Pray for Families (Blossoming Transformation)

Greetings Prayer Warriors,

As another year comes to a close, I’ve been reflecting about the wisdom of family (from a parent’s perspective). When one has their first child, besides the resulting joy, it suddenly confines you. Your life changes drastically and you feel like your former self is disappearing. Fast-forward a decade or so and regardless of how many children you have, parenthood now very much defines you. You are your child’s/children’s mom or dad, and you feel a deep love and responsibility toward them.

Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up with the training and instruction of the Lord. Ephesians 6:4

Train the young in the way they should go; even when old, they will not swerve from it. Proverbs 22:6

As the years progress and you have young adults, you find that parenting soon refines you. You realize that prayer paid off in different ways, especially in the fruit of the Spirit: patience, love, kindness, and self-control of your tongue….

What you really want to repeat to the often times deaf ears of your independent adult children is:

My son [child], do not forget my teaching, take to heart my commands; For many days, and years of life, and peace, will they bring you. Do not let love and fidelity forsake you; bind them around your neck; write them on the tablet of your heart. Then will you win favor and esteem before God and human beings. Trust in the LORD with all your heart, on your own intelligence do not rely; In all your ways be mindful of him, and he will make straight your paths. Do not be wise in your own eyes, fear the LORD and turn away from evil; Proverbs 3:1-7

As your nest empties, you realize that while you were busy trying to form your children, the Lord was really transforming you. 

She will be saved through motherhood, provided women persevere in faith and love and holiness, with self-control.  1Timothy 2:15

Keep on praying for your family.  The petals of your prayers may bloom in surprising ways. Keep the faith!

Peace, Joy, and Love,

Janet

Encourage others to persevere in prayer. Pass it on!

Pray for Marriages (The first Christmas)

 Merry Christmas!  

Greetings Prayer Warriors,

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 

Let us take a few moments to reflect on the first Christmas:

·      A couple pledged to one another and united through the gift of marriage

·      The fruit of their spiritual union, a baby boy who would save all of mankind.

·      The witness of this Holy Family on trusting God, total surrender, selflessness, humility, perseverance, loving unconditionally, and redemptive suffering.

Continue to contemplate the first Christmas.  Then continue spending the day celebrating Christmas with your family and loved ones.  That is prayer in action.

May your peace be penetrating,

May love fill the hearts of your family,

May your joy be abundant now, and throughout the New Year,

Merry Christmas!

Janet

He is our gift. Pass on this gift of knowing Him to others!

Pray for Families (The Gift)

Greetings Prayer Warriors,

Silent Night

The family quiets from the bustle…

Holy Night

They all unite in prayer…

All is calm

As prayer brings on a deep peace…

All is bright

The darkness of our worries dissipates…

Round yon virgin, Mother and child

As we anticipate the celebration of our Christ’s birth, gather your family around, as a mother holds her children close, even if it’s just in your heart.  Pray that each child, whether young or old, will be open to the gift of our Savior.

Holy Infant, so tender and mild.

His sweet, disarming gift of self, began in a family and radiated outward. Thus it is within a family that we learn that giving of oneself is the greatest gift. 

Sleep in heavenly peace.  Sleep in heavenly peace.

“Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” Luke 2:14

This Christmas, may you and your family experience the depth of His heavenly peace, rest in His ove, and find joy in the gift of each other.

With Peace, Love, and Joy,

Janet

Be generous with your gift-giving.  Pass it on! 

Pray for Marriages (Blessings in Disguise)

Greetings Prayer Warriors,

When things are going well in your marriage, remember to:

Pray without ceasing.

In all circumstances give thanks,

 For this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus.

1 Thessalonians 5:17-18

When things are veering off course in your marriage, remember to:

Pray without ceasing.

In all circumstances give thanks,

 For this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus.  

1 Thessalonians 5:17-18

For it is God who brings you both trials and blessings.

If the Lord does not build the house, in vain do its builders labor. Psalm 127:1

Come Lord Jesus, dwell in our homes and bless our marriages. Transform our minds so that we may look at trials as a special opportunity to grow closer to you.  Conform our hearts to yours, so that we may rejoice in you always, pray without ceasing, and in all circumstances give thanks.

Peace, Joy, and Love,

Janet

Find the blessing in all circumstances. Pass it on! 

Pray for Families (Peace and Patience)

Greetings Prayer Warriors,

With Christmas rapidly approaching (or at least it feels that way if your to-do list is still long like mine) I will pray that each of you receives the gifts of peace and patience.  As stress rises, patience decreases.  Christmas is not about hustle and bustle, but the unwrapping of Christ’s gift of peace.

