Pray for Families (A Spiritual Reset)

Greetings Prayer Warriors,

 

A spiritual battle has been raging for centuries, but in the last 50-60 years, Satan has made great strides in influencing the culture to deride, demean, mischaracterize and label masculinity as “toxic”. There is little wonder why men have become more effeminate. Many women now view men as unnecessary as a spouse or father. Conversely, many men see no need for marriage because they are not deprived in any way without it.  Additionally, men have relinquished all responsibility toward women they impregnate since women no longer “need” them. A whopping 40% of all births in the U.S. are to unmarried women.  As the breakdown of the family unit has progressed over the decades, we can now see its devastation on the family, society, and even on the identity of children. 

 

You belong to your father the devil and you willingly carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning and does not stand in truth, because there is no truth in him. When he tells a lie, he speaks in character, because he is a liar and the father of lies. John 8:44

 

We must grow in faith! We must pray for fatherhood, motherhood, and ultimately the unification of parenthood for the protection of children. 

 

Heavenly Father, you understand Fatherhood like no other. When you made man, you made him with a purpose in mind. For most men, it was to mature into manhood, marry, love, protect, provide, support, and be fruitful with his spouse, and be the spiritual leader in the family. You also made women with a unique purpose; to mature into womanhood, marry, love, support, honor, and be a helpmate to their husband, and to bring life into the world and to nurture their offspring.  Lord, we have gone WAY off course. As we have forged our independence, we have minimized the need for marriage and true partnership. As we have delegated our parenting, we have opened the doors for the government to indoctrinate our children with false ideologies. Come Lord Jesus and flood us with your grace!  The only reset necessary is in the family! Purge our hearts and minds of all the falsehoods, pride, vanity, lust, selfishness, and greed that have led us down this destructive path. Help us to grow in humility and a greater dependence on You. Help men to denounce the “toxic” lies that surround them, and bring them closer to the heart of the Father. Help women to value their femininity and embrace the gift you gave solely to them, that of being life-bearers. Give each the courage to fully accept the responsibility of parenthood. Light or reignite the fire of their faith, so that they may be faithful teachers and examples of the Gospel within their families. Loving Father, hear the personal prayers of each of these prayer warriors, as they share their own unique petitions with you now...  (  X U W & W V    X ) 

 

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavens, as he chose us in him, before the foundation of the world, to be holy and without blemish before him. Ephesians 1:3-4

 

Peace, Joy, and Love,

Janet

 

God’s plan is always the best!  Pass it on!

Pray for Marriages (A Pearl of Great Price)

Greetings Prayer Warriors,

 

Some of you reading this may really be struggling in your marriage.  You are experiencing an indescribable emotional pain that feels unique to your situation. You pray and you pray.

 

I am weary with crying out; my throat is parched. My eyes fail, from looking for my God. Psalms 69:4

 

You await a response, but your personal marital storm rages on!

 

Know that He who allows the storms to thunder, has the power to stop them. “Quiet! Be still!” Mark 4:39

 

However, even if He allows the storm to linger beyond your comfort, He calmly reassures you, "Be still and know that I am God!" Psalms 46:10

 

In this life, our love is tested, repeatedly.  Not just for our spouse, but for our God.  Will we stay true to our wedding vows and our promises to God?  Do we have enough faith to believe the Lord will sustain us?

 

Although now for a little while you may have to suffer through various trials, so that the genuineness of your faith, more precious than gold that is perishable even though tested by fire, may prove to be for praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.  1 Peter 1:6-7

 

Lord, together we pray for abundant grace to flow down upon marriages. May it penetrate the heart and mind of each spouse. In each trial, help each to release their pride so that the radiance of humility may shine. May each seek forgiveness and offer it in return. May they see that the pressures and strains they endured, produced in each of them a pearl of great price.  

 

For the Lamb who is in the center of the throne will shepherd them and lead them to springs of life-giving water, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.  Revelation 7:17

 

Jesus, we trust in You!

 

Peace, Joy, and Love,

Janet

 

Invite another to prayer. Pass it on! 

Pray for Families (Rend your Heart)

Greetings Prayer Warriors,

 

Lent has begun and some of you have already decided what you are going to give up or step up to do. Others perhaps are still struggling with what they should do for Lent.  In prayer and in quiet, ask the Lord what He would like you to offer him.  If you have the courage! ;-)

 

Oracle of the LORD—Return to me with your whole heart, with fasting, weeping, and mourning. Rend your hearts, not your garments, and return to the LORD, your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, abounding in steadfast love, and relenting in punishment. 

