Pray for Families (Seeking only Him)

 Greetings Prayer Warriors,

As we go through life working and toiling, we often want someone to notice.  So as we look to see if eyes are upon us, family members can seem oblivious, employers can take our extra efforts for granted, and friends, well thank God for them because they are more likely to appreciate us!

The hardest part though is that the Lord doesn’t want us to seek recognition, applause, praise, and admiration.  He doesn’t want us to scream to the world, or even our family, “Look at me, look at me!  Look at what I am doing; look at what I have accomplished!”  Not seeking kudos and thank you’s for everything we do can be the most difficult part though, especially once we realize this will require “dying to self”. However, we must be content that the Lord does see all and IS looking at us-- all the time!

When I struggle, I like to remind myself that the Lord loves me so much that He died for me.  For ME!   What could be better than that kind of love and attention?

May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and to the endurance of Christ.  2 Thessalonians 3:5

Spend some time in prayer contemplating how much the Lord loves YOU. Pray that you may not seek earthly rewards. Take some time to acknowledge someone for what they do. Then pray for each member of your family, that they may come to know how much God truly loves them.

We have come to know and to believe in the love God has for us. God is love, and whoever remains in love remains in God and God in him. 

1 John 4:16

Peace, Joy, and Love,

Janet

Bask in His love.  Pass it on! 

Pray for Marriages (A Prayer of Encouragement)

Greetings Prayer Warriors,

Encouragement is such a simple yet beautiful gift.  I share this with you for your own edification or to pass along to someone who may benefit from my prayer from scripture.

Peace to this household! Luke 10:5

If a house is divided against itself, that house will not be able to stand.
Mark 3:25

Take courage, it is I. Do not be afraid! Mark 6:50

Be still and know that I am God! Psalm 46:11

Love one another with mutual affection; anticipate one another in showing honor. Romans 12:10

The one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. 

1 John 4:4

Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for your selves. Matthew 11:28-29

With age-old love I have loved you; so I have kept my mercy toward you. Jeremiah 31:3

Trust in his goodness and mercy. Our constant prayers for you will rise to the heavens and healing grace will fall softly upon you.

Peace, Joy, and Love,

Janet

Prayer sustains, uplifts, and renews the spirit like nothing else. Pass it on!  

Pray for Families (Coming Home)

Greetings Prayer Warriors,

The story prodigal son has always been a most confusing parable to me.  Why does the “bad son” get the banquet, the big glorious party?   However, if one really contemplates how a father can welcome home a wayward child, just look at that father as the Father in heaven.  Then should we not rejoice in knowing that we still may be received with open arms and tears of joy!  Are we really not, at least in some way a bit like the prodigal son, seeking first to self-satisfy?

I will put my laws in their minds and I will write them upon their hearts. I will be their God, and they shall be my people.  Hebrews 8:10

Like the prodigal son, we are all on a journey of seeking.   Through the gifts of our baptism, we slowly move from becoming completely self-absorbed and intrinsically focused to being extrinsically focused on the needs of others.  Through the laws placed within our hearts and the promptings of the Holy Spirit, we slowly find our way back home, a way out of ourselves. It is there we will find true joy and true peace.  Is that not a cause for celebration?

When he arrived and saw the grace of God, he rejoiced and encouraged them all to remain faithful to the Lord in firmness of heart. Acts 11:23

As we intercede in prayer for families, let us ask that all hearts and minds look outward and upward, living a life for others and for the praise and glory of His name.

Peace, Joy, and Love,

Janet

Bring a prodigal son or daughter home.  Pass it on! 

Pray for Marriages (Guardians of Life)

Greetings Prayer Warriors,

You formed my inmost being; you knit me in my mother’s womb. I praise you, because I am wonderfully made; wonderful are your works! My very self you know.  Psalm 139: 13-14

Our loving Creator, labored over the perfect design of each one of us.  From our eyes, hair, and skin color to our temperament, every detail he decided.  Then he chose the purpose of our life and gave us a name.  You were and are so precious to Him! 

Yet, we struggle as individuals and as a nation.  Abortions increase, euthanasia is legal in many states, and Martin Luther King’s dream has yet to come to fruition. Abraham Lincoln abolished slavery long ago, yet human trafficking is alive and well.   We each claim to be free, but remain enslaved in so many other ways.

“If you remain in my word, you will truly be my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” John 8:31-32

On January 22, 1984, President Ronald Reagan signed a proclamation*, making that day “National Sanctity of Human Life Day”.  In it he stated: 

We are poorer not simply for lives not led and for contributions not made, but also for the erosion of our sense of the worth and dignity of every individual. To diminish the value of one category of human life is to diminish us all. Slavery, which treated Blacks as something less than human, to be bought and sold if convenient, cheapened human life and mocked our dedication to the freedom and equality of all men and women. Can we say that abortion -- which treats the unborn as something less than human, to be destroyed if convenient -- will be less corrosive to the values we hold dear?

We each are called to be the guardians of life.  However parents are specifically called to guard and guide the physical, emotional, & spiritual lives of their children.

