from trouble; You surround me with songs of deliverance. Selah.  Psalm 32:7

Peace, Joy, and Love,

Janet

Pray without restraint!  Pass it on!

Pray for Families (Single Parents)

Greetings Prayer Warriors,

Many find themselves single parents by choice, by divorce, or as widows.  I can’t imagine the difficulty of standing alone in parenthood.  There are so many responsibilities and stresses that are best shared.  I envision the Blessed Mother all alone as she endured living through Christ’s Passion.   But we are never alone and Mary knew that well.

It is the LORD who marches before you; he will be with you and will never fail you or forsake you. So do not fear or be dismayed." Deuteronomy 31:8

I imagine Mary’s enduring strength came from grace obtained through prayer to the Heavenly Father, and the reflection of His love in her community.

This week, pray for families that are headed by single parents.  May they receive an extra dollop of grace, a large scoop of love, and an unexpected helping hand from their brothers and sisters in Christ.  May smiles be exchanged, time freely shared, friendship enkindled.  For in loving the parent, you love the Child and in loving the Child, you love the parent.

Peace, Joy, and Love,

Janet

Share His Love; Give of your time.  Pass it on.

Pray for Marriages (That one never feels alone)

Greetings Prayer Warriors!

Life is so unpredictable. Just when you think you can coast, there is a curve in the road.  The Lord did not plan for us to maneuver all alone, but to have the support of our brothers and sisters in Christ.  In them, we often find a mirror of the truth of our lives.  As much as we prefer coasting, we must follow the tortuous path that often lies ahead of us.  We must find strength in the fact that we are never alone.

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us rid ourselves of every burden and sin that clings to us and persevere in running the race that lies before us while keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus, the leader and perfecter of faith. For the sake of the joy that lay before him he endured the cross, despising its shame, and has taken his seat at the right of the throne of God.  Consider how he endured such opposition from sinners, in order that you may not grow weary and lose heart. Hebrews 12:1-3

Let us pray for those who are weary in their marriages, who have lost any sort of predictability in their lives, and are having difficulty in their path.  May the Lord shine his light upon them, illumine their minds, and strengthen their will to persevere and follow Him.  May all the angels and saints pray with fervor that not one couple lose their will to keep the faith, that they persist in hope, and that they have the strength to love during adversity.

Peace, Joy, and Love,

Janet

Let someone know that they are not alone.  Pass it on.

Pray for Families (Peace in God's Creation)

Greetings Prayer Warriors,

I am up in the high Eastern Sierras, in what feels like the middle of God's country.  My senses are aroused by red mountains, crystal lakes, rocky crags, and meadows filled with wildflowers, dressed only like the Lord could do.  Water spilling down streams and wind rustling through the trees brings delight to my ears.  There is a special peace when we separate from electronics and an over scheduled life. .  One is even able to have meaningful conversations with their family members when there is nothing but the beauty of God's creation to distract or inspire them .

By waiting and by calm you shall be saved, in quiet and in trust your strength lies.  Isaiah 30:15

Find time to get lost in the beauty of God's creation.   Rest, relax, and renew.   Pray in the quiet of heaven on earth. 

Peace, Joy, and Love,

Janet

Encourage someone to find peace.  Pass it on.

Pray for Marriages (Make us one)

Dearest Prayer Warriors,

The hardest part of marriage is continual unity.   In marriage, we are one flesh, yet how frequently we go our separate ways.

Lord, make us one.

When we show our love in differing ways, may we recognize the sweetness of a good intention.

Lord make us one.

When we can't agree, help us to understand respect each other's viewpoint.

Lord make us one.

When we express and experience our prayer lives differently, may we never forget to pray for one another.

Lord make us one.  When we take two different roads; may we then rejoice when we get to the same destination.

Lord make us one.  

I urge you to live in a manner worthy of the call you have received, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another through love. Ephesians 4:2

As you pray for marriages, continue to pray prayers of both petition and thanksgiving.

Peace, Love, and Joy,

Janet

Help a couple find unity. Pass it on.