Pray for Families (Elevator Pitch)

Greetings Prayer Warriors,

Most people know what an elevator pitch is, but for those who don’t let me explain. You never know when someone really important to you may just so happen to walk into the elevator with you. It could be a customer, hiring manager, celebrity, the President, or anyone you dreamed of having time with.  Unprepared, you become totally tongue-tied and miss your chance at getting the appointment, getting the job, being witty, or just being memorable. If only you had been ready with something succinct, charming, and persuasive to say! 

While the above examples may be of some consequence, how ready are you for the biggest day of your life; the elevator to eternal life or death? When you come face to face with the Lord, what would be the one thing you don’t want to hear?

Truly I say to you, I do not know you.  Matthew 25:12

Let me be clear. We don’t get to do an elevator pitch at the Pearly Gates. Each day here on earth, we have the opportunity to communicate with Him. But are we? Prayer that is spoken, silent, humble, or in action, builds a friendship of love. He doesn’t require that we be perfect, but rather loving and trusting in His mercy. Then we will be like the wise virgins, prepared and waiting for the Bridegroom to welcome us to the wedding feast.

Well done good and faithful servant! Matthew 25:21

Lord, awaken all to your promise of eternal life and give us the grace to willingly accept this precious gift.  May prayer become our daily routine in life, keeping us in close communion with You. We pray for all of your children, that no matter how great or small our sins, we will trust in your unfathomable mercy!

Peace, Joy, and Love,

Janet

Not being prepared may have eternal consequences. Pass it on!  

Pray for Marriages (True Love)

Greetings Prayer Warriors,

Have you ever noticed that when you hear Truth, it pierces your soul? I was listening to someone* speak on marriage. He discussed the (unrealistic) expectations we have of our spouse in marriage. One seeks love, thus they marry for love. But disappointment often creeps in as no spouse is perfect nor fills our desire for love. What we want is infinite Love, which is not here on earth. His pearls, some of which are paraphrased were:

• No human being in the world is love.  God is Love. 
• We seek unity, but only the Spirit creates unity, not the flesh.
• Love’s purpose is for the other’s perfection.
• You marry for love, and Love leads you back to God.

God is love, and whoever remains in love remains in God and God in him. In this is love brought to perfection among us… 1John 4:16

Say a prayer and contemplate how all this fits into your marriage.  If you and your spouse are a beacon of light, please keep praying for all marriages, as your witness is so important.  If God speaks to you in this, find comfort in the abyss of His love.  Pray that you will bring Love more intimately into your marriage and that all marriages will find True Love.

Peace, Joy, and Love,
Janet

True Love. Pass it on! 

*Venerable Fulton J Sheen

Prayer for Families (The Good from Within)

Greetings Prayer Warriors,

“Can anything good come from Nazareth?” John 1:46

I both smile and cringe at the irony here. How often have we judged people by where they are from and what our pre-conceived notions are about “those people”? If Jesus came today and was from the ghetto, would we know Him? If the anti-Christ came from Beverly Hills, would we sense evil or would we totally be taken in?

Nothing that enters one from outside can defile that person; but the things that come out from within are what defile.” Mark 7:15

While one has no choice as to where they are from, they can decide the manner in which they will choose to live their lives. Followers of Jesus are always identified by their love.

Lord, help us to grow in our capacity to love. We acknowledge that this means we have to empty our hearts of all that pushes you out so that you may enter in and shine brightly through us. Only then can our love beget greater love within our families. We ask for receptivity to the grace you so generously pour upon us all. May the good you do through us, capture many souls for the kingdom.

Peace, Joy, and Love,
Janet

Infernos of love start with just a spark. Pass it on!

Pray for Marriages (Empty-Nesters)

Greetings Prayer Warriors,

The winds of change are blowing once again. Can you feel the immense energy shift? The wave of kids returning to school is beginning; grade school, middle school, high school and college. The latter leave many parents with an empty nest. Parents whose lives for years centered around their children’s schedules, are now left to reflect on whether they put that same amount of effort and energy into their marriage. As they are left in a quiet home with their spouse, the answer will become clear.

Be of one mind, sympathetic, loving toward one another, compassionate, humble. 1 Peter 3:8

This week, let’s pray for those marriages whose core foundation was built upon their children. 

Lord, as children fly the coop, may your Spirit descend upon these couples, reorder their marriage, and breathe new life into it. May they rebuild and strengthen their foundation on the Rock, the one who never will leave them.

For I know well the plans I have in mind for you—oracle of the LORD—plans for your welfare and not for woe, so as to give you a future of hope. When you call me, and come and pray to me, I will listen to you. Jeremiah 29:11-12

May peace, joy and love fill your hearts and your homes!

Janet

Contemplate the Lord’s plan for you, then pray, “Thy will be done!” Pass it on. 

Pray for Families (Joy in Heaven)

Greetings Prayer Warriors,

We know that worry doesn’t add one extra day to your life, but prayer can add an eternity to someone else’s.

There will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous people who have no need of repentance. Luke 15:7

Who worries your heart the most?  Commit to praying daily for their awakening, conversion, and repentance.  A prayer a day keeps the devil at bay!

Peace, Joy, and love,

Janet

May the heavens overflow with joy from the prayers that convert seemingly lost souls!  Pass it on!

Pray for Marriages (The Gift of a Rocky Road)

Greetings Prayer Warriors,

If you could talk to newlyweds, what advice would you give them? I would tell them to be as patient with themselves as with their spouse.  For when two are united into one in the sacrament of marriage, it will take a while to adjust from “me” to “us”.   

Marriage involves: Making A Rocky Road Into A God  Experience

For without a doubt, at some point in your marriage, the paved path will become a rocky road.  It is during such difficulties in your life that you will realize how much you need God.  He hears your cries and calls each of you by name. And as you move closer toward God, your marriage will become more secure, for He stands in the gap. When God is near, peace, love and joy will abound, even when traveling along the rocky road.

I will lead the blind on a way they do not know; by paths they do not know I will guide them. I will turn darkness into light before them, and make crooked ways straight. These are my promises: I made them, I will not forsake them.  Isaiah 42:16

Lord, today we pray for all newlyweds and ask your blessings upon them.  Hear our prayers of love and petition for them.  In your great mercy, bestow abundant graces on all marriages growing weary in the path of life. May we praise your mercy forever!

Peace, Joy, and Love,

Janet

Pray for a newlyweds! They may become the next generation of prayer warriors! Pass it on! 

Pray for Families (Sweet Surrender)

Greetings Prayer Warriors,

The word "surrender" conjures up the image of forced defeat. Hands up, crying “uncle”, and waving a white flag, each translating to “I give up!” It evokes a feeling of complete failure and utter loss; loss of pride, status, accomplishment, etc.

Paradoxically, when the Lord asks us to surrender our will to His, we are not “giving up”, but in essence, we are voluntarily handing over our will and actually gaining something of greater value! We are letting go of self-pride, following Him, and thus accepting his invitation  to be coheirs.

Amen, amen, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains just a grain of wheat; but if it dies, it produces much fruit.  John 12:24

Yet, more often than not, we take back control even after we pray “thy will be done”. Paradoxically, we feel safer when we are “in control”. Lord help us!

“I delight to do thy will, O my God; thy law is within my heart." Psalm 40:8

Lord, grant us and our families the grace needed to surrender our wills to You daily.  We admit that it is a continual journey, but one we desire to take! In you we will find the life you have predestined us for, and ultimately our true purpose. Our peace and joy will abound! O Jesus, I surrender myself to you, take care of everything!

Peace, Joy, and Love,

Janet

Everyone should experience the sweet surrender. Pass it on!