Pray for Marriages (In the Stillness)

Greetings Prayer Warriors,

 

This is for all of you who are hurting right now and exhausted by the “battle”.  Perhaps you struggle mightily in your marriage.  Or maybe you carry the pain of a divorce or scars from an unhealthy marriage.  Perhaps you have lost hope and think divorce is the only option. Alternatively, you may be contemplating marriage and you just aren’t sure.  The Lord listens, and the Lord speaks. He calls to you rest. 

“Be still and know that I am God!” 

   Psalms 46:10

 

And in that stillness, rest and pray. Listen to that quiet voice, tender and soothing. 

 

"I AM WHO I AM.  Exodus 3:14

 

You never journey alone. May our collective intercessory prayers rise up fragrantly to call down upon you blessings of peace, healing, and hope.

 

Peace, Joy, and Love,

Janet

 

Compassion comes in many forms. Pass it on! 

Pray for Families (Make Way for the Light)

Greetings Prayer Warriors, 

 

Lent is a great time to reflect upon one’s life, especially where we have fallen short. The purpose is not to beat yourself up, but to amend your ways so that by living in the will of God, your life glorifies Him.  Change requires grace, and grace is the fruit of prayer and partaking of the sacraments. In a year where it has become increasingly difficult to access the sacraments, prayer becomes all the more important. If you can receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation, do so! If not pray, pray, pray!

 

Come and hear, all you who fear God, while I recount what has been done for me. I called to him with my mouth; praise was upon my tongue. Had I cherished evil in my heart, the Lord would not have heard. But God did hear and listened to my voice in prayer. Blessed be God, who did not reject my prayer and refuse his mercy.  Psalms 66:16-20

 

Settle your body and mind and spend some quiet time with the Lord. Express your sorrow by acknowledging your sins, promise to amend your life and ask for an outpouring of His grace to help you do so. 

“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives; and the one who seeks, finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.”

Matthew 7:7-8

 

Being a reflection of God to your family will be more powerful than any words you can say. Living a holy life is the most powerful intercessory prayer!

 

Your light must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father. Matthew 5:16

 

Peace, Joy, and Love,

Janet

 

Become a light in this darkness! Pass it on! 

Pray for Marriages (Fulfilling the Divine Plan)

Greetings Prayer Warriors, 

 

Do you ever ponder God’s plan? Why did he create man and woman? Why did he create covenantal marriage? Why were children necessary? Why, why, why?!  The questions really are endless. I will leave the real answers to the theologians, but my mind wanders as I ponder.

 

God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. Genesis 1:27

 

God must have wanted us to be a reflection of Him; His purity, His humility, His gentleness, His faith, His charity...His Supreme Good. He created complementary sexes, each with a unique role and unique gifts that shine forth from their assigned gender. 

 

And the two shall become one flesh. Ephesians 5:31

 

And the two, shall become One.  A reflection of God.

 

God blessed them; and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it; and rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over every living thing that moves on the earth.” 

Genesis 1:28

 

Reproduction is an expectation. God expects the multiplication of the blessing and gifts given. His love is meant to pass through the generations. When couples become parents, the virtues of humility, patience, and gentleness are forced to grow. Kids humble us. They speak truth. Through them, we are slowly refined into His image. As we work to protect and provide for our family’s needs, the blood, sweat and tears of our labor, bring to mind the crucifixion and Christ’s pieced heart flowing with blood and water. We are called to die to self so that charity will flow. And man is to rule the earth…with love. 

 

Lord, help us to surrender to and fulfill your Divine Plan for marriage and family.  We are perfected not just by our children, but even more so by our spouse. As you refine us like gold and silver, may we not run from the heat, but yield to its purification, as we are touched by the fire of the Holy Spirit.  May we remain open to life, and not reject the gifts you want to give. And as we age, may we never take life, but allow the sanctifying process through which you eventually call each of us home. Lord, support us on this long journey of love and life! Your mercy lifts us from the pit of despair and your love quenches all desires. Bless all marriages so that all may glorify the Heart that never stops beating for us.  Amen.

 

Peace, Joy, and Love,

Janet

 

Keep praying that love and mercy may abound in marriages. Pass it on! 

Pray for Families (Fatherhood and St. Joseph)

Greetings Prayer Warriors, 

 

As our culture and norms dissolve and sinful behaviors that shackle us spiritually are considered real freedom, we must increase our prayer. As fatherhood is deemed inconsequential, and children grow up without fathers, is there any wonder that society is shifting into “delinquency”? Who better to call on than St. Joseph, Terror of Demons, to protect the family and intercede on behalf of our families?  Please pray this litany often on this feast of St Joseph and during this year of St. Joseph. 

