Pray for Marriages (In Imitation of)

Greetings Prayer Warriors,

Life can seem like one challenge after another. Who hasn’t experienced stressors such as health, financial, housing, relocation, family crises, or even lost children? When these situations present themselves, how do have you handled them?  

Ponder this for a while. What happens to your emotions, the modulation of your voice, your temperament, and your virtues?

You are thinking, “Yes, we are not our best selves, but who can blame us?”

Now consider that the Holy Family experienced all of these things as well. Contemplate the actions and responses of Mary and Joseph. With great faith and humility, they placed all their trust in God, then prayed fervently.

Let your faith in the LORD, your God, be firm, and you will be firm. 

2 Chronicles 20:20

Though I tried to understand all this, it was too difficult for me, till I entered the sanctuary of God.  Psalm 73:15-16

Spend some quiet time with the Lord, inviting your spouse to join you. If possible, pray in front of the tabernacle. Pour out your hearts to Him and trust that He will see you through any difficulties you are experiencing. Jesus has great compassion for you. Let him nourish, soothe, and fortify your soul, strengthening you for the journey. Repeat, “Jesus, I trust in You.”

You are never alone in your prayers, for we aren’t the only ones praying with you and for you.

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

Peace, Joy, and Love,

Janet

Hope does not disappoint! Pass it on!  

Pray for Families (Greater trust in Him!)

Greetings Prayer Warriors,

As time passes, people are shaken not only by the potential consequences the COVID-19 virus could have on their health, but by the unknown short- and long-term economic impact it may have on their future. Security, livelihood, shelter, food, healthcare, and other basic needs are uncertain for many.  For others who remain employed, their work-life balance has changed drastically, bringing about other concerns. 

Lord, we worry much.  Help us to trust in you more.

Look at the birds in the sky; they do not sow or reap, they gather nothing into barns, yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are not you more important than they? Can any of you by worrying add a single moment to your life-span? Seek first the kingdom [of God] and his righteousness, and all these things will be given you besides. Do not worry about tomorrow; tomorrow will take care of itself. Sufficient for a day is its own evil. 

Matthew 6:26-27, 33, 34

Lord, this forced togetherness stretches us in new ways! Please advise!

Be hospitable to one another without complaining. As each one has received a gift, use it to serve one another as good stewards of God’s varied grace. 1 Peter 4:9-10

Lord, when we begin to doubt your goodness and find ourselves in darkness, either physically, emotionally, or spiritually, shine your light upon us and bring us a new life!

What came to be through him was life, and this life was the light of the human race; the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. John 1:4-5

Lord, we hate feeling out of control.  Shatter our illusion that we ever were!

“God opposes the proud but bestows favor on the humble.” So humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time. Cast all your worries upon him because he cares for you. 

1 Peter 5:5-7

Jesus, we trust in you! Help our distrust!

The God of all grace who called you to his eternal glory through Christ [Jesus] will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you after you have suffered a little. To him be dominion forever. Amen.  1 Peter 5:10-11

In confidence, let us cling to the certainty that we are CHILDREN OF GOD, and that a good Father never abandons his children.  Instead, he calls us into his loving embrace!

Peace, Joy, and Love,

Janet

Help increase another’s faith, hope, and charity. Pass it on!

Pray for Marriages (Equipped and Loved)

Greetings Prayer Warriors,

This pandemic has led to an unwanted trifecta. People are dealing with a change of employment, whether that means a lost job or a drastically changed one, an economic impact whose full extent is yet to be felt, and a loss of equilibrium in one’s mental health which can manifest in anxiety, depression, and mood swings. To add insult to injury, all of that may occur even if you never contract the virus. It puts into perspective why traditional wedding vows read something like the following.

"I …, take you, …, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and health, until death do us part."

Such vows help us momentarily shift our focus to the reality of the commitment we are making. Weddings are brief, but marriages are forever. Each day we are called to live our vows, even when the negatives occur all at once. But we are not left unequipped, for the Lord gives us all the grace that we need. He may bring us to our knees to help us grow in humility.  teach us patience and compassion as we care for our spouse, and ask us to be generous with all that we have, including our time. He may alert us to the silent “killers” we have foolishly welcomed in, while we’ve been blind to their necrotizing effect on our soul.  He may awaken in us a renewed poverty of spirit, as we realize how much we truly need Him.  What merciful love He bestows on us!

The wealth of the rich is their strong city; they fancy it a high wall. Before disaster the heart is haughty, but before honor is humility. One’s spirit supports one when ill, but a broken spirit who can bear?”  The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the just run to it and are safe. Proverbs 18: 11-12, 14, 10

So, say your prayers and count your blessings.  You have a God who loves you more than life.  This life is only to prepare you for an eternity with Him.  Love your spouse, praise the name of the Lord, and say a prayer of gratitude every day.

Peace, Joy, and Love, 

Janet

Equip another. Pass it on.  

Pray for Families (Seeing, Hearing, Receiving, and Sharing True Life)

Greetings Prayer Warriors,

How often we long to hear the voice of Christ, especially when we ceaselessly pray for our intentions!  When we don’t get the response we are hoping for, we frequently conclude that the Lord isn’t listening. Perhaps we are the ones not listening, rejecting what we do hear when we don’t like the answer.  

Reflect on the story of the apostles who were fishing all night long and into the wee morning hours of the morning without a single catch. Then the Lord arrives out of nowhere and yells from shore, “Try casting your net to the other side!”  Can you imagine how the disciples must have felt?  I know my brain would be racing, thinking, “Does he think we’ve never fished before??!!  Perhaps someone should tell him we are FISHERMEN!  Doesn’t he think we would have attempted that hours ago if we thought it had an iota of value?!” Yet, the apostles recognized the Master’s voice and obeyed. The result, 153 fish, well beyond their expectations!