 

I am compelled to meditate on the “return to me” and “rend your hearts”.  Perhaps through prayerful contemplation, we may uncover wanderings we never considered.  A hyper-focus on self?  Inflated pride? Inappropriate thoughts? A failure to act? Harsh words about others? A heart hardened, in anger, resentment, and stubbornness? With a deep dive, we may even uncover life-long sins that we minimize and explain away.  Lent is the perfect time to rend our hearts, that they may be cleansed through God’s mercy and opened to His grace.

 

Spend time with the Lord by reading scripture, especially meditating on Jesus’ earthly ministry up through his Passion.  How did he interact with others?  What words did he use?  What was his temperament?  Continue to ask yourself these types of questions so that along with prayers, fasting, and almsgiving you can slowly conform your life to His. 

 

Imitating Christ, is the loudest prayer to the Lord and the most powerful witness to your family.  

 

You are the light of the world. A city set on a mountain cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and then put it under a bushel basket; it is set on a lampstand, where it gives light to all in the house. Just so, your light must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father.  Matthew 5:14-16

 

Let us continue to lift each other up in prayer, for the journey is arduous, but well worth the effort!

 

Peace, Joy, and Love,

Janet

 

We journey together, always!  Pass it on!

 

Pray for Marriages (Finding Joy in Sorrow)

Greetings Prayer Warriors, 

 

This life is such a blessing.  It is but a short journey to something well beyond grand. Something so wonderful, it is unfathomable to us. Thus, each day as we continue our walk, we should always be mindful of our heavenly destination.

 

However, one does not get through this life without carrying some type of cross or even several crosses.  They are difficult, painful, exhausting, and sometimes crushing.  Within a marriage, they can be extremely disheartening. But the Lord wants you to find joy in carrying your cross, as he found joy in His. For when it is united to His for the glory of God, joy will be its fruit. 

 

For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that be the will of God, than for doing evil. For Christ also suffered for sins once, the righteous for the sake of the unrighteous, that he might lead you to God. 1 Peter 3:17

 

So when you struggle, just offer your cross to Jesus as a sacrifice of praise and for the sanctification of the other.  In this way, your cross will seem lighter.  Remember J.O.Y., Just Offer Your _________ (suffering).

 

Lord, we so despise suffering!  Help us to find joy in the crosses that materialize in our marriage, for in your love, you are only trying to lead us into holiness.  Sanctify us, and sanctify our marriages.  Teach us to love our crosses, and embrace them with joy as you did. May we never entertain self-pity, but walk with J.O.Y. by offering our (pain, loneliness, betrayal, unhappiness, anger, etc. to you.)  

 

But rejoice to the extent that you share in the sufferings of Christ, so that when his glory is revealed you may also rejoice exultantly. 1 Peter 4:13

 

Pray for joy to abound in marriages!

 

Peace, Joy, and Love, 

Janet

 

Keep praying and pass it on!  

Pray for Families (Hope and Healing)

 

Greetings Prayer Warriors, 

 

Sometimes I catch myself bemoaning the evil in the world. Other times, I complain about all the division in this country.  And sometimes I worry about conflicts within my greater family. However, where my focus should be redirected, is at myself and the state of my soul. Am I in a state of grace?  Have I created, be it unintentionally or not, a division with God by sinning??  

 

As we approach Lent, perhaps now is a good time to refamiliarize ourselves with what constitutes a sin.  Since the reference to sin has been purged from everyday vocabulary, one might no longer think anything is a sin. One might be surprised by what they learn and how far they have strayed. This shouldn’t be a time of fear, but rejoicing that the Lord is merciful to all who have a contrite heart. 

I saw their ways, but I will heal them. I will lead them and restore full comfort to them and to those who mourn for them, creating words of comfort. Peace! Peace to those who are far and near, says the LORD; and I will heal them. Isaiah 57:18-19

 

Change in this world, in this country, and in our families, starts with us.  Let’s begin by reconciling first with the Lord, that we may bring His love, mercy, and truth into our families and spread it throughout this broken world. 

 

For I know well the plans I have in mind for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare and not for woe, so as to give you a future of hope. 

Jeremiah 29:11

 

Pray for your families. Pray for one another. Praying renews hope.

Peace, Joy, and Love,
Janet

Everyone needs prayer. Pass it on!

