Pray for Marriages (Change Me)

Greetings Prayer Warriors!

Many have heard men joking in regards to their spouse, “She’s my better half!” (It’s funny but I’ve never heard a woman say the same thing regarding her husband. I’m sure it happens though.) ;-) It's as if we instinctively know that marriage makes us one with our spouse. This is confirmed in the account of Adam and Eve, found in the book of Genesis.

“This one, at last, is bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; This one shall be called ‘woman,’ for out of man this one has been taken.” ……. and the two of them become one body. Genesis 2:23-24

He made them ONE. Ponder this. As we contemplate this oneness in marriage, it begs the question, why do we ever fight against our spouse/ourselves? Let us instead seek to be loving, kind, patient, understanding, and self-giving with our other half. Let us help them grow into who God has called them to be. And yes, let us admonish each other as appropriate, yet let us both seek positive change. Let us resolve not to argue, shun, hurt, shame, or distance our spouse who is a part of us. Let us look to the Lord for the grace necessary to love as He loved.

Lord teach us your ways! Make haste and heal us! Keep us one!

Then let us no longer judge one another, but rather resolve never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother. Romans 14:13

Lord make haste and change ME. Keep us one!

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

Peace, Joy, and Love,
Janet

Pray for a change; pray that it is in you. Pass it on. 

Pray for Families (Family Fitness)

Greetings Prayer Warriors!

So much energy is put into staying fit.  We ensure that our families exercise and eat healthy to stay physically fit.  We send family members to counselors as necessary to stay mentally and emotionally fit.  We read and do puzzles to keep our brain fit.  We get financial advisors to stay financially fit.  All this is great and to be admired, but not at the expense of one’s spiritual well being.

We are spiritual beings clothed in flesh.  When we die, our spirit and soul is what will live on through eternity, not our money, not our toned and tanned bodies, not our jewelry, cars, or designer labels. 

What are you doing to ensure that your family stays spiritually fit?   Family prayer?  Scripture study?  Church attendance?  Holy Day observances?  Reception of Sacraments?

Lent is a great time to do a spiritual inventory.  It’s not too late to begin a spiritual fitness program.  Like any fitness program start slowly until what you do becomes a habit, and then build upon that foundation.  For some it may be as simple as starting to say a family grace before meals.  For others, they may be ready for a spiritual marathon! 

For everyone who asks, receives; and the one who seeks, finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. Matthew 7:8

Say a prayer and ask the Lord to guide you and your family in a new/enhanced spiritual fitness routine.   Then pray for all families, that they too may grow spiritually fit. 

Peace, Joy, and Love,

Janet

Encourage fitness.  Pass it on!  

Pray for Families (Letting go of Control)

Greetings Prayer Warriors,

We as human beings always seem to want to be in control of our lives.  It seems like part of being human, right?  But if we claim a heavenly creator and identify ourselves as children of God, ask yourself, is it ever good for children to be in control?  At what point do we let go of our will and then trust and cooperate with the will of the Master?

Pondering the battle of the wills, the parable of the talents* kept coming to me. That parable is the story of the man who entrusted his possessions to his servants while he was away.  He entrusted them with a number of talents according to their abilities.  When he returned, he assessed what they did with those talents.  Two servants doubled the number of talents they were given; while one buried his talent and returned only what he was given. 

Then it hit me.  What if we substituted the word children for “talents”, the word “Lord” for Master, and ourselves as the “servants”.    While we think children are “ours”, they truly are our Master’s.  We are only the stewards of this wonderful gift during our earthly life.  To some He gives many children, and if the couple is open to life and trusts in their Master, they may receive many.  When tended to with patience and love, and with copious grace from above, these children will bear fruit for His kingdom, substantially increasing the value of His original gift.    To others, He gives only one or two children, according to their abilities, and with parental patience and love, and abundant grace from above, these too will bear fruit for His kingdom.  And to others He gives children, but due to abortion or contraception the couple refuses the gift and buries it, sending it back to God.  In essence, much like a child claiming that they control their lives.

I share this insight, only because Lent is a time of introspection, repentance, and forgiveness.  We are blessed with a very merciful and loving Lord.  Spend some quiet time in prayer asking for the light to see the times in your life where you tried to wrestle control from God.  Pray also for your family.  Seek forgiveness of your sins, the sins of your family, and generational sin. 

He shall pray and God will favor him; he shall see God’s face with rejoicing; for he restores a person’s righteousness. He shall sing before all and say, “I sinned and did wrong, yet I was not punished accordingly. He delivered me from passing to the pit, and my life sees light.” See, all these things God does, two, even three times, for a man, bringing back his soul from the pit to the light, in the light of the living.  Job 33:26-30

Then, on the day our Master returns, you will hear Him say,

Well done, my good and faithful servant…..Come, share your master’s joy. Matthew 25:21

Peace, Joy, and Love,

Janet

Lead someone into the light of repentance and forgiveness.  Pass it on.    

*Matthew 25:14-30

Pray for Marriages (An Irish Blessing)

Greetings Prayer Warriors!

In celebration of St. Patrick’s Day, I’d like to start by giving you an Irish Blessing:

(It’s Irish because I wrote it!)

May peace and joy engulf your heart,

When you share His love today

And may each prayer your pray for all

Bring blessings back each day.

As I pondered the subject of “blessings” Irish or otherwise, I asked myself, how often do we ask the Lord to bless our spouse?  If you are not married, how often do you ask the Lord to bless someone’s marriage?  The answer to both is, “Probably not enough!”   So today in prayer, ask for the Lord’s blessing on all marriages, while also spending some time praying for couples who are special to you.  Be inspired by the following Psalm, and if you like, change the pronouns to make it your prayer.

