Pray for Families (Love and Reparation)

Greetings Prayer Warriors, 

As we enter into Lent, let us go before the Lord with a humble and contrite heart.

Have mercy on me, God, in accord with your merciful love; in your abundant compassion blot out my transgressions. Thoroughly wash away my guilt; and from my sin cleanse me. For I know my transgressions; my sin is always before me. Behold, you desire true sincerity; and secretly you teach me wisdom. Cleanse me with hyssop, that I may be pure; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. You will let me hear gladness and joy; the bones you have crushed will rejoice.Turn away your face from my sins; blot out all my iniquities. A clean heart create for me, God; renew within me a steadfast spirit. Do not drive me from before your face, nor take from me your holy spirit. Restore to me the gladness of your salvation; uphold me with a willing spirit. I will teach the wicked your ways, that sinners may return to you. Psalm 51: 3-5, 8-15

I will be attending a retreat this weekend and will keep all of you, my spiritual family, in my prayers.  I humbly ask that you keep me in yours. Pray for your family as well, and…

Above all, let your love for one another be intense, because love covers a multitude of sins. 1 Peter 4:8

Peace, Joy, and Love,

Janet

Love is a great act of reparation. Pass it on!  

Pray for Marriages (Unexpected Interference)

Greetings Prayer Warriors, 

Listening to a podcast by a priest who is an experienced exorcist, I was awakened by one of his statements on how Satan loves to interfere with marital relationships; he does so through our emotions. He said Satan can affect how one hears and interprets what is said. For example, a wife trying to please her husband decides to surprise him with a gourmet breakfast one weekend morning. Enthused by her impending surprise, she asks her husband how late he plans to sleep in so that she knows how to time her preparations. To her surprise, her husband reacts saying, “So now your nagging me about how late I am sleeping in?! Must you try to control even my sleep?!” 

Perhaps this is where the sarcastic phrase originated, “No good deed goes unpunished!” Yet do we ever consider that our lack of vigilance allowed demonic forces to sow discord in our relationship?

Jesus rebuked him and the demon came out of him, and from that hour the boy was cured. Then the disciples approached Jesus in private and said, “Why could we not drive it out?” He said to them, “Because of your little faith. Amen, I say to you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.” Mathew 17:18-20

Let us pray for an increase in faith. Let us ask for the ability to discern spirits. Let us pray for a mindset where we always assume positive intent. Let us pray for an increase in holiness, and the protection of the Mary and Joseph, terror of demons. 

Lord in your generosity, grace us with the spiritual yeast needed to make our faith rise to new heights. Help us to be mindful of where our sin creates portals for evil to enter in. May we never cease praying for generosity of heart, abundant joy in our sacrifices, the protection of marriages, and the intercession of Mary and Joseph, so that all we do may glorify You and discourage all spirits that seek the ruin of our souls. Amen.

Peace, Joy, and Love,

Janet

May our prayers be the spiritual fence that repels demons! Pass it on!  

Pray for Families (Falling into Faith)

Greetings Prayer Warriors, 

We are living in some crazy and bewildering times and it is no wonder we sometimes get confused. It can be difficult to distinguish what is true and good vs what is false and destructive. Thus, we hope we are on the right path. However, the devil likes to lay snares for us, knowing exactly where we are weak and vulnerable. The Lord often allows it, so that our faith might be tested. 

You tested us, O God, tried us as silver tried by fire.  You led us into a snare; you bound us at the waist as captives. You let captors set foot on our neck; we went through fire and water; then you led us out to freedom.  Psalms 66:10-12

We all stumble and fall, veer down unintended paths, and even find ourselves stuck and the brambles of life. Yet, the Good Shepherd always hears our cries, rescues us, and brings us back to safety.  

Lord, it is seldom a question of if we fall, but when we fall.  Strengthen our faith, so that we never doubt your love.  Increase our courage, so that we don’t become fearful when put to the test. As we pray each day for our families and ourselves, renew our hope so we may never fall into despair.  Make our hearts like yours, so they may love with pure intent. Purify our minds, so we may be able to distinguish truth from lies in all that we see, hear, and experience. Train us in the virtues, helping us to assemble a protective armor. Hear our collective prayers as beseech thee to bring our families into the sheepfold of your protection.  Jesus, we trust in you! 

  

Peace, Joy, and Love,

Janet

 Prayers are like incense wafting up to heaven. Keep them coming and pass it on!  

Pray for Marriages (IAM Love)

Greetings Prayer Warriors,

When I sent out the first email requesting prayers for marriage over ten years ago, there was no doubt about the definition of marriage. Just a decade later, marriage has been legally redefined and we hear the mantra of “love is love”.  But is it??  We can have feelings of love for anyone or anything.  But He who is Love isLove. Christ’s love was a daily action for us, the beloved, not a romantic feeling.  His actions were sacrificial so that the object of his love (us) could be elevated above their sinfulness and be put on a path to holiness, which ultimately leads to an eternity with Him (Love). 

He never proclaimed, you are who you are, just follow me!  With gentle encouragement, He always asked for a change of behavior, a turning from sin, and an openness to His grace.  

Has no one condemned you?” She replied, “No one, sir.” Then Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you. Go, [and] from now on do not sin any more.” John 8:10-11

May we all learn to perfect our love by imitating Christ!

My daily prayer is for all of you who are struggling with sacrificial, self-giving, and sometimes self-depleting love.  Please join me in praying for one another.

