Pray for Families (A Visitation)

Feast of the  Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Greetings Prayer Warriors,

As I look back on my life thus far, I marvel at how no matter where I was on my faith journey, be it a figurative kindergartener, middle-schooler, or high schooler, the Lord always has met me exactly where I was at. He spoon-fed me when necessary and at other times, challenged me.  At each “visitation” he indeed bestowed on me something special; a new awareness, a greater humility, a new level of friendship.

How often though, is he encouraging us to a visitation; to bring Him to our own family and extended Christian family? 

Be still and know that I am God.  Psalm 46:10

Unless we are still, we will never hear His soft voice, nor feel His gentle nudge, or experience the desire to go where or say what we were never planning. He wants to act through us.

Do you not know that you are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? 1 Corinthians 3:16

I experienced this, and it’s always in an unexpected way. Today, I volunteered in a local hospital where I bring the Eucharist to the sick and pray with those who desire it. I never know how I will be received in any room I enter, nor do I know anything about the patient or their condition. It is not unusual for the patient to refuse one or both. However, to my surprise, the room where I spent most of my time today was one that declined both. However, they had a desire to talk. They had a hunger to know more about their faith.  They had a desire to be part of a faith community.  The Lord called me to be still (they were the last patient on my list), and be present for this patient (allow Him to shine, and not consume my thoughts about everything I needed to do once I finished volunteering). The Good Shepherd sends us to tend to his flock.

Arise! Shine, for your light has come, the glory of the LORD has dawned upon you. Isaiah 60:1

Spend some quiet time with the Lord in prayer.  Ask him to help you be still, be present, so that he may shine through you to not only your family, but His entire family.

Peace, Joy, and Love,

Janet

Be a reflection of the Lord and shine! Pass it on!

Pray for Marriages (Remembering the Fallen and their Spouses)

Memorial Day

Greetings Prayer Warriors,

This Memorial Day, let’s pause to reflect on the reason for this holiday from work. Today, we honor all those who lost their lives fighting for the freedom of this country.

While we pray for the fallen, let us pray also for the spouses who were left behind.  They too lost their lives in a sense, in that their life was permanently altered.

Lord, we pray for the souls of those military personnel who in serving their country, gave the ultimate sacrifice. May they be granted eternal rest and be welcomed into your kingdom.  

 No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. John 15:13

Lord, we pray for the widows of those who served for love of God and country, for they faithfully served on the home front, facing life’s daily battles alone. May they be given strength, hope, and joy as they journey on new paths.  Give those who are parents a double portion of grace as they raise their children alone and try to keep the memory of the deceased parent alive.

As each one has received a gift, use it to serve one another as good stewards of God’s varied grace. 1 Peter 4:10

Lord, we also pray for all deployed active duty soldiers and their spouses, that you protect and bless their marriages. Send your angels to guard the lonely hearts and keep the Evil One from entering into the long absences.

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us rid ourselves of every burden and sin that clings to us and persevere in running the race that lies before us while keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus, the leader and perfecter of faith. Hebrews 12:1-2

Since this holiday was previously observed on May 30, I encourage all of you to pray from now through the 30th for these precious souls and their loved ones. 

Persevere in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. Colossians 4:2

Peace, Joy, and Love,
Janet

May all those who sacrificed for our freedom never be forgotten in our prayers. Pass it on.

Pray for Families (New Normals)

Greetings Prayer Warriors,

This time of year, many young adults are coming home from college or preparing to venture away from home, often for the first time.  It is a time of anticipation and anxiety depending on who you speak with, the parent or the child, and also a time of dealing with a “new normal”. Perhaps as a parent, you will be an empty-nester for the first time.  Or perhaps you will deal with siblings at home adjusting to the change.  Maybe, you are adjusting to a collegiate child coming home for the summer just as you were getting used to the quiet.  Whatever is changing your world, it is always a good time to contemplate how the Lord is using this time to prune you.

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vine grower. He takes away every branch in me that does not bear fruit, and every one that does he prunes so that it bears more fruit. John 15:1-2

Lord, on behalf of all families, we ask that you bless them with the grace to adapt to change with gentleness, kindness, and trust. May all be docile as you mold them like clay, transforming then in ways beyond their imagination. Help all endure the kiln of life, trusting that you will make each one of us into beautiful masterpieces.  Jesus, we trust in you!

For we are his handiwork, created in Christ Jesus for the good works that God has prepared in advance, that we should live in them. Ephesians 2:10

Peace, Joy, and Love,

Janet

Appreciate  the masterpiece each family member is. Pass it on! 

Pray for Marriages (Peace through Prayer)

Greetings Prayer Warriors,

Whose marriage consumes your thoughts and is on your heart?  Turn useless worry and anxiety into peace, by praying whenever worry creeps in. Prayer always bears fruit.  Pause for a moment, pray for that couple, and ask that the Lord to bless their marriage and be the glue that binds it together and strengthens it for the future.

For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that he may grant you in accord with the riches of his glory to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in the inner self, and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the holy ones what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Ephesians 3:14-19

Can you commit to at least 3 minutes a day of prayer for marriages?

Peace, Joy, and Love,

Janet

Say a prayer and pass it on!

Pray for Families (Light in the Darkness)

Greetings Prayer Warriors,

During some of the darkest moments of my life, I remember how I slowly pulled away from others, feeling that I was the only one I could trust. Little by little, I stopped nurturing friendship and minimized social activities while limiting my communication with others.

In the midst of difficulty, it is so easy to turn inward, deep inside yourself where you feel isolated and protected. The problem is, when you withdraw from others for an extended period of time, you begin to feel truly all alone. Luckily, during my trials I was having deep conversations with God. His Light eventually broke through.

 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.  John 1:5

But what about those who have no relationship or thought of God as Father, Protector, Redeemer, or Prince of Peace? Are these the ones who despair, fall into deep depression, and contemplate a radical change or permanent end to their lives? These individuals may be friends, coworkers, strangers, and even family members.

Have I no helper, and has my good sense deserted me? A friend owes kindness to one in despair, though he has forsaken the fear of the Almighty.  Job 6:13-14

It is for these dear souls we pray: Lord, break through each darkened mind with your Light, bringing about a new calm. Enter into the souls that cry out in despair and bring peace. In the loneliness of these hearts, dwell in friendship, showing them the joy of Love Himself. Open their eyes to those helpers whom you have placed in their midst. Open their ears to your voice which radiates through your earthly disciples. Crush the taunting lies of the Evil One, that they will lose their power over the dejected. Hear our petitions on behalf of our beloved brothers and sisters, and answer them. Jesus we trust in You!

O God, hear my prayer. Listen to the words of my mouth. Psalms 54:4

Peace, Joy, and Love,

Janet

You are not alone, for our prayers will sustain you and bear fruit. Pass it on!