Pray for Families (Ripples of Goodness)

Greetings Prayer Warriors,

 

Life seems to be a journey of seeking virtue and wrestling with vices. However, in the world today, it appears that there is massive spiritual disorientation as people are embracing vices and mocking virtue. The more God is denied, pushed to the side, and blasphemed, the more Satan’s influence captures souls as people willingly but perhaps unwittingly acquiesce.

 

There are six things the LORD hates, yes, seven are an abomination to him; haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that plots wicked schemes, feet that are quick to run to evil, the false witness who utters lies, and the one who sows discord among kindred. 

Proverbs 6:16-19

 

Good works ripple out, but so do evil deeds. To change the world (beginning in our family), we need to BE goodness itself. We must imitate Christ. While those at home may close their ears to what you say, their eyes won’t deceive them. What one sees imprints on their memory. May your ongoing witness of goodness, eventually lead them back toward God. May we witness to the world with our words, our works, and our compassion, even when faced with evil.

 

You were running well; who hindered you from following [the] truth? That enticement does not come from the one who called you. Galatians 5:7-8

 

We lift up our families to you, Lord. We pray for those who can’t, don’t, or won’t hear Your voice. May they see, feel, and experience Your love through us. Protect them from the deceptions of the Evil One by helping them come to know and engage with the Truth. With your grace, keep them from stumbling and help them to reject sin and instead grow in virtue. As we join together, guide us all to our one true Treasure, so we may live eternally with You in heaven. Amen.

 

Peace, Joy, and Love,

Janet

 

Be the light in this darkness. Pass it on! 

Pray for Marriages (Changing Perspectives)

Greetings Prayer Warriors,

 

When I contemplate that God called the entirety of His creation “very good” (which seems like an understatement), He must have considered man, made in His image and likeness, to whom He gave dominion over everything, His masterpiece.  

 

I praise you, because I am wonderfully made; wonderful are your works! Psalms 139:14

 

Each one of us is a unique and treasured original. Even your spouse, is God’s beloved masterpiece. Maybe you are complaining that you wanted a Rembrandt, but got a Matisse. You understand a Monet, but are disoriented by a Picasso. But aren’t your horizons broadened when you explore what you don’t understand?  The Lord knows what you need.  Perhaps you just have to spend time studying your masterpiece to be able to appreciate their unique characteristics, the various moods they evoke, their spectrum of vibrancy, and what their light is meant to reflect. Do you spend too much time focusing narcissistically inward versus gazing outwardly, contemplating each aspect of His masterpiece?  

 

Have you ever gone to an art exhibit and not been enthralled by a painting until you rented the audio player that described the entire painting to you from the artist’s perspective? Perhaps we need to spend more time gazing at our spouse/masterpiece, praying to God for enlightenment, and silently listening to the Lord’s commentary. Could the boldness of one spouse be meant to balance the softness of the other? Could the sharpness of one, be a nice contrast to the soft strokes and calming colors of the other? Could the brilliant light of one help illuminate the beautiful subtleties of the other? Could be.  

 

For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my way, says the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, my thoughts higher than your thoughts. Isaiah 55:8-9

 

Let us continue to spiritually join our prayers together for abundant blessings on marriages.

 

Lord, how often we are unappreciative of the differences you have blessed us with. Help us to appreciate all the internal and external beauty bestowed upon us. Help us to see our spouses, (or future spouses) as you see them, so that we may be in awe of the Creator. Open our eyes, our hearts, our minds, and our bodies to embrace those to whom we have pledged our love.  Help us to gain new perspectives as we wipe away the old misperceptions, hurts, and grudges. Be the Docent of our lives, perfecting the eye of the beholder, and thus leading us into perfect union. Jesus, we place all our trust in You. Amen.  

 

Peace, Joy, and Love,

Janet

 

Your spouse is God’s stroke of genius! Pass it on!

Pray for Marriages (With Children)

Greetings Prayer Warriors,

There are certain events that are inflection points in a marriage.  One of them is parenthood.  Going from “we” to “all of us” is an adjustment to say the least. Two-dimensional love grows to three-dimensions, which is beautiful, but then a third dimension of one’s personality appears and spouses can look at each other and say, “I never knew that about you!” (Good and bad) To keep the marriage on track, strong communication and sensitivity will be key, because the next two decades will be filled with landmines. 

