Pray for Marriages (Light and Hope)

Greetings Prayer Warriors,

I saw the Lord ever before me, with him at my right hand I shall not be disturbed.

Lord, let not the disturbances of our day distract us from acknowledging your presence ever before us. Bless our marriage and heal what is broken. You hear all the cries of our hearts.

Therefore my heart has been glad and my tongue has exulted;

Release us from all the sins of the flesh, be it lack of purity, pornography, gluttony, sloth, or sins of the heart such as self-love, envy, pride, greed, anger, or anything else that compromises the ability of our marriages to thrive.

My flesh, too, will dwell in hope, because you will not abandon my soul to the netherworld, nor will you suffer your holy one to see corruption. 

In you we can find healing, hope, unity, restoration, salvation, and joy. 

You have made known to me the paths of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence. Acts 2:25-28

Lord, we ask for a generosity of grace to save marriages, especially those advancing quickly to despair. Hear the prayers of your faithful prayer warriors, that the marriages of those they intercede for may become beacons of your light and examples of hope for all. 

Peace, Joy, and Love,
Janet

Praying blesses the recipient and the giver. Pass it on! 

Pray for Families (Unfathomable Love)

Good Friday

Greetings Prayer Warriors,

While listening to a talk on the necessity of mercy, I heard something like the following.  “What is the worst crime one can commit?”  I wasn’t expecting nor prepared for the answer the speaker gave. “Sin.  It always leads to death.” I paused to comprehend. The impact of my sin seemed to carry greater weight than I had ever let myself imagine. The speaker continued, “So there you are awaiting your death sentence for your crime when someone steps forward and says to the executioner, I will accept the punishment on his/her behalf.”  Unfathomable, but that is exactly what Jesus did for us.  He accepted the death sentence we each deserve that he might conquer death and offer us everlasting life. 

Like water my life drains away; all my bones are disjointed. My heart has become like wax, it melts away within me. As dry as a potsherd is my throat; my tongue cleaves to my palate; you lay me in the dust of death. Dogs surround me; a pack of evildoers closes in on me. They have pierced my hands and my feet I can count all my bones. They stare at me and gloat; they divide my garments among them; for my clothing they cast lots.  

Psalm 22:15-19

Spend some time today reflecting on Christ’s sacrifice on Calvary.  What price did he pay for you?  In thanksgiving and with a loving and merciful heart, pray for your family members and all their intentions today.  Then end your prayer time by praising the Lord’s merciful love! 

I will proclaim your name to my brethren; in the assembly I will praise you: “You who fear the LORD, give praise! Psalm 22:23-24

Peace, Joy, and Love,

Janet

Jesus paid a debt He didn't owe because it was at a price we couldn't pay. His love endures forever! Pass it on!

Pray for Marriages (Temperance)

Greetings Prayer Warriors,

Do you ever aspire to a virtuous life? It seems like a lofty goal when you look at the virtues:  Patience, kindness, chastity, temperance, charity, humility, & diligence.  Once married, these virtues seem to be even more challenging! It doesn’t take long to realize that to reach the summit, one needs sufficient grace!

For God did not give us a spirit of cowardice but rather of power and love and self-control. 2 Timothy 1:7

Let’s start by understanding the virtue of temperance.

tem·per·ance

Restraint. Constant mindfulness of others and one's surroundings; practicing self-control, abstinence, moderation and deferred gratification; Prudence to judge between actions with regard to appropriate actions at a given time.*

What effect would it have on marriages if each spouse grew in temperance? Everything is easier with prayer, so let’s come together asking the Lord to help marriages grow in temperance. 

For the grace of God has appeared, saving all and training us to reject godless ways and worldly desires and to live temperately, justly, and devoutly in this age, as we await the blessed hope, the appearance of the glory of the great God and of our savior Jesus Christ. Titus 2: 11-13

Peace, Joy, and Love,

Janet

Show no restraint in encouraging virtue or praying for marriages.  Pass it on!  

*adapted from Wiki

Pray for Families (Life'sTrials)

Greetings Prayer Warriors,

Did you ever receive an injustice as a child and when you complained about it to your parents, they responded, “Life’s not fair”. 

Life is a journey of trials and a trial of journeys. We each will go through our own mini-passion at some point in our lives.  There will always be the friend who says they love you, yet betrays you like Judas.  There will always be the “Pharisees and high priests” who try to convict you so that no one notices their sin.  There will be those like Pontius Pilate who remove themselves from the situation so that they can feel like their hands are clean. You may at times feel you are the sacrificial lamb, while you see others drop their shoulders in a sigh of relief that it wasn’t them.  Yet there will always be those faithful friends who stand with you at the foot of your cross.  They will support you, encourage you, cry with you, and reflect Christ’s love to you.  You will finally understand the importance of friends and family. The parents you were given and the family you were born into is a gift.  At times of trial, you most often can depend upon the loving support of your father, the prayerful pleas of your mother, and the encouragement of your siblings. 

Consider it all joy, my brothers, when you encounter various trials, for you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. And let perseverance be perfect, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. But if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God who gives to all generously and ungrudgingly, and he will be given it. James 1:2-5

We have much to learn by reflecting on Christ’s Passion.  As we enter Holy Week, while inserting yourself into the Passion of Christ and spend some time in meditation or contemplation.  Ask yourself, when have I been a Pharisee, a Pontius Pilate, or even a Simon of Cyrene who helped Jesus carry His cross?   Ask the Lord to help you see with new eyes, help you appreciate the beautiful gift of the Son, and how by submitting to the plan of the Father, you will be able to withstand any trial.  Know that without fail, you will have the heavenly gaze of the Father and the prayerful support of the Blessed Mother.  Finally, ask the Lord to protect the family unit, so that all will have the assurance of an earthly mother and father.