Pray for Marriages (Embracing the Mission)

Greetings Prayer Warriors,

 

Love is in the air.  In less than a week, Valentine’s Day, the day designated to really show one’s love for their sweetheart, will be celebrated with cards, flowers, dinners, and presents. While celebrating love is a wonderful thing, in God’s plan, expressing love for one’s spouse should be a daily occurrence. Yet, that is easier said than done!  For if true love is pouring one’s self out for the benefit of the other, sometimes we neither have the will nor the desire.  

 

However, we know what love should look like:

 

Love is patient, love is kind. It is not jealous, [love] is not pompous, it is not inflated, it is not rude, it does not seek its own interests, it is not quick-tempered, it does not brood over injury, it does not rejoice over wrongdoing but rejoices with the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. 1 Corinthians 13:4-7

 

This Love sounds super human!  But God, who is Love, is beyond measure!  Yet He desires to clothe us with His love. Let us pray this week that the Holy Spirit will fill married couples with grace, open their hearts, and weed out any self-love that has taken root. May new seeds be planted, the Son shine upon us, and the flowers of marital bliss bloom, bearing much fruit. 

 

The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Now those who belong to Christ [Jesus] have crucified their flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also follow the Spirit. Galatians 5:22-25

 

Embrace your vocation by embracing the mission:

 

Love one another. As I have loved you. John 13:34

 

Peace, Joy, and Love,

Janet

 

Clothe yourself with Love! Pass it on!

Pray for Families (Strengthened through Prayer)

 Greetings Prayer Warriors, 

 

Everyone has a family member that always needs a little extra prayer. Who might that be for you?  A relative you worry about a little more?  Someone who has veered off of the path of God?  Someone who seems to be in the midst of trials and tribulations?  Someone who is too introverted to ask for prayer, but you know could use it?  

 

Ask the Holy Spirit to show you who that person might be.  Maybe it will be the obvious, perhaps not.  Pray for them this weekend and beyond. For what would our life be like without the prayers of others who prayed for us when we never realized we needed it?

 

We do not cease praying for you and asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding to live in a manner worthy of the Lord, so as to be fully pleasing, in every good work bearing fruit and growing in the knowledge of God, strengthened with every power, in accord with his glorious might, for all endurance and patience, with joy. Colossians 1:9-11

 

Lord, hear the prayers of our heart as we beg for graces for those we love and care about! Strengthen them in their journey and show them the way!

 

I have the strength for everything through him who empowers me. Philippians 4:13

 

Peace, Joy, and Love,

Janet

 

Give someone the spiritual muscle to accept the hand of the Lord and journey on.  Pray and pass it on!  

 

Pray for Marriages (Awakening to Truth)

Greetings Prayer Warriors, 

 

Now the snake was the most cunning of all the wild animals that the LORD God had made. He asked the woman, “Did God really say, ‘You shall not eat from any of the trees in the garden’?” The woman answered the snake: “We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden; it is only about the fruit of the tree in the middle of the garden that God said, ‘You shall not eat it or even touch it, or else you will die.’” But the snake said to the woman: “You certainly will not die! God knows well that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened and you will be like gods, who know good and evil.” 

Genesis 3:1-5

 

Here we see the snake, lie, deceive, and distort. The Lord gave the first couple just ONE commandment, yet Satan was so cunning, he confused them by twisting the truth and making them doubt Truth himself.  He insinuated that by disobeying God, they would be like gods.  He even promised them, “you certainly will not die” yet by sinning, their souls were indeed in jeopardy of attaining eternal life! 

 

Satan doesn’t change, as he continues today by inverting everything.  Evil is good and good is evil.  The truth is a lie and a lie is the truth.  Seek your own “truth” he whispers. Seek what is good for yourself, not for the other. This is the modern-day version of being one’s own god. This leads to self-love (imitation of Satan) and creates division within a marriage.  

 

“Every kingdom divided against itself will be laid waste and house will fall against house. Luke 11:17

 

Yet we are called to self-giving love (imitation of Christ).

 

Let all awaken to all the ways that Satan tries to ensnare us.  Let us be on guard for the lies he tries to make us believe. Let us weed out the hate he tries to sow. Let us reject the guilt he stirs up, about past sins already forgiven. Bind yourself to the Truth.

 

We need Christ.  We need his grace, his blessings, and his mercy. Prayer changes hearts.  Time in prayer is time that can’t be wasted on useless pleasures.  By praying for marriages, we weaken Satan’s power to destroy them.  Let our prayer be the devil’s kryptonite!

 

Peace, Joy, and Love,

Janet

 

Stay in prayer.  It drives the Evil One crazy!   Pass it on!