May the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way.  Let the peace of Christ control your hearts, the peace into which you were also called in one body. And be thankful. 2Thessalonians 3:16; Colossians 3:15

Nothing horrible happens if your Christmas cards, gifts, etc. arrive after Christmas day, as there are 12 days of Christmas.  Slow down and focus on what really matters during Advent: preparing your heart for Jesus, your Savior.

‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths.’ Matthew 3:3

Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners… so that in me, as the foremost, Christ Jesus might display all his patience as an example for those who would come to believe in him for everlasting life.  1 Timothy 1:15-16

Be a pillar of peace and patience in your home.  Then pray that your family receives these same gifts.  Think about it: Praying for your family is more important than buying something for them!

Peace, Joy, and Love,
Janet

Peace and patience.  If you hold these close you will undoubtedly pass them on! https://simplyinspiredprayer.blogspot.com

Pray for Families (Peace and Patience)

Greetings Prayer Warriors,

With Christmas rapidly approaching (or at least it feels that way if your to-do list is still long like mine) I will pray that each of you receives the gifts of peace and patience.  As stress rises, patience decreases.  Christmas is not about hustle and bustle, but the unwrapping of Christ’s gift of peace.

May the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way.  Let the peace of Christ control your hearts, the peace into which you were also called in one body. And be thankful. 

2 Thessalonians 3:16; Colossians 3:15

Nothing horrible happens if your Christmas cards, gifts, etc. arrive after Christmas day, as there are 12 days of Christmas.  Slow down and focus on what really matters during Advent: preparing your heart for Jesus, your Savior.

‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths.’ Matthew 3:3

Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners…so that in me, as the foremost, Christ Jesus might display all his patience as an example for those who would come to believe in him for everlasting life.  

1 Timothy 1:15-16

Be a pillar of peace and patience in your home.  Then pray that your family receives these same gifts.  Think about it: Praying for your family is more important than buying something for them!

Peace, Joy, and Love,
Janet

Peace and patience.  If you hold these close you will undoubtedly pass them on! 

Pray for Marriages (Loving Past the Façade)

Greetings Prayer Warriors,

Reality competition shows are my secret pleasure. I love the rawness of humanity when all the facades drop and you see someone for who they really are. They seem to be more lovable as they become more vulnerable.

In contrast, the Lord always sees us for who we are.  Even at our worst, He doesn’t love us any less.  The Lord doesn’t want us to put on a facade for Him but rather acknowledge our vulnerability and weakness with a sincere and contrite heart. When you pray with humility, He listens, as this inversely praises Him for His power and strength. 

Say to the fearful of heart: Be strong, do not fear! Here is your God. 

Isaiah 35:4

The Lord loves you unconditionally, for you are His beloved child.  So is your spouse. When we imitate Christ, we must love others as He does. Pray that you can be all the Lord has called you to be within your marriage. Then pray that your spouse too can be who they were called to be within your marriage. Finally, ask Him to change you first.

“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. Matthew 7:7

Lord, hear our prayers!

Peace, Joy, and Love,

Janet

The reality is, we all need Him in our marriage. Come Lord, make has to help us! Isn’t that worth passing on?! 

Pray for Families (Blessings Worth Treasuring)

Greetings Prayer Warriors,

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavens in Christ, just as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, so that we would be holy and immaculate in his sight. Ephesians 1:3-4

Blessed are you. You are chosen! Now is the perfect time to ponder all the ways the Lord has blessed you non-materially. What has the Lord done for you than makes your heart burst with gratitude? Who or what are the true treasures in your life that have enriched it immeasurably?  

On the news recently was a clip regarding the widespread California wildfires. The story highlighted a firefighter, who battled multiple blazes only to find out his own home burned down. He and his wife went to view the remains of their home. The wife explained her emotional state perfectly. “‘All this”, she said gesturing to the former site of her home filled with possessions, “can be replaced. My husband cannot. Thus the loss of him is what would have been unbearable.”

I know indeed how to live in humble circumstances; I know also how to live with abundance. In every circumstance and in all things I have learned the secret of being well fed and of going hungry, of living in abundance and of being in need. I have the strength for everything through him who empowers me. Philippians 4:12-13

While we all have trials in our lives, let us pray for those being crushed by them, especially family members. Then praise God for all that is good.  

Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Philippians 4:8

Peace, Joy, and Love,

Janet

When you feel the heat in life, the Lord is right beside you.  That’s worth sharing, so pass it on!