 

Lord, have mercy.	Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.	Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.	Lord, have mercy.
God our Father in heaven,	have mercy on us.
God the Son, Redeemer of the world,	have mercy on us.
God the Holy Spirit,	have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, one God,	have mercy on us.
Holy Mary,	pray for us.
Saint Joseph,	pray for us.
Noble son of the House of David,	pray for us.
Light of patriarchs,	pray for us.
Husband of the Mother of God,	pray for us.
Guardian of the Virgin,	pray for us.
Foster father of the Son of God,	pray for us.
Faithful guardian of Christ,	pray for us.
Head of the Holy Family,	pray for us.
Joseph, chaste and just,	pray for us.
Joseph, prudent and brave,	pray for us.
Joseph, obedient and loyal,	pray for us.
Pattern of patience,	pray for us.
Lover of poverty,	pray for us.
Model of workers,	pray for us.
Example to parents,	pray for us.
Guardian of virgins,	pray for us.
Pillar of family life,	pray for us.
Comfort of the troubled,	pray for us.
Hope of the sick,	pray for us.
Patron of the dying,	pray for us.
Terror of evil spirits,	pray for us.
Protector of the Church,	pray for us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world,	have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world,	have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world,	have mercy on us.
God made him master of his household,	And put him in charge of all that he owned.

Let us pray.

O God, who in your inexpressible providence were pleased to choose Saint Joseph as spouse of the most holy Mother of your Son, grant, we pray, that we, who revere him as our protector on earth, may be worthy of his heavenly intercession. Through Christ our Lord.  R/. Amen.

 

Pray without ceasing.  1 Thessalonians 5:17

 

Peace, Joy, and Love,

Janet

 

God always wins.  Keep the faith!!  Pass it on!  

Pray for Marriages (Make it New!)

Greetings Prayer Warriors,

Pick a marriage this week (it’s okay if it’s your own) and pray for its renewal, with complete humility of heart and trust that the Lord will hear your prayers. 

“Behold, I make all things new.” Then he said, “Write these words down, for they are trustworthy and true.” Revelation 21:5

 

Know that miracles can and do occur.  Keep the faith.  We are all praying for you and your marriage. May His amazing grace sustain you!

 

Peace, Joy, and Love,

Janet

 

Keep the faith and pass it on! 

Pray for Families (Loving More)

Greetings Prayer Warriors,

 

How is your Lent going? Did you decide to make some type of sacrifice?  For those slow adopters, there is still time!  Perhaps you are indecisive as to what to do?  Consider…

 

“Which is the first of all the commandments?” Jesus replied, “The first is this: ‘Hear, O Israel! The Lord our God is Lord alone! You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” And ‘to love him with all your heart, with all your understanding, with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself’ is worth more than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.” Mark 12:28-31, 33

 

The last phrase begs for attention. It implies that the best Lenten “sacrifice” is to love more.  Not just those who love you, but those whom you find unlovable. Yes, those persons.  In doing so, you will be loving God in the deepest way. You might prefer to give up chocolate, but who will that benefit?  

 

Let us continue to pray for one another, that our Lenten penances and sacrifices will be most pleasing to the Lord.  

Lord, give us the grace to stay the course! (Repeat x 2) Amen!

 

Peace, Joy, and Love,

Janet

 

Love someone and pass it on! 

 

Pray for Marriages (Allowing for SonShine)

Greetings Prayer Warriors,

 

Relationships in general can range from delightful to difficult based on how much time you spend with an individual.  But when talking about marriage which is meant to be a life-long commitment, continually being around the same person can bring out the best and worst in us.  It’s interesting how when the worst is brought out in us, releasing our own personal demons, we always blame the other.  Now that’s worth contemplating!

 

Heal me, LORD, that I may be healed; save me, that I may be saved, for you are my praise. Jeremiah 17:14

 

We can never change the other.  But God can.  We just have to get out of His way!  Interestingly though, we have to start by changing us!  By that I mean we first have to assent to His Divine Will in our lives. Then, we must focus on the other (i.e. spouse) not self (our hurt, our pain, our needs, etc.) Then we must empty ourselves (purge!) our Deadly Sins so that in being emptied, the light of Christ may fill us and shine forth to our spouse. In the end, we will both be transformed. 

 

Find your delight in the LORD who will give you your heart’s desire. Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him and he will act and make your righteousness shine like the dawn, your justice like noonday. Be still before the LORD; wait for him.  Psalm 37:4-7

 

All is possible with prayer; copious prayer!  The good news is we have an army of prayer warriors, and we accept new recruits all the time!! Let us pray!