Pray for marriages, as this sacramental framework provides the strongest protection of life.  Pray for our nation, that marriage will be protected as God instituted it.  Pray that we become/remain open to loving everyone regardless of race, color, or creed, and that as Christians we treat all with dignity and respect.

They’ll know we are Christians by our love and our prayers.

Peace, Joy, and Love,

Janet

Love God by loving the lives He's created.  Pass it on! 

*To read this beautiful proclamation, #5147, follow the link.

http://www.reagan.utexas.edu/archives/speeches/1984/11384c.htm

Pray for Families (Worry-free, peace-filled)

Greetings Prayer Warriors,

How much time do you spend worrying?  Do you worry about family, friends, finances, and the future?  Will our kids be safe when out with their friends? Will our children be able to afford college?   Can we afford the repairs on the car?  Will we ever be able to retire?  Should I correct a wayward friend/family member? How can I manage to take care of my parents and my kids?  The list goes on.  But what have you gained from all that worry?

Can any of you by worrying add a moment to your lifespan? If even the smallest things are beyond your control, why are you anxious about the rest? Luke 12:25-26

Do not worry about tomorrow; tomorrow will take care of itself. Sufficient for a day is its own evil. Matthew 6:34

Be strong and steadfast; have no fear or dread of them, for it is the LORD, your God, who marches with you; he will never fail you or forsake you. Deuteronomy 31:6

Do not be afraid. Go on speaking, and do not be silent, for I am with you. Acts 18:9

Worry time does not give us peace, but prayer time does.  When you find yourself sinking into worry, raise up your voice in prayer.  Prayer will increase your trust in God and His promises.

Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God. Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7

Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid. John 14:27

Peace begins within the heart of each of us when we let God in and allow Him to rule over our lives.  From there, great love will grow.  Let us pray for each other and all the world, that all will come to seek and know His peace.

Peace, Joy, and Love,

Janet

Pass along the path to peace…prayer.  Share it with everyone!

Pray for Marriages (Conquering the Evil One)

Greetings Prayer Warriors,

We know marriage is something very special, because God instituted marriage in the beginning of humanity as a way to show Adam and Eve His love for them.  After receiving this gift, they were in turn asked to share it with each other.  Both unitive and procreative, marriage brought forth children. The family then became the classroom to learn about God and love.

Is it any surprise then that marriage was the very first thing that Satan attacked?  Should we be at all surprised that marriage continues to be under attack?  You only have to open your eyes to see a marriage, perhaps even your own, struggling or crumbling.   Is it a lack of love, or perhaps a lack of faith? Even Adam and Eve didn’t believe the promises of God and thus easily followed the advice of the Evil One.  Their sin brought discord into their lives. Today’s culture is still under the influence of the Evil One, as our sin opens the door for him to enter our lives.  Influenced by him, couples divorce with hopes of more control, more love, and more happiness.

But evils surround me until they cannot be counted. My sins overtake me, so that I can no longer see. They are more numerous than the hairs of my head; my courage fails me. LORD, graciously rescue me!  Come quickly to help me, LORD!  Psalm 40:13-14

My friends, my dear prayer angels, continue to fight this battle through prayer for one another, and all marriages.  The Lord awaits us all with His mercy and love.  Pray that the gift of unshakable faith be poured into hearts, providing for all the will to persevere through the storms of life.  Pray that good marriages stay strong, so they remain beacons of hope for the weary.

Send out your breath and life begins; you renew the face of the earth.  Psalm 104:30

For whoever is begotten by God conquers the world. And the victory that conquers the world is our faith.  1 John 5:4

Peace, Joy, and Love,

Janet

We are not alone! Gather others in prayer and build an army of Love!  Pass it on!  

Pray for Families (Understanding the Family Tree)

Greetings Prayer Warriors,

God’s divine plan is so much more expansive than our minds can fathom. Day to day, His plan usually doesn’t seem to make much sense to us but then suddenly, we get a glimpse. 

We’ve all heard of the term, family tree.  I was pondering the term in light of God’s great design for the continuation and development of humanity, when the symbolism suddenly struck me.

God knew marriage and family would be important building blocks of society and that they would need a strong foundation, Love. So Love Himself became the roots of the tree, holding up the trunk, (the marriage bond). Strong faith allows the roots to grow deeply, securing the tree. In time, branches (children) may begin to grow, bringing beauty to the tree. When fed (by the sacraments) and tended to patiently (prayers) the tree flourishes and bears good fruit, (virtues). If the tree is not firmly rooted, the tree or some of its branches may die (lose faith) and need to be pruned. If the winds of change (our current culture) continue to blow upon the tree and it is not securely rooted (lack of faith) it can easily topple.

So, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, walk in him, rooted in him and built upon him and established in the faith as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving. See to it that no one captivate you with an empty, seductive philosophy according to human tradition, according to the elemental powers of the world and not according to Christ. Colossians 2:6-8

Looking at the current breakdown of families, we are seeing an increase in deforestation!  Please continue to pray for families, that each individual be given the gift of faith, the humility to be pruned, and the enduring hope that with love, even a seemingly bare tree will blossom. 

Peace, Joy, and Love,

Janet

See a tree?  For each one your see, say a prayer for a family!  Pass it on!