LORD, you are my Father, my champion, my savior! Sirach 51:10

Peace, Joy, and Love,

Janet

Jesus is Lord!  Pass it on! 

Pray for Marriages (Parental Unity)

 Greetings Prayer Warriors,

Nothing adds stress to a marriage like parenting!  Kids have a way of pushing your buttons and it’s not always easy to come to an agreement on how to best mold advise, or reprimand them.  Since no two people were parented exactly alike, opinions can differ from a little to a lot.  This can create parental conflict, creating a divide where ultimately unity is most needed. 

Do two journey together unless they have agreed? Amos 3:3

Please pray that couples can find a unity of thought in their parenting through open, honest communication.  Lord, may your grace encourage those who are discouraged. May it replace distrust with trust, anger with understanding, and word bullets with empathetic and mutual listening.

Be angry but do not sin; do not let the sun set on your anger, and do not leave room for the devil. Ephesians 4:26-27

Lord, create an indescribable unity within marriages so that as parents, each reflects your love, mercy, and justice.

May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to think in harmony with one another, in keeping with Christ Jesus.  Romans 15:5

Peace, Joy, and Love,

Janet

Pray for unity in marriages.  Pass it on! 

Pray for Families (Beloved Daughters of our Heavenly King)

Greetings Prayer Warriors,

Today I was talking to a friend whose son is a college freshman.  When we got to the topic of social life, my friend said her son laments he can’t find a “normal” girl.  Probing further, she relayed that on the weekends, most girls just “gave it all away”.  Her son was actually put off by this. I was saddened that so many girls had no sense of their own dignity, but also saddened by all the factors that contribute to girls not knowing their self-worth.  Thinking aloud I commented, “If only these girls realized that they were “daughters of the Most High King.   Perhaps their behavior and choices would change as they learned of their true dignity, beauty, and inheritance.

She is clothed with strength and dignity. Proverbs 31:25

Pray for our youth. Take the opportunity to let your daughters or other young women know their worth in the eyes of the Lord.  They are the crown jewel of His creation!  Beloved daughters of the King of Kings!

With enduring love I take pity on you, says the LORD, your redeemer. Though the mountains fall away and the hills be shaken, my love shall never fall away from you. Isaiah 54:8,10

Teach your sons to show respect to young women who may not even respect themselves.  Pray that your sons are not put to the test.  Pray, pray, pray!

Would that you might meet us doing right, that we might be mindful of you in our ways! LORD, you are our father; we are the clay and you our potter: we are all the work of your hand. Isaiah 64:4, 7

Peace, Joy, and Love,

Janet

Help to build up the King’s court.  Pass it on!

Pray for Marriages (Saved by Faith)

Greetings Prayer Warriors,

Nothing must be more beautiful to the Lord than one who trusts in Him.  Time after time in Scripture, we see how His heart is moved with compassion towards those who have great faith in His ability to heal...the body, mind, and soul.  When life’s road is long, hilly, rocky, and winding, our faith can be shaken.  When this happens, especially in your marriage, remember what Jesus so often said,

“Your faith has saved you; go in peace.” Luke 7:50

When you are weary, allow yourself to rest in Him. When you have stumbled or fallen, ask for His assistance. When you no longer know the road to take, call upon His name, and He will lead you. When you are immobilized by fear or doubt, ask that He carry you.  Most of all, know that you are not alone, and we prayer warriors are praying for you.

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 6:24-16

Peace, Joy, and Love,

Janet

Keep the faith.  Pass it on! 

Pray for Families (Love-A Most Pleasing Offering)

Greetings Prayer Warriors,

We are more than halfway through Lent and I imagine that many of you have given up something you love or are making different kinds of sacrifices.  Maybe you fall in neither of these categories.  Do not be disheartened.  As we move into the last few weeks of Lent, make a resolution to love more.

‘To love Him with all your heart, with all your understanding, with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself’ is worth more than all burnt offerings and sacrifices. Mark 12: 33

Don’t just love the lovable, but love the most unlovable. Don’t just love those who adore you, love those who despise you. Grow in Love by praying for those who have hurt you, betrayed you, or undermined you.   Pray for your entire family, that they too may grow in their ability to love all, in action, word, and deed.

The revelation of your words sheds light, gives understanding to the simple. I sigh with open mouth, yearning for your commandments. Turn to me and be gracious, according to your judgment for those who love your name. Steady my feet in accord with your promise; do not let iniquity lead me. Free me from human oppression, that I may observe your precepts. Let your face shine upon your servant; teach me your statutes.  Psalm 119: 130-135

Love never fails.  1 Corinthians 13:8

Peace, Joy, and Love,

Janet

Disarm someone with your unexpected love.  Pass it on! 

Pray for Marriages (Celebrate Differences)

Greeting Prayer Warriors,

Did you remember to pray for marriages on Monday?  It is rare when I don't send a Monday reminder out to all of you, but sometimes the Lord has other more urgent plans.  I found myself sitting in an ER for hours and hours (spoiler alert, everyone is okay). While I didn't have the time to write about marriage, I had plenty of time to contemplate it.  

Everyone knows opposites attract, but why is that? It is part of the Lord's wonderful plan.  Opposites balance out each other's strengths and weaknesses. Our gifts may vary, but together, we have everything we need.  Perhaps that's why the Lord makes husband and wife one in Holy Matrimony.  In Him and through Him, we are most blessed and complete.

Indeed we call blessed those who have persevered. James 5:11

Pray for your spouse or if unmarried pray for your future spouse, and then pray for all marriages, that each spouse may celebrate their differences, not argue about them.

Peace, Joy, and Love,

Janet

Celebrate each other’s diversity of God-given gifts. Pass it on!