Pray for Marriages (Ordinary to Extraordinary)

Greetings Prayer Warriors,

 

As we enter into Advent, I feel hopeful anticipation, perhaps tentative about just what Christmas will bring. I know I must prepare my heart first and foremost. I reflect on what Mary and Joseph must have felt as the impending birth of the Savior was only weeks away. I imagine they drew very close to each other, as their life as a couple was about to change from ordinary to extraordinary…in their eyes alone. 

 

Isn’t’ that what each married couple longs for, a life that becomes extraordinary, even if it only appears so to them? Yet that is exactly what the Lord offers each of us if we only allow him to be born fully into our marriage!

 

My dwelling shall be with them; I will be their God, and they will be my people. Ezekiel 37:27

 

That is a lot to contemplate! Spend Advent reflecting on where He is allowed in your relationship and where you are closing the door to Him. Search your own heart first and encourage your spouse to do the same. Then discuss ways in which you as a couple welcome or resist His presence. What might you do to more fully prepare for His coming and staying? Will you make room for Him? For what could be a better gift than to exclaim on Christmas morning, 

 

“We have found the Messiah” John 1:41

 

Pray for one another, that each will be prepared to receive the extraordinary this Christmas!

 

Peace, Joy, and Love,

Janet

 

Plan for His extended stay! Pass it on!

Pray for Marriages (Gratitude and Thanksgiving)

Greetings Prayer Warriors,

 

Consider the time you spend every day complaining or moaning about something...or someone. Perhaps that someone is your spouse. What if instead, you focused on their strengths and praised what was good about them? Isn’t that what you hope they’d do for you? God has given each one of us unique gifts. Don’t complain about the gifts your spouse doesn't have, but rather celebrate the ones they do!

 

For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected when received with thanksgiving, for it is made holy by the invocation of God in prayer. 1 Timothy 4:4-5

 

Lord, we praise you and thank you! You made men and women complementary, so that together they are more complete than when alone. Open our eyes to see the gifts we overlook in one another. Help us to encourage, build up, and praise each other for the acts of service, kindnesses, and sacrifices made on one another’s behalf. Help us give up the selfish for the selfless. May we recognize that our challenges with each other are your gifts to help us grow in patience, love and holiness.  Bless our spouses. Bless all marriages! In you alone we trust! Amen.

 

Everything indeed is for you, so that the grace bestowed in abundance on more and more people may cause the thanksgiving to overflow for the glory of God. 2 Corinthians 4:15

 

Live a life of gratitude and thanksgiving, a most glorious prayer!

 

Peace, Joy, and Love,

Janet

 

Thank your spouse, then thank God!  Pass it on!

 

Pray for Families (Ignite the Faith)

Greetings Prayer Warriors,  

When the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth?  Luke 18:8

 

Will he find faith within the family?  Will he find one heart that loves Him and keeps His commands? 

 

I always thought the answer to this was, “Well, of course!” but now, I am not so sure. For many, their faith is as delicate as a dandelion. With, any wind of change, it disappears in the breeze. For others their faith is much deeper, but the roots are rotting due to the erosion of once fertile soil.  For others, it never really took root, as there were too many other more glamorous enticements before them. Still for others, they are dormant, wondering what ever happened to the diligent gardeners that would prune them, helping them to abundantly bear fruit.  The Word was before them, but they lost sight. 

 

The seed is the word of God. Those on the path are the ones who have heard, but the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts that they may not believe and be saved. Those on rocky ground are the ones who, when they hear, receive the word with joy, but they have no root; they believe only for a time and fall away in time of trial. As for the seed that fell among thorns, they are the ones who have heard, but as they go along, they are choked by the anxieties and riches and pleasures of life, and they fail to produce mature fruit. But as for the seed that fell on rich soil, they are the ones who, when they have heard the word, embrace it with a generous and good heart, and bear fruit through perseverance.  Luke 8:11-15

 

Lord, we humbly place our family before you, for these are confusing times. Everyone claims to proclaim the truth, but their viewpoints are opposing. Only in knowing you, we will know the truth! We pray that you will ignite/reignite the faith in each member of our family, providing just what we each need to continue the journey. Sometimes it appears to be two steps forward one step back. Keep us progressing forward! Strengthen our faith so that we may not become prey to Satan’s whispers. Minimize our frustration and preserve us from despair. Erase our doubts and cleanse our hearts from all that pushes you out. May the fire of your Spirit incinerate the darkness in our souls, as we seek to “clean house”. Then may your Word fully take root that we may persevere in the journey and bear fruit, for the destination is eternal life!  Amen.

