Pray for Marriages (Gratitude)

 Greetings Prayer Warriors,

As another year comes to a close, I am grateful.

• Grateful for all the prayer angels who pray for marriages, whether it be once a year or once a week.  Thank you!
• Grateful for all those who forward on this blog  when they feel called to do so. You may never know the lives you've touched.  Bless you!
• Grateful to Saint Monica who I know joins us in intercessory prayer and pleads on behalf of the most fractured marriages.
• Grateful for the gift of being able to stop in the California church that I was married in almost 30 years ago (St. Monica's) :)  and say a prayer of thanks.
• Grateful that you pray for families too. 

The Lord bless you and keep you! The Lord let his face shine upon you, and be gracious to you! The Lord look upon you kindly and give you peace!  Numbers 6:24-26

Peace, Joy, and Love, 

Janet

Pass it on!  http://simplyinspiredprayer.blogspot.com/

Pray for Families (The Greatest Gift)

Greetings Prayer Warriors,

Merry Christmas!  On this third day of Christmas, I hope the wonderment of the miracle birth is moving your heart in new ways!   Bask in the miracle, bask in His Light!

We saw his glory, the glory as of the Father’s only Son, full of grace and truth!  John 1:14

As I continue to ponder the birth of the Christ Child, I am struck not just by the amazing gift of our Savior, but also by the “child as gift”. Could perhaps the Heavenly Father also be showing us what the greatest gift He gives is: Pure, sweet, adoring babies, which so beautifully reflect His love; a gift He hopes we’ll accept? 

Living in a culture that embraces either waiting for children until one is ready, or even having them outside of marriage, let’s ponder what the lives of Mary and Joseph teach us about marriage and family.

It’s not about our will, but the surrender of it.

It’s not about self-love, but self-emptying love.

It’s not about one’s pride, but one’s humility,

It’s not about the beautiful house, but the loving home we create.

It’s not about the appearance of everything in our life being in order, but the heart being ordered to love.

It’s not about having all the answers, but believing God does, and will thus guide us.

It’s not about just loving our Savior, but opening our hearts to accept His love as well.

It’s about trusting in the goodness and faithfulness of God.

Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift! 2 Corinthians 9:15

Lord, help us to surrender our will to you.  May each one of us, and all of our families be open to believing in you, adoring you, trusting in you, and loving you.  In humble prayer, we ask pardon for those who don’t yet believe in you, adore you, trust in you, or love you.  Please bless and protect all of our families and shower us with your amazing grace. With complete trust in your mercy and love, we pray.  Amen.

Peace, Joy, and Love,

Janet

Share the Hope. Share the Joy.  Share the Love.  Pass it on!  

Pray for Marriages (The Untold Christmas Story)

Greetings Prayer Angels,

Christmas is almost here. Can you feel it?  Did they feel it over 2 millenniums ago?  Did they have any idea what was to come that dark, cold night?  They may not have been dreaming of Santa, but someone had been busy for months in their carpenter’s shop, pondering the greatest gift that he was to ensure delivery of.  He HAD to be ready.  A gift so unfathomable, that it would change everyone forever.  His wife, never in the limelight, sustained him with her unwavering love.  With a twinkle in her eye, she assured him that she had done her part in the preparation.   As they exchanged knowing glances, they knew that yes, this Gift could be delivered to all in just one night.  The love of Mary and Joseph was only a foreshadowing of the Love that they were to give birth to.  On that silent night, they were heard to exclaim, Ho-ly, Ho-ly, Ho-ly!!!

“Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts! All the earth is filled with his glory!” Isaiah 6:3

The angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For today in the city of David a savior has been born for you who is Messiah and Lord.   

Luke 2:10-11

Open your hearts this Christmas and accept the Gift that is freely given.  Love and Mercy will heal all.  Allow Love to more deeply enter your marriage.  From there it will flow to your family.  It is the Gift that keeps on giving.

May Peace descend upon your household,

May Joy overflow from your heart, and

May Love be the spark that unites, renews, or heals all your relationships,

Praying that your blessings be abundant this Christmas!

Janet

Share the Gift of Love.  Pass it on! 

Pray for Families (Baby Steps)

Greetings Prayer Angels,

Admittedly, babies fascinate me.  I find myself drawn to watching every move of an infant.  They are so sweet, pure, and innocent.  Their love is totally unconditional. The smile of an infant, when directed at you, can jolt your beating heart into rhythms of joy.   Perhaps that is why Christ chose to be clothed with human flesh and come as a non-threatening baby; in hopes that we too might be drawn to Him, we too might experience His unconditional love, and we too might understand that He needs our love as well.

