Pray for Families (The Visitation)

Greetings Prayer Warriors,

This time of year brings a flurry of travel for family events such as graduations, weddings, and vacations.   While such gatherings may allow you to see lots of people, they aren’t easily conducive to “visiting”, or any in-depth conversation.

Today I learned the difference between a visit and a visitation, and I want to share it.  A visitation, “aims to accomplish something; it is an encounter that carries within it a meaning that is exceptional.”   I like to think of it as a meeting of hearts.  An exchange that can be verbal or non-verbal, but it leaves the other feeling loved.

Let love be genuine. Hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good; love one another with brotherly affection; outdo one another in showing honor.  Bless those who persecute you, bless and do not curse them.  Rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep.  Romans 12: 9-10, 14-15

Make each family encounter a visitation.  Allow the love of Christ to radiate through you.

Rejoice in your hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer*.  Romans 12:12

*Especially for families!

Peace, Joy, and Love,

Janet

Share the love. Pass it on!  

Memorial Day: Pray for Marriages (Soothing Balm)

Greetings Prayer Warriors,

Your prayers uplift so many.  Imagine each one as a soothing balm to an aching heart.

Today as we honor all those who have lost their lives serving in the Armed Forces, we also honor the spouses and families left behind.  Today, let us pray not only for those who have died, but also the marriages destroyed by war, whether it was a physical, emotional, or spiritual death.

For the spouse crushed by the death of their beloved, Lord comfort, heal, and restore their shattered lives.

For the couple whose relationship withered and choked in the emotional weeds of battle, Lord renew their love.

For the husband or wife, who lost their faith and hope, and let go of Love, bring them back to life in You.

Blessed are they who mourn, for they will be comforted.  Matthew 5:4

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff comfort me.  Psalm 23:4

In honor of all those who have died in service to our country we pray:

Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.

Peace, Joy, and Love,

Janet

Pray is a healing balm.  Increase the healing. Pass it on.  

Pray for Families (Grace Outpoured)

Greetings Dear Warriors,

In our youth we think we control our lives completely, but with maturity we come to realize that control is an illusion, the Creator has a master plan.  All we control is our God–given free will and thus our decision to cooperate with His grace or reject it.

So let us confidently approach the throne of grace to receive mercy and to find grace for timely help.  Hebrews 4:16

When we encounter a loved one moving in a negative direction or making harmful choices, it is extremely difficult to watch.  Let us pray today for a larger outpouring of grace upon all of our families.  Lord, enlighten their hearts and minds so they might choose to conform to your will! 

Peace, Joy, and Love,

Janet

May all who pray be richly blessed!  Pass it on!

Pray for Marriages (Power of love)

Greetings Incognito Prayer Warrior,

Pssst.   Yes YOU.  Can we talk?  Have you ever just not been in the mood to be loving, kind, and self-less especially in regards to your spouse?  You don’t have to be honest with me, just yourself.  Hmmm.  I suppose Jesus also had days that he had great difficulty being kind, but loved because it was the will of the Father.  Loved, because he knew the power sacrificial love had to change hearts.  Loved, because there was so much to lose by not loving.

God in the beginning created human beings and made them subject to their own free choice. If you choose, you can keep the commandments; loyalty is doing the will of God.  Set before you are fire and water; to whatever you choose, stretch out your hand. Before everyone are life and death, whichever they choose will be given them. Sirach 15:14-17

Pssst.  Perhaps we need to pray more so we can love more like Jesus did and does.  Perhaps we should also pray that we come to know and accept the will of the Father.  Let’s pray for others as well, okay?  It’s easier to pray when we have committed to someone else that we’ll pray with them and for them, even if it’s just a virtual gathering.  Hey, why don’t we invite more people to this virtual prayer party?  Pass it on…..

Peace , Joy J, and Love,

Janet

The more prayer angels, the merrier the saints are.  Pass it on!  

Pray for Families (Spiritual Compass)

Greetings Prayer Warriors,

Every generation must exclaim, “What a crazy world we live in!”  Yet when we examine what the issues were at different points in history, no matter if they were legal, moral, societal, political, they don’t seem so bad now.  Is that good or have we been desensitized over time?

True or False: Everything that is legal is beneficial to both you and others.

True or False:  If it is legal, it must be for your edification as well as that of others.

True or False:  If everybody does it, then it’s acceptable and no one can be hurt by it. 

 “Everything is lawful,” but not everything is beneficial. “Everything is lawful,” but not everything builds up.  No one should seek his own advantage, but that of his neighbor.  1 Cor 10:23-24

The answers may seem obvious, but they depend upon who your compass is.  You are either following Christ and His teachings or you are not.  And if you are not walking with Him or toward Him, guess whom you are walking toward!

But when he comes, the Spirit of truth, he will guide you to all truth.  

John 16:13

Centered in Christ, guided by the Spirit, our behavior can be a compass for others, especially family members. Continue to pray for them, audibly, in silence, and by your actions.  Then pray for yourself, that you may be given the grace to remain centered in Him.

Peace, Joy, and Love,

Janet

Guide others to the Truth by your prayer and example.  Pass it on! 

Pray for Marriages (Imitating Christ’s Love)

Greetings Prayer Warriors,

I remember when I got married decades ago.  It was necessary to book the church well in advance to get your desired date.  Today, there is no wait because church weddings are now the exception not the rule.  Christ literally has been kicked to the curb.  Aren’t couples forgetting something?

Consider the following, which I recently read:

The most profound thing about a Christian sacramental marriage is the couple’s knowledge that: “We are a living image of the love between Christ and the Church.”

That is a love that is lifelong, self-giving, faithful, steadfast and sacrificial.  It’s beautiful love, and a holy ideal. Consider the societal impact if everyone loved his /her spouse in this way.  What Light it would cast into the world!

I will betroth you to me forever: I will betroth you to me with justice and with judgment, with loyalty and with compassion; I will betroth you to me with fidelity, and you shall know the LORD.  Hosea 2: 21-22

But we are weak, which is exactly the reason we need Him!  Thus, we persevere in prayer for all marriages, that they may be strengthened, uplifted, and built on Christ.

Peace, Joy, and Love,

Janet

Imitate steadfastness. Pass it on!