Sow the good seed and spread the Word!

 

Peace, Joy, and Love, 

Janet  

 

Be the spark!  Pass it on!  

Pray for Marriages (The Light of Faith)

Greetings Prayer Warriors,

 

How often have you been in a situation where you said to yourself, “I don’t know what to do?!” How often in marriage have you asked yourself that same question?  I think most would answer, “frequently”.

 

Moreover, you have endurance and have suffered for my name, and you have not grown weary. Yet I hold this against you: you have lost the love you had at first. Realize how far you have fallen. Repent, and do the works you did at first. Revelation 2:3-5

 

Sometimes it is hard to put on heartfelt love and compassion. Patience and kindness are intentional. Let us be mindful that the simple thing to do is often one of great effort. But it is exactly what Christ modeled for us. 

 

I have given you a model to follow, so that as I have done for you, you should also do. John 13:15

 

Lord, help us never to grow weary of imitating your love, patience, kindness, compassion, and forgiveness. Give us the light of faith to persevere down the path you have ordained for us. We pray for the grace needed to be your light in the dark moments of marriage so that together we can bring hope and light to all those who dwell in darkness. Jesus, we trust in your unwavering love and mercy!  

 

Peace, Joy, and Love,

Janet

 

Light begets light! Be a flame in your marriage!  Pass it on! 

Pray for Families (Healing of Body and Mind)

Greetings Prayer Warriors,

 

As COVID -19 cases seem to be resurging in major cities throughout the US and world, it’s a good reminder to pray for our families, friends, and brothers and sisters in Christ, for I imagine there isn’t one of you who hasn’t know someone affected. Let us pray for their physical health plus everyone’s mental health as tighter restrictions of gatherings are re-emerging. 

 

But for you who fear my name, the sun of justice will arise with healing in its wings. Malachi 3:20

 

Lord, we trust in your greater plan, but we ask for the grace to not waver. Protect our families, especially those who live at great distances from us, and if sick, renew them in their health and their faith. As anxiety and depression rise, call each softly to rest in your Sacred Heart or the Immaculate Heart of you Mother. Anchored to you, we will survive all tempests.  Bless each member of our families and shine the light of faith into their hearts.  Find the prayers of your humble servants pleasing and both hear and answer them.  Jesus, we trust in you! Amen.

 

Will not God then secure the rights of his chosen ones who call out to him day and night? Will he be slow to answer them? I tell you, he will see to it that justice is done for them speedily. But when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth? Luke 18:7-8

 

May the Lord answer our prayers and increase our faith!

 

Peace, Joy, and Love,

Janet

 

Continue to talk to Him who always listens. Prayer is a conversation that the Lord never tires of! Pass it on!  

 

Pray for Marriages (Sailing toward Heaven)

Greetings Prayer Warriors, 

 

During the homily at Mass on Sunday, the priest gave an enlightening description of the physical space in the church which I’d like to share, understanding that the space in your church may be different.  He said that the tabernacle on the altar represents heaven. The gates at the communion rail represent the gates of heaven. The nave, where the parishioners sit, represents the ship sailing towards heaven.

 

This description created a beautiful image. I visualized a ship with the winds of the Spirit filling its sails and journeying toward the Divine.

 

As I contemplated “church” my mind wandered to “domestic church”, which is the family home. If God is welcomed into our home and our marriage, He becomes the captain of that ship. However, it is not usual for any ship to experience great tempests. I next envisioned some spouses jumping off the ship (free will), and others while under the influence, falling off, but those who remained were carried to their heavenly destination.