 

Lord, sometimes it seems easier to stay angry, hurt, disappointed, snarky, and self-righteous.  However, we delude ourselves when we seek to wear all these emotions as armor, as if they will ever protect us or play a role in us winning the battle and gaining the love we seek.  We know not how to love without You who are Love itself. You have a plan for each marriage so give us the grace to conform to your Will. Help us to understand before seeking to be understood. Help us to release our bruised pride, unbridled anger, desire for worldly things, and all those sins that bind us to the world rather than your tender and Sacred Heart.  May rivers of your mercy flow upon us all, washing away the sludge that blocks your Light from shining through us.  Lord, we are asking for months of Sonshine to allow marriages to blossom for your glory! May all praise be yours. Amen.

 

Peace, Joy, and Love,

Janet

 

Recruit a warrior. Pass it on!!  

 

Pray for Families (Accepting the Gift)

Greetings Prayer Warriors,

 

Have you ever been in a restaurant or drive-through and you learned that the person ahead of you paid for your order?  What a surprise to receive a “gift” that you didn’t pay for!  You gladly accept it.  It even makes you want to pay it forward!

 

Consider then that your salvation was purchased for a price, a very large price; Christ’s death. Not just any death; the cruelest of deaths. This is the most generous gift you will ever receive in your life.  Do you accept this gift of salvation? Do you consider paying it forward by spreading the Good News?  Or, do you hesitate remembering Christ said to “follow me”?

 

This is the point where most of us get stuck. We instead tend to focus our worry on the salvation of all of our family members. Perhaps it’s because it is much easier to look externally than internally.  Their salvation was already purchased as well.  They also have to decide to accept the cross. The question is, have we picked up our cross and mirrored the joy and freedom that results when we follow Him? That is the faith in action, the living prayer that delights the Lord the most. 

 

“Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men.” Matthew 4:19

 

Whoever does not take up his cross and follow after me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.  Matthew 10:38-39

 

We continue to pray because we all lack the courage to step out of our comfort zone.  We pray because when difficult decisions face us, our faith begins to dim. We pray because faith without works is dead.*  We pray because we don’t love the  Lord as we really should. We pray, because we really do want all to accept the greatest gift ever given.

 

Lord, hear the prayers from our hearts as they rise up to you right now.  May the gifts of your mercy and grace enflame our hearts, and give us the courage, faith, and desire to bring souls to you! Amen.

 

Peace, Joy, and Love,

Janet

 

Pray for all to accept the gift and pray it forward! Pass it on!  

 

* James 2:26

Pray for Marriages (Desert Sanctification)

Greetings Prayer Warriors,

Holiness is something that seems very attainable when you’re in the midst of marital bliss, where every day feels like a spring garden full of beautiful and fragrant blooms.  However, when the the marital landscape feels like an endless wandering through a dry, withering and parched desert, holiness can seem very out of reach. 

 

The “desert” can have many appearances. It can be an extended time ministering to a spouse with an acute or chronic illness, a shifting from feeling highly compatible with your spouse to incompatible, constant disagreements on how to parent, financial disagreements, etc. While one might be tempted to think of these as punishments from God, they are just the opposite.  They are gifts which move you forward in the path to sanctification.  They are opportunities to offer to the Lord beautiful sacrifices of the heart. They are an opportunity to humble yourself and see Christ in the other. Rather than holiness being out of reach, it actually is within reach!

 

Blessed are those who trust in the LORD; the LORD will be their trust. They are like a tree planted beside the waters that stretches out its roots to the stream: It does not fear heat when it comes, its leaves stay green; In the year of drought it shows no distress, but still produces fruit. Jeremiah 17:7-8

 

Loving the desert however, doesn’t come naturally.  Thus, being warriors of prayer, we are going to pray for such couples. 

 

Lord, in our very nothingness, we come before you in humility.  We pray with all our strength that you will shower down your grace, like rain upon the cracked soil of hearts severely parched. By your Word, may you provide shade from the scorching heat of their daily existence. Even flowers bloom in the desert, so allow such delight to spring forth. Help them to see that deserts aren’t perpetual, but your Love is.  May they serve you as they minister to their spouse, bringing them joy in the very cross of their sanctification. 

 

“As he who called you is holy, be holy yourselves in every aspect of your conduct, for it is written, “Be holy because I [am] holy.” 1 Peter 1:15

 

Peace, Joy, and Love,

Janet

 

When the heat overwhelms you, put on some Son-screen!  Pass it on!