Lord, many are so confused about marriage, it’s purpose of uplifting one another, and its importance to family life.  Bring clarity to those whose minds are confused and darkened as to marriage as you created it. Make smooth and fragrant their paths of those who struggle under the weight of their marital sacrifices. Help them to find joy in the giving, and respite in your loving embrace. Bless marriages with extraordinary graces, so that others may witness the reflection of your love for the beloved.   

The path of the just is like shining light, that grows in brilliance till perfect day. Proverbs 4:18

Peace, Love, and Joy,

Janet

Help someone grow in brilliance. Pass it on!  

Pray for Families (A Heart Well Trained)

Greeting Prayer Warriors,

While this is late in the sending, it is never too late to remind and encourage someone to pray.  Whether you are in love or not, married or single, a parent, grandparent, or neither, prayer will guide you in how to love, especially when you aren’t particularly fond of a family member and don’t feel like loving.  Through prayer, Christ trains us to love as he did: unconditionally. 

Owe nothing to anyone, except to love one another; for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law.  Romans 13:8

May you all be blessed with loving hearts that are able to receive as well as give love. 

Peace, Joy, and Love, 

Janet

Love is an action, often in the form of prayer. Pass it on!

Pray for Marriages (Knowing the Lover)

Greetings Prayer Warriors, 

Everyone has an inherent desire to be loved; to be adored and appreciated for who they are. Many search for the perfect girlfriend or boyfriend, then the perfect spouse. When that doesn’t work out, they try again.  And perhaps again.  Yet even when married, it is rare that a spouse continually feels loved, adored, and appreciated.  They only wish they would hear each morning, 

“Arise, my friend, my beautiful one, and come!  Song of Songs 2:10

If one expects their spouse to fill every desire for love and affirmation, they will be frequently disappointed. Yet, one often ignores the One who always beckons, always affirms, and always loves. Our Lord desires to be the Love of your life, the Keeper of your heart, the Comforter of your sorrows. He loves you unconditionally. Nothing you do will make Him love you any more or any less. 

As you stumble on the rocky road of life, and realize that you don’t even live up to the high bar you have set for your spouse, the Lord softly whispers:

My dove in the clefts of the rock, in the secret recesses of the cliff, let me see your face, let me hear your voice, for your voice is sweet, and your face is lovely.”  Song of Songs 2:14

As we celebrate love this week, let us not forget to love He who is love. Let us pray that all marriages be fortified by His love, be humbled by his gentleness, and that we be quick to answer His call to love more, especially our spouse.  

As we draw closer to Him, let us pray a reparation prayer for others as taught by the angel of Fatima, as others have prayed this prayer for us:

“MY GOD, I believe, I adore, I trust, and I love Thee! I ask pardon for those who do not believe, do not adore, do not trust and do not love Thee.”

Now fortified, go and love your spouse MORE!

Peace, Joy, and Love,

Janet

Believe, adore, trust, and love more! Pass it on!  

Pray for Families (The Gift of a Cross)

Greetings Prayer Warriors,

One thing that is undebatable is that everyone has a cross. Sometimes it is hard to see another’s cross, as their pain is buried deep within and they clothe themselves with a smile. Others bear a heavy cross visible for all to witness. Some have accepted their crosses with resignation while others pray for their cross to be lightened or lifted. We are not expected to carry it alone, for Christ walks with us.

Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for yourselves.For my yoke is easy, and my burden light.” Mark 11:28-30

We should ponder that fact that our crosses are gifted to us with love, as Christ sanctifies us through them. Often these are “gifts” we want to return, especially when they present themselves as joblessness, widowhood, a family member’s addiction, health problems, wayward children or spouses, etc. Let us pray for one another’s patient endurance, joyful hope, and faith-filled courage so that each may continue the journey the Lord has mapped for them.

Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,through whom we have gained access [by faith] to this grace in which we stand, and we boast in hope of the glory of God. Not only that, but we even boast of our afflictions, knowing that affliction produces endurance,and endurance, proven character, and proven character, hope,and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out into our hearts through the holy Spirit that has been given to us. Romans 5:1-5

You are never alone. Even our prayer accompanies you!

Peace, Joy, and Love,
Janet

Prayer beckons heavenly assistance. Call down the army of helpers! Pass it on! 

Pray for Marriages (Saving Faith)

Greetings Prayer Warriors,

The wisdom of age is powerful. I was speaking to a 90-year old relative, married for over 47 years and widowed.  I know her marriage was not easy, and certainly a roller coaster of ups and downs, joys and sorrows, much like most marriages. Yet, she held fast to her faith and continued the journey and experienced the joys that come from endurance, perseverance, and loving when she didn’t feel like loving. She reflected on those years saying, “Now I realize that all the little things I worried and fretted about in life and in marriage were so unimportant in the big picture.” Certainly, words to contemplate and live by!

Whoever wishes to come after me, must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me, says the Lord.  Matthew 16:24

Holy Family, pray for us!  How arduous the journey can be!  Like a game of Chutes and Ladders, the climb up may seem long, and how easy it is to slide back down! In your loving kindness, grant us the grace we each need for the journey. May we praise you for the highs, and praise you for the lows, for your plan for each one of us is always perfect, regardless of how we perceive it. Make us holy! Thank you for walking by our side and showing us the way, the wayto you!

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

Peace, Joy, and Love, 

Janet

Plant a seed of faith by passing it on!