Pray for Marriages (Crushing Crosses)

Greetings Prayer Warriors,

The Lord “blesses” each marriage with its own unique cross. Crosses range from the burden of infidelity, chronic illnesses, physical and emotional abandonment, verbal abuse, apathy, disagreements over children, and so on.

As Servant of God Dorothy Day so accurately states regarding being a Christian, “We must love to the point of folly and we are indeed fools as the Lord himself was, who died for such a one as this.”

These crosses are not light and often we feel crushed by them. But even Jesus did not walk alone with the cross.  He so beautifully witnessed that no one is to be left alone with his cross. For on the Via Dolorosa, it was our cross He was carrying, not His. When Simon was called upon to help Jesus, I imagine he locked eyes with Jesus, and immediately sensed that Jesus was actually helping him/us with his/our cross.

Yet it was our pain that he bore, our sufferings he endured. We thought of him as stricken, struck down by God^* and afflicted, But he was pierced for our sins, crushed for our iniquity. He bore the punishment that makes us whole, by his wounds we were healed.  Isaiah 53:4-5

For isn’t that which is crushed, more open, more tender?  Perhaps it is then that we become clay for the Potter.

Continue to support each other in prayer, which strengthens the cross-bearer and crushes the weight of the cross.  You are not alone.  You have an army here of spiritual warriors praying for your perseverance!

Peace, Joy, and Love,

Janet

Build the army. Pass it on. 

Pray for Families (Child-like Docility)

Greetings Prayer Warriors,

Any parent knows that infants, toddlers, and preschoolers can be taxing, but who doesn’t melt when they exhibit such sweet, unconditional love! They listen to you because they believe you are so wise.  And because they think you walk on water, they love to imitate you. Even if you discipline them they don’t withhold their love and hugs for long. They know they can still be consoled in your arms.

Contrast that with tweeners, teenagers, and young adults. They grunt and roll their eyes at you. Their stare becomes a glare. “Wise” is not a word they use to describe you, but rather they think they hold all the knowledge. In their estimation, you just don’t get it and are completely behind the times.

Which one are you with the Lord, the child or the teen? Do you trust in His love and mercy?  Do you try to imitate Him? When He disciplines you with trials, do you run into His arms or roll your eyes at Him? Or when things don’t go your way, do you challenge whether He knows what’s best for you?  Do you curse Him? Do you think His Church is out of step with the times? 

“Let the children come to me; do not prevent them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Amen, I say to you, whoever does not accept the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it.” Then he embraced them and blessed them, placing his hands on them. Mark 10:14-16

Spend some quiet time with the Lord. Perhaps it’s time for a heart to heart. Let us pray for one another, that we can become docile in the arms of the Father. 

Peace, Joy, and Love,

Janet

Challenge another to reclaim their childhood innocence.  Pass it on! 

Pray for Marriages (A Slow Fast)

Greetings Prayer Warriors,

Later this week I’m scheduled for a routine screening procedure that requires specific preparation and fasting. I have been reading through the instructions with a fine-tooth comb so the results of my fasting will be perfect. This got me thinking; do I take this much care when my fasting is of a spiritual nature? Am I concerned about precision adherence? Or do I allow myself all sorts of slip-ups, because I don’t think it will effect the outcome…a change in me?

When we fast, we both prepare for and empty ourselves so that we can be filled with something better.  But perhaps food isn’t what you need to fast from.  Perhaps it’s fromTV? Video games? Alcohol?  Profanity? Un-forgiveness? Pride? Vanity? Smoking? Attitude!?

Is this the manner of fasting I would choose, a day to afflict oneself? […] Is this not, rather, the fast that I choose: releasing those bound unjustly, untying the thongs of the yoke; Setting free the oppressed, breaking off every yoke? Is it not sharing your bread with the hungry, bringing the afflicted and the homeless into your house; Clothing the naked when you see them, and not turning your back on your own flesh? Isaiah 58:5-7

When fasting, we wait in anticipation for what will change…and change can be slow…especially when it is within us.

What are YOU willing to fast for? Your marriage? The marriage of another? That is what I am challenging you to this week, a fast! You decide what from and for how long.  Only you know what is sacrificial.

I will be praying and fasting for YOU. 

Then your light shall break forth like the dawn, and your wound shall quickly be healed; Your vindication shall go before you, and the glory of the LORD shall be your rear guard.  Isaiah 58:8

Peace, Joy, and Love,

Janet

Less is more. Pass it on!

Pray for Families (Pray for your Persecutors)

Greetings Prayer Warriors,

“17 Killed in Mass shooting.”

Once again tragedy strikes, this time at a Florida high school. It is heartbreaking to hear of such a senseless loss of life. Please pray for all of the families who lost love ones as well as all the surviving students and staff who are traumatized. Please pray for their emotional healing so that anger, resentment, bitterness, and hate won't set up a permanent camp to destroy them further.

Our God comes and will not be silent! The heavens proclaim his righteousness, for God himself is the judge. Psalms 50:3, 6

Bless those who persecute [you], bless and do not curse them. 

Romans 12:14

I now ask that you open your hearts wider. While what the shooter did was very evil, let us pray for him too.

“You have committed a grave sin. Now I will go up to the LORD; perhaps I may be able to make atonement for your sin.”  Exodus 32:30

While many are crying out for greater gun control, my gut cries out that we have to look even further upstream. Let’s look at the stability of his family life. He was adopted as a baby, lost his new father at the young age of 5/6, suffered from developmental and learning disabilities for most of his life, and then loses his mother at age 18/19, which was just last November. He made several bad choices in his life.  There is no excuse for his behavior, but I feel a great sadness for him.

Where sin increased, grace abounded all the more. Romans 5:20

What impact does the breakdown of his family have?  What impact would an early diagnosis and treatment of mental illness and depression have? If these things weren’t major issues in our country, would we be worrying about guns?

Only God knows.

Is anyone among you suffering? He should pray.  James 5:13

Lord, we so often feel helpless when tragedy strikes.  Let us remember that you have taught us how to pray. We ask for a conversion of the shooter, that he may become contrite of heart and repent of his evil ways. We ask for your healing grace upon the families and community that are suffering so greatly.  May your great love bring them comfort and peace and lead them to a place of forgiveness. 

Peace, Joy, and Love,

Janet

Forgiveness.  Mercy.  Love. Pass it on.