Imagine gazing into the face Baby Jesus.  Overcome with joy, your heart skips a beat.  He smiles with delight at your attention.  He reaches out His little hand.  With some hesitancy, you commit your pinkie.  Baby steps.

And this will be a sign for you: you will find an infant wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel, praising God and saying: “Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” 

Luke: 2:12-14

This Christmas take a step closer.  Pray and encourage your family members to follow your lead.  May you not only trust Him, but entrust yourselves to Him.  Give Him the only gift He’s ever wanted: YOU!

Peace, Joy, and Love,

Janet

Take a baby step.  Pass it on! 

Pray for Marriages (Illuminate the Darkness)

Greetings Prayer Warriors,

When one is in a fractured marriage, the holidays can be very difficult.  Rather than feeling merry, one can be overcome by sadness.  Whether surrounded by friends and relatives or just the company of one’s spouse, one can feel profound loneliness.   Among the bright festive lights, one can feel in complete darkness. 

Let us turn to the Christmas story and ponder the faith of Mary and Joseph as they pondered what was to come.  Living in poverty, being left in the dark about how, when, and where Mary would give birth to our Savior had to have been extremely stressful on them, especially Joseph who was to be her protector.  But by the light of their faith, with deep trust in the Heavenly Father, Light burst forth into their darkness, changed their world, and changed our world forever.   Could either of them ever have imagined the power of their “yes”?

What came to be through him was life, and this life was the light of the human race; the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. John 1:4-5

Let us pray for those marriages dwelling in darkness.  May they be given the faith to persevere and believe that eventually the Light will illumine their darkness too.  May their blessings be abundant, for the power of their “yes” may change our world  too, one marriage at a time. 

Peace, Joy, and Love,

Janet

Illumine someone’s darkness.  Pass it on! 

Pray for Families (Peace of Heart)

Greetings Prayer Warriors,

The best gift you can give your family is staying calm and peaceful by focusing on the reason for the season.  Let prayer keep you focused.  Let Him bring your peace. 

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

Pray for your families, that they too may experience His peace during Advent.

Peace, Joy, and Love,

Janet

Pass along a path to peace of mind.  Share this with a friend.

Pray for Marriages (Convicted of Love)

Greetings Prayer Warriors,

Sometimes you hear something and it just grabs you.  While at church on Sunday, the priest quoted someone as saying, “If you were on trial for being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict you?

Take some time to ponder how, or even if you are a living witness of your Christianity.

In marriage, if both or even one spouse fully lived their Christian faith, would divorce be so common?  Would you be convicted in divorce court of loving too much?

I am reminded of the song refrain, “And they’ll know we are Christians by our love, by our love; they will know we are Christians by our love!”

So by their fruits you will know them. Matthew 7:20

Lord, teach us to love, as you love.  Help restore and strengthen marital unity. Give us the grace needed to guard each other’s dignity and approach each other with humility. By the power of the Holy Spirit, may we grow in love, generosity, joy, gentleness, peace, faithfulness, patience, kindness, self-control, goodness, chastity, and modesty.  Breathe new life into our marriages and those we pray for.  Jesus we trust in you!  Amen!

Peace, Joy, and Love,

Janet

Help someone to be convicted! Pass it on!  

Pray for Families (Trust and Surrender)

Greetings Prayer Warriors,

As the first week of Advent draws to a close, do not be discouraged that you may have already fallen behind on your Advent commitments.   Stop stressing about the “obligations” of Christmas and instead, with new resolve and grace from above, carve out some quiet time with the Lord.  

Contemplate the events leading up to the birth of Christ.   Invite your family into contemplation with you.  The Blessed Virgin Mary, 8 ½ months pregnant, traveled a long distance from home, comfort and security, not knowing what the next few weeks would bring.  Contemplate her total trust in God and her complete surrender to His will.   Use these events to begin discussions within your family.

Lord, help us trust you more!  May we begin by surrendering to your holy will.   Loosen our grip on all that prevents us from holding on to you!  Guide and bless our families that by trusting in your more completely, we may all experience your peace, joy, and love!  Inspired by Mary’s trust and total surrender, with newfound confidence we pray:

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

Peace, Joy, and Love,

Janet

Pass on a path to Him.  Pass it on!