Perhaps we need to dial up a mustard seed of faith just as the apostles did. Perhaps we have to listen with a humble heart that admits we don’t have all the answers, our way isn’t always the best way, and the Lord’s way doesn’t always make sense to our limited brains, but obedience to his voice always pays off! 

He wants what is best for us, eternal life.  Admittedly the journey is most unpleasant, but he never fails to nourish us, body, soul, and mind. He longs to give us Himself, the Bread of Life, which he has left for us in the Eucharist. 

Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me and I in him. Just as the living Father sent me and I have life because of the Father, so also the one who feeds on me will have life because of me. This is the bread that came down from heaven. Unlike your ancestors who ate and still died, whoever eats this bread will live forever.”  John 6:56-58

Nourish your faith and share it with your family. Seeds planted early and often are like prayers prayed frequently throughout one’s life. Invariably they sprout in unexpected way and sometimes the wind blows them elsewhere to be the delight of another, but they always bear fruit. 

Peace, Joy, and Love,

Janet

Sow the seeds of Life by passing it on!

Pray for Marriages (Tipping Toward Abuse)

Greetings Prayer Warriors,

As each day passes and the orders to “stay home,” “stay healthy,” and “stay safe,” remain in effect, many have increasing anxiety not only from the isolation but from the loss of a job and the elimination of a paycheck. In some instances, increased anxiety can lead to substance abuse, angry outbursts, and possible physical and emotional abuse of a spouse or family members. 

Let us pray to our Heavenly Father for both physical and spiritual protection on marriages and families.

Lord, when one has difficulty trusting in your promise, “I will never forsake you or abandon you,” respond to their plea,“I do believe, help my unbelief!”  Hebrews 13:5; Mark 9:24

When one’s own pain and helplessness leads them to lash out at their spouse and family members, Lord, heal them with your grace, fill them with hope, and speak gently within their heart.

“Now you must put them all away: anger, fury, malice, slander, and obscene language out of your mouths. Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience”. Colossians 3:8, 12

When one is panicked at their lack of control over their situation, and fear and anxiety rise to a crippling level, Lord enhance their gift of faith, that they may believe in your Word.

“Therefore, I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat [or drink], or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds in the sky; they do not sow or reap, they gather nothing into barns, yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are not you more important than they? Can any of you by worrying add a single moment to your life-span? But seek first the kingdom [of God] and his righteousness, and all these things will be given you besides. Do not worry about tomorrow; tomorrow will take care of itself. Sufficient for a day is its own evil. Matthew 6: 25-27, 33-34

Lord, in your mercy, just help us to love, for "Love covers a multitude of sins. "1 Peter 4:8

“In everything God works for good, with those who love Him” Romans 8:28

Pray pray pray!

Peace, Joy, and Love,

Janet

Keep the faith, endure in hope, and make Love your foundation. Pass it on!  

Pray for Marriages (Healing from Spiritual Viruses)

Greetings Prayer Warriors,

If you are like me, you are feeling very saturated with all the news on the “respiratory virus” which has swept the world and caused tens of thousands of deaths. My heart is filled with compassion for all of those affected. However, I am compelled to mention the viruses which no one discusses, those that slowly and covertly kill the soul. One such virus is internet pornography. It literally has gone viral, destroying many souls while absolutely crushing the marriages in its path.  

This virus not only affects men, but women. It also affects children as it can lead to human trafficking. These children may become the “models” or the objects of perverse sexual fantasies. This is ugly stuff to bring up, but much prayer is needed in this regard. 

Because of their hardness of heart, they have become callous and have handed themselves over to licentiousness for the practice of every kind of impurity to excess.  Ephesians 4:18-19

Lord, how much agony the sins against purity must have caused you! We call upon your mercy!  Humble those who must first admit they have a problem. Wipe clean the mind marred by distorted images that play in a never-ending loop. Rewire the brain that has lost its normal connections, reactions, and sensitivities. Bring healing to spouses whose hearts have been assaulted by such betrayals. Protect the children lured into human trafficking and increase the number of guardian angels provided them, that they may be find the path out. Come to all those in need of your assistance! Jesus, we trust in your merciful love.

Put to death, then, the parts of you that are earthly: immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and the greed that is idolatry. Colossians 3:5

Peace, Joy, and Love,

Janet

Prayer can break the chain of sin that attempts to keep us bound. Keep praying and pass it on!! 

Pray for Families (Fulfilling His Will)

Greetings Prayer Warriors, 

Since most of us now have limited contact with others, I virtually greet you with a holy hug!  

As we keep our distance and isolate, it becomes increasingly clear that the Lord made us to be in community with one another. Christ’s life was spent in community, even choosing twelve friends to be a part of his inner circle. He only separated himself in prayer and fasting. By humbling himself, he fully surrendered to the Divine Will, asking to be strengthened so he may perfectly fulfill His Father’s plan.

But when you pray, go to your inner room, close the door, and pray to your Father in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will repay you. Matthew 6:6

We have much to learn from contemplating Christ’s simple yet profound actions. Do you know the Father’s divine will for your life? No matter how you’ve fared with your Lenten plans and promises, it’s not too late to hit the reset button. As we enter into Holy Week, carve out the time and space to fast, pray, read scripture, and fulfill your role within the family. Find the quiet in your day to listen to the Lord, asking Him what his plans are for your life. Living in His will and fulfilling his divine purpose for your life will be the perfect prayer for your family. For when one imitates Christ, the impact reverberates through one’s family and the ripple effect never ends. 

I came down from heaven not to do my own will but the will of the one who sent me.John 6:38

Rejoice always. Pray without ceasing. In all circumstances give thanks, for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Peace, Joy, and Love,

Janet

May your prayers for family reverberate to the heavens! Pass it on!