Pray for Families (Fishers of men)

Greetings Prayer Warriors,

I must admit, that when I have a crazy work/travel day, posting on my blog takes a lot of motivation.  It is my joy to remind all of you to pray for marriage and families, but my humanness shouts, you're too tired!   

But The Lord speaks.

Therefore, since we have this ministry through the mercy shown us, we are not discouraged.   2 Corinthians 4:1

I am reminded that the mission is simple.   We are ALL called to pray in word and deed, and it is by His love radiating through us that conversion of heart happens.  Not just in our families, but all around us.

He said to them, “Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men.”  Matthew 4:19

Cast your prayer, the Spirit will provide just the right bait, and fishermen you will become.

You are the reel deal. :)

Peace, Joy, and Love,

Janet

Make the perfect cast: Pray!   Inspire others to become fishers of men.

Pray for Marriages (Witness of Love

Greetings Prayer Warriors,

I hope everyone had a blessed Thanksgiving weekend.  Hopefully the holiday provided you an opportunity to spend time with family and friends and reflect on what is truly important in your life.

I am grateful for all those married couples who have been a positive witness to marital commitment.  Those couples we all know that have been married 20, 30, 40, 50 or more years.  There is a strength and fortitude that emanate from them.  They represent the hope of what can be for all other married couples.

Light shines through the darkness for the upright; gracious, compassionate, and righteous. Psalm 112:4

Join me as I pray a prayer of gratitude and thanksgiving for these couples.

Lord, send a special blessing upon all the long-married couples that are beacons of light for all the married couples who are struggling in the darkness.  Thank you for their witness of love and perseverance.  Thank you for their representation of hope, for we know they too traverse hills and valleys in their journey. Thank you, for all the special people you have placed in our lives who reflect your love, and provide us continued encouragement along the way.

Peace, Joy, and Love,

Janet

Share your light.  Pass it on.   

Pray for Families (Kindness and Compassion)

Dearest Prayer Warriors,

As we give thanks, may our prayer be a silent one of action.  Spend quality time with your family this weekend, and reach out to someone who is alone for the long holiday weekend.  We are one body.  Celebrate it and give thanks!

Thus says the LORD of hosts: Judge with true justice, and show kindness and compassion toward each other.  Zechariah 7:9

I give thanks for YOU!!! Blessings on your weekend!

Peace, Love, and Joy,

Janet

Show kindness always.  Pass it on. 

Pray for Marriages (Healing Love)

Greetings Prayer Warriors,

So many marriages fail because at least one of the spouses believes that their relationship has hit a point of no return. The problems are too overwhelming, the wounds too deep, and the desire to stay together has vanished.    For humans, yes, this situation may feel impossible. For God, nothing is impossible.  Perhaps our real crisis is one of faith.  Do we not trust Him with our welfare? Are we really closing ourselves off to Love Himself?

Everything is possible to one who has faith.  Mark 9:23

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

Lord, meet us in our weakness. Give us the courage to open our hearts to you. Help us trust you, especially when we are too scared to try.  Heal our wounds with your soothing Love. Penetrate our fear and give us the grace to be open to your will. Give us child-like faith.  Carry us until we are strong enough to stand.

Peace, Joy, and Love,

Janet

Prayer: a gift that keeps on giving.  Say a prayer and pass it on.

Pray for Families (Fortitude, Wisdom, Perseverance)

Greetings Prayer Warriors,

I was gifted with the opportunity to reconnect with an old friend recently.  We were both “new” parents together, navigating uncharted territory.  Back then, I was simultaneously amused and bewildered as I would see her then young child constantly test the boundaries.   She would push her mother, my friend, to the limits, testing, testing, testing.   I was in awe of how well my friend held the boundaries, especially when I would imagine how I might cave in under similar circumstances.

Fast forward, 16-18 years.  My friend confides that her daughter continued to test the waters through adolescence and  into young adulthood.  What a terror her daughter might have been today if she hadn’t been such a hard-nosed parent.  While her daughter was in college, she got a call one Sunday morning.  “Mom, can we talk?  Thank you for being so hard on me.”   Apparently, the night before, a circle of friends randomly started talking about their upbringing.  As if a veil had been lifted, my friend’s daughter instantly saw the link between how her friends were raised and how they behaved today.   The selfish one, the spoiled one, the lazy one, the insensitive one, the generous one; it was like a switch went off in her head and she saw a direct link between upbringing and behavior.  “Thank you, Mom.”   And, as if on cue, my friend responded, “Excuse me honey, I think we have a bad connection.  Can you repeat that?”

Today, let us pray for parental fortitude, wisdom, and perseverance. Then let us pray that all children eventually see the light, Your Light, shining through us.

I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13

Lord, give us the courage to say no, when it is in the best interest of our children.  Help us know when to hold the line, and when to soften in compassion.   When the journey seems endless, may we feel your companionship and support.   Lord, carry us when we feel weak!

To the weak I became weak, to win over the weak. I have become all things to all, to save at least some. 1 Corinthians 9:22

Peace, Joy, and Love,

Janet

Help a friend. Pass it on.  

Pray for Marriages (The Heart of the Matter)

Greetings Prayer Warriors,

The journey can be painful, but through hindsight great wisdom is gained.   The treasure is when such wisdom is shared with others.

I recently was talking with an old friend who divorced many years ago, but has since remarried and is very happy.   She confided to me that she is the only oneamong all her friends who has been through a divorce, and as such, when one of her friends is having marital difficulty, they consider her the go-to person.  “You seem so happy in your marriage,” they begin, assuming that the second time must be a charm, and hoping she will confirm that.   What my friend told me next, startled and delighted me at the same time.  She tells them, “I have no fewer daily discussions, compromises, or bones of contention with the second husband than the first.  What is different is the core of who the individual is.  You must look at your husband and determine if at his core, is he a good person?  Does he have good values/morals?  Good intentions?  If the answer is yes, then you won’t find anything better next time around.”  “Wow”, I responded, “then wouldn’t the lesson be that this is what all individuals should be considering before they get married the first time?”   “Exactly,” she responded.

A good person out of the store of goodness in his heart produces good, but an evil person out of a store of evil produces evil; for from the fullness of the heart the mouth speaks.  Luke 6:45

Let us pray for all those who are contemplating marriage, that they may be blind to their partner’s human imperfections, but have laser-sharp vision on the intentions of their love’s heart.

Peace, Joy, and Love,

Janet

Help the others to see more clearly.  Pass it on.