 

“Lovie, the baby’s crying.”  Reply: Arrg! You woke me up to tell me?? (Choice words exchanged) Resentment may follow. 

“Babe, I need you to drive carpool in the morning because I have a meeting.” Reply: “But so do I!”  Difficult conversation to follow. 

Honey, where’s Taylor tonight?  Reply: “Went to a party.” Response: “Whose party?  Where?” Reply: “I dunno. Didn’t ask.“ (Rage after stunned silence.) 

Empty nesters.  “Have any of the kids called lately?”  Response: “No.”  (Feel the emptiness.) What remains, two strangers or two lovers?

 

I declare and testify in the Lord that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds; darkened in understanding, alienated from the life of God because of their ignorance, because of their hardness of heart. Ephesians 4:17-18

 

Lord, marriage is such a blessing, and when children arrive, we praise your goodness! Help us to realize that on the path you place us, we will find all the opportunities (graces) needed to grow in holiness. You don’t ask for perfection, but holiness.  May we not resist when you try to root out our selfishness, impatience, vanity, pride, and self-righteousness. Help us to grow in love, humility, kindness, temperance, patience, perseverance, and faith.  May we not fear the potholes that jar us, nor resist the detours that change our perspective, and nor curse unexpected earthquakes that beg a change in our lives, for if we stay anchored to you, our Rock, nothing will shake us. We ask for a double portion of blessings on marriages with children.  Despite our missteps, stumbles, and regrets, may we honor you as we progress from “I do!” to “I will!”

 

I, then, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to live in a manner worthy of the call you have received, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another through love, striving to preserve the unity of the spirit through the bond of peace: one body and one Spirit, as you were also called to the one hope of your call. Ephesians 4:1-4

 

Peace, Joy, and Love,

Janet

 

Hope does not disappoint. Pass it on!  

Pray for Families (Pray, Repeat)

Greetings Prayer Warriors,

 

I didn’t get my reminder out to you to pray this past Friday.  The question is, have you made it a habit yet to pray for Families on Fridays (or at least once/week)??  It is said that to form a habit it only takes 3 weeks. With 11+ years of reminders, it is habit yet?  If not, perhaps that is where you should focus your prayer!

 

For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears turned to their prayer. 1 Peter 3:12

 

Let us pray for each other’s righteousness!

 

Pray for one another, that you may be healed. The fervent prayer of a righteous person is very powerful.  James 5:16

 

Amen!  

 

Peace, Joy, and Love,

Janet

 

Pray for someone and pass it on! 

Pray for Marriages (Perseverance x 2)

Greetings Prayer Warriors,

 

Many are in very difficult and painful marriages. It is normal to question whether the Lord wants to keep you in that particular union or if the difficult journey is one He chose just for you, for He desires your sanctification. Each individual must discern through prayer just what God’s will is for their life and for their marriage. 

 

Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will preserve it for eternal life. Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there also will my servant be. The Father will honor whoever serves me. John 12:25-26

 

Let us pray for the ability to persevere on the path the Lord sets before each one of us. Let’s put this in perspective. Judas Iscariot was a chosen by Christ to be one of 12 apostles. As a result, he was able to heal the sick, raise the dead, and perform many other miracles in His name. Yet, he didn’t persevere, nor did he seek the mercy that He witnessed the Lord so generously give on a daily basis. We know our weaknesses, which is why we pray!

 

I know, my God, that you put hearts to the test and that you take pleasure in integrity. 1 Chronicles 29:17

 

Lord, bless each prayer warrior and those they pray for with the virtue of perseverance. May all see many flowers of your love along their journey as a sign of your encouragement. May each step they take, each “yes”, be a sign of their love. When they stumble and fall (which undoubtedly will happen), may the knowledge of your mercy propel them to their knees in seeking forgiveness. Give all the strength to rise again and continue their journey.  Be the medicine for their wounds, heal their memories, and strengthen their desire to please you. Lord, save each marriage and preserve them from the attacks from the Evil One. Hear our prayers and grant them. Amen.

 

Peace, Joy, and Love,

Janet

  

Persevere in prayer too!! Pass it on! 