Find your delight in the LORD who will give you your heart’s desire. Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him and he will act and make your righteousness shine like the dawn, your justice like noonday. Be still before the LORD; wait for him.  Psalm 37:4-7

Keep praying!  He delights in your voice!

Peace, Joy, and Love,

Janet

Share a blessing. Pass it on! 

Pray for Families (Conversion of Heart)

Greetings Prayer Warriors!

The Lenten Season is a great time for self-reflection, which can be a difficult thing if we look deep enough.  I for one get much more enjoyment looking at everyone else’s faults, but I know that is just a wonderful avoidance mechanism!  ;) 

If you O Lord mark iniquities, who can stand? Psalm 130:3

However, looking in the mirror of our soul and reforming what is not of God can be quite healing if we both acknowledge our sins and open ourselves up to the infinite mercy of our Lord!

If a wicked man turns away from all his sins which he has committed and keeps all my statutes and does what is lawful and right, he shall surely live; he shall not die. None of the transgressions which he has committed shall be remembered against him; for the righteousness which he has done he shall live. Ezekiel 18:21-22

So great is this, that we would want the world to know, no?

Let us now pray for the conversion of hearts. First, for own, so that our lives may be a witness of His grace to others. Next, for family members, that they too may see the errors of their ways and conform their will to His. Finally, let us pray for all the children of God, that not even one will be lost.

For with the LORD is mercy, with him is plenteous redemption. 

Psalm 130:7

Now that’s something to celebrate!

Peace, Joy, and Love,
Janet

Share the hope of hearts made new! Pass it on!

Pray for Marriages (5 Minute Power-pray)

Greetings Prayer Warriors,

This Lent you may have decided to give up your favorite food or drink or conversely, you may have added something to your routine such as a daily devotion or time for the reading of scripture.  Or perhaps you are the procrastinator, still deciding on what to do for Lent.   Great news!  I have a simple idea that you can add to what you are doing already, or can use to end your procrastination/indecisiveness!  Consider a time of day you are doing a relatively mindless activity, be it showering, washing dishes, waiting on hold, driving to work, or playing chauffeur.  Spend those 5 minutes praying for your spouse if you are married, or if you are single, praying for a couple in need.  Will you commit to spending just 5 minutes daily in power-packed prayer?

See that no one returns evil for evil; rather, always seek what is good [both] for each other and for all. Rejoice always. Pray without ceasing. 1 Thessalonians 5:15-17

Regard kindly the prayer and petition of your servant, LORD, my God, and listen to the cry of supplication which I, your servant, utter before you this day. 1 Kings 8:28

AMEN!!!

Peace be upon your household, may
Joy keep soft your heart, and may His
Love be poured out daily through your prayers,
Janet

Promote good Lenten prayer practices. Pass it on! 

Pray for Families (Surrender ________!)

Greetings Prayer Warriors,

This week, the word “surrender” kept coming to my mind.  Visually, all I could see was the Wicked Witch of the West flying through the sky laughing at me and writing, “Surrender Janet”!

In the material world, surrender is viewed as a horrible thing—a sign of defeat, weakness, and humiliation.  In the spiritual world however, the Lord is continually calling us to a willful surrender to Him.  This is not to humiliate us, but to humble us that we might acknowledge our weakness and His strength.   The ironic thing is that in surrendering our will to His, the only thing being defeated is our sin.  We in turn are raised up, brought to a new spiritual life in Him.   Rather than feeling like a prisoner, one instead finally feels set free.

Behold, I come to do your will, O God. Hebrews 10:7

As you enter into this Lenten season, commit to a gradual surrender to His will, beginning with family interactions.  What do you need to surrender first?  Your…

• Sarcasm?
• Criticism?
• Defensiveness?
• Sharp tongue?
• Boastfulness?
• Demeaning tone?
• Self-centeredness?
• Excessive Pride?
• Self-righteousness?
• Other?

Obedience is better than sacrifice. 1 Samuel 15:22

Pray for your surrender, pray for obedience.  Pray for each family member’s surrender.  Pray for their obedience. 

May he draw our hearts to himself that we may walk in his ways and keep the commands, statutes, and ordinances that he enjoined on our ancestors. 1 Kings 8:58

Peace, Love, and Joy,

Janet

Surrender your apathy, then pass it on!  

Pray for Marriages (The 3 C’s)

Greetings Prayer Warriors,

It’s said that the success of a business is all about location, location, location.  I say the success of a marriage is all about communication, communication, communication. 

1. Communication with God.  Are you praying for your spouse and your marriage? Are you praying to know is His Will in your marriage?  
2. Communication with your spouse.  Are you actively listening to communicate your love?  Is your communication consistent in action, word, and deed? 
3. Communication with yourself.  Are you being honest with yourself as you evaluate your words said, deeds done, and actions toward your spouse each day?  Are they in line with the will of God?

Speak, LORD, for your servant is listening. 1 Samuel 3:9

Unfortunately, nothing is as easy as it seems, but the first step is well, taking the first step! 

As our commitment to support marriages continues, let’s pray that more couples this week will take the first step, whatever that may be, in improving their marriages. Let’s pray that those who feel like giving up, instead look up and kneel down. 

I shall sing of your strength, extol your mercy at dawn, for you are my fortress, my refuge in time of trouble. Psalm 59:70

Peace, Joy, and Love,

Janet

Take a small step.  Pass it on!