 

You are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it. Matthew 16:18

 

Storms within any church are difficult to weather. Let us pray that as the winds of change, the tsunami of life, and the quakes unsettle us, we may keep our eyes fixed on the Lord, and continue to allow Him to captain our ship. We pray that by focusing on His loving gaze we may never desire to leave and jump ship. May we become intoxicated only by His unwavering love and fidelity. Lord when we are nauseated by the rocky seas that swirl around us, may your hand calm the waters and bring us healing and peace. We surrender control. Come Lord Jesus, be our captain! 

 

“Behold, God’s dwelling is with the human race. He will dwell with them and they will be his people and God himself will always be with them [as their God]. Revelation 21:3

 

Peace, Joy, and Love, 

Janet

 

Heavenly hope is something to be shared. Pass it on! 

Pray for Families (The Leaven of Prayer)

Greetings Prayer Warriors,

 

What a week! Never a dull moment! The election news and all that surrounds it is impacting the psyches of many.  Add to that the uncertainty of what the nation’s future will be, and you have a recipe for anxiety, depression, and confusion. Yet, there is a recipe that steals the leaven from the former and instead gives rise to peace, joy, and love, a balm for the soul.

 

Prayer is a yeast that will lift the downtrodden. During these times, let us pray for peace and healing within our families while meditating upon God’s Word.

 

Lord, there is much that worries me, help me to find rest for my soul.

 

Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28

 

Help me to let go of the anxieties that oppress me.

 

Cast all your worries upon him because he cares for you. 1 Peter 5:7

 

Lord, be my shelter from all that swirls around me and robs me of my peace.

 

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give it to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid.  John 14:27

 

But the world seems topsy-turvy Lord!

 

I have told you this so that you might have peace in me. In the world you will have trouble, but take courage, I have conquered the world.” John 16:33

 

Lord, forgive us our trespasses!

 

With age-old love I have loved you; so I have kept my mercy toward you.  Jeremiah 31:3

 

Praise and thanksgiving to Him who never abandons us. May we never abandon Him! Renewed by faith, may your prayers for one another continue to rise!

 

Peace, Joy, and Love,

Janet

 

Be the leaven in the world! Pass it on!  

Pray for Marriages (The Eternal Crown)

Greetings Prayer Warriors,

 

Many of you are aware that November 2nd is All Souls Day, a time to pray for the dead. My heart turns toward loved ones who have passed. However, since I have developed the habit of praying for marriages on Mondays (I hope you have by now too), I am reminded that our job as a spouse is to get our partner to heaven. Perhaps that means not only praying copious prayers during the marriage, but ongoing prayers of supplication for our spouse upon their passing. It is the rare person who dies a saint, for we are all sinners, so let us amplify our prayers!

 

 I encourage everyone to pray for souls all month long, until it becomes a habit, at which point you won’t want to stop!  A priest said it best when he exclaimed, “There are no ingrates in heaven, so if you pray for souls today, they will reward you once they get to heaven!” So, for those of you who thought, “If I my spouse dies first, who’s going to pray for me?” you now have your answer!

 

Turning to supplication, they prayed that the sinful deed might be fully blotted out.  If he were not expecting the fallen to rise again, it would have been superfluous and foolish to pray for the dead. But if he did this with a view to the splendid reward that awaits those who had gone to rest in godliness, it was a holy and pious thought.Thus, he made atonement for the dead that they might be absolved from their sin. 2 Maccabees 12:42, 44-46

 

Since nothing unclean can stand before God, let us pray for the cleansing purgation of the dead, so that one day they will be with God forever in eternity.

 

If you need a prayer to get you started, here is an excellent one written by St. Gertrude.

 

Eternal Father, I offer Thee the Most Precious Blood of Thy Divine Son, Jesus, in union with the masses said throughout the world today, for all the holy souls in purgatory, for sinners everywhere, for sinners in the universal church, those in my own home and within my family. Amen.

 

Keep praying for marriages too, so that one day each spouse may be given their glorious crown in heaven!

 

Peace, Joy, and Love,

Janet

 

Prayer is a gift of eternal value. Pass it on!