 

Pray for Families (The Merciful Do-over)

Greetings Prayer Warriors,

 

How often when we look back at our past or even just yesterday, we wish we had a “do-over”.  Time brings about both perspective and maturity.  If only we could have made better choices, swallowed our pride, made amends, and so on and so forth, life would have turned out differently.  Or, if only _____ would have realized my apology was sincere and forgiven me.

 

Even the apostles dreamed of “do-overs”.  Take Peter.  As he warmed himself by the charcoal fire* in the courtyard in which Jesus was being accused, when questioned, He denied he even knew Jesus, not once but three times. While betrayal is horrific, most can relate to Peter’s resultant anguish, the anguish one feels when they hurt someone they dearly love. 

 

Yet, in an epic act of mercy, Jesus, after his resurrection, guides Peter through a “do-over”.

 

When they climbed out on shore, they saw a charcoal fire with fish on it and bread. Jesus said to them, “Come, have breakfast.” When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.” He then said to him a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.” He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was distressed that he had said to him a third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” John 21:9,12, 15-:17

 

This chance to affirm his love for Jesus three times must have brought about tremendous healing to Peter. We too are called to be merciful channels of God’s grace; active participants of forgiveness to bring forth the healing balm of Christ’s love. Let us begin by humbling ourselves within our family, and forgiving those who trespass against us.

 

Lord, may we imitate your extraordinary forgiveness, letting go of our own hurt to allow your mercy to flow through us to the offender. May we learn to forgive ourselves for all of our offenses, seeking to make amends wherever possible. May we tear down familial walls of division, building instead bridges to facilitate unity. Merciful Savior, send torrents of grace into our families, softening the hearts of all, allowing for contrition, forgiveness, and reconciliation. Jesus, we trust in you! Amen.

 

“I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’* I did not come to call the righteous but sinners.” Matthew 9:13

 

Peace, Joy, and Love, 

Janet

 

Mercy and forgiveness heal wounds. Thus, pass it on! 

 

*John. 18:18

Pray for Marriages (Forgiveness and Mercy)

Greetings Prayer Warriors, 

 

Alleluia, alleluia! As the joy of Easter continues, we have much to celebrate as we journey on toward Pentecost. Along the way are beautiful flowers, like Divine Mercy Sunday, celebrating the unfathomable love and mercy of Jesus. The Lord asked St. Faustina to share with the world that no sin is greater than the depth of His mercy. What a gift!

 

To receive mercy, we need to be merciful. Perhaps one starts in their marriage by letting go of past hurts that are easy to pick back up and use as a weapon. Toss the weapon and say, “I forgive you,” and mean it.  Ask the Lord to show you where unforgiveness abounds in your marriage and resolve to be merciful.

 

When you stand to pray, forgive anyone against whom you have a grievance, so that your heavenly Father may in turn forgive you your transgressions.” Mark 11:25

 

Then, seek the Lord’s mercy. It’s as easy as A-B-C.  

 

Ask for mercy

Be merciful in word, deed, and prayer

Completely trust in Jesus

 

Be merciful, just as [also] your Father is merciful. Luke 6:36

 

Lord, help us with your grace to let go of grudges, and instead, lead with mercy. When we desire to throw verbal arrows, silence us by emptying our quiver. When we desire to withhold our love, break the dam we’ve built in our heart that love might instead overflow. May we be transformed by our prayers for others, especially those who have hurt us in any way.  As we tentatively wade in the ocean of your mercy, may waves of love embolden our trust in You!  

 

Peace, Joy, and Love,

Janet

 

Don’t forget your A-B-C’s. Pass it on!  

Pray for Families (Prayer is Love)

Greetings Prayer Warriors,

• Find some quiet time before Easter Sunday.
• Gaze upon the cross.
• Meditate on what TRUE love looks like.

As I have loved you, so you also should love one another.  John 13:34

 

Imitating that love, will transform your family.  That, is prayer in action. 

 

As for me and my household, we will serve the LORD.”  Joshua 24:15

 

And my soul shall live for Him…Psalm 22:31

Praying for an outpouring of grace upon your families on Easter!

 

Peace, Joy, and Love, 

Janet

 

Love.  It’s meant to pass on. So, what are you waiting for?