Pray for Marriages (Imitating Christ)

Greetings Prayer Warriors,

 

Love is a funny thing. Sometimes the very qualities that attract us to our spouses are the same ones that later repel us.  As we each struggle in our humanity and dwell in our self-righteousness, we often say and do things that we ought not to.  If we don’t stay tethered to Christ, the Evil One enters in to stoke our anger, bitterness, resentment, jealousy, and hurt. Unchecked, these vices simmer up to a boil and we can unintentionally cause wounds that can have lasting scars. When the pot has boiled over, our foolish pride gets in the way of any reconciliation.

 

Be angry but do not sin; do not let the sun set on your anger, and do not leave room for the devil.  Ephesians 4:26

 

Left to our own senses, we will fail every time.  But yoked to Christ, we can learn from him. He never returned verbal slings with a snide retort, but always responded in kindness.  When ignored, he sought out that very person and showed attentiveness with his presence. When people were angry and resentful toward him, he healed their hearts with his compassion. When those he loved betrayed him, he extended his forgiveness.

 

No foul language should come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for needed edification, that it may impart grace to those who hear. And do not grieve the holy Spirit of God, with which you were sealed for the day of redemption. All bitterness, fury, anger, shouting, and reviling must be removed from you, along with all malice. [And] be kind to one another, compassionate, forgiving one another as God has forgiven you in Christ.  Ephesians 4:29-32

 

Learning to imitate Christ is a life-long journey.  Within the vocation of marriage, He has provided us with an amazing classroom and the opportunity to be on a pilgrimage of unparalleled graces. There will be mountains to climb, crevasses we fall into, thorns that pierce us, and valleys we will descend into.  However, with faith, we will come to know that He always provides us a helping hand, signs to guide us, and lots of lifelines. During the ascent we will experience the beautiful wildflowers, cooling showers of mercy, clear skies of understanding, and heartwarming Son-shine.  Like any journey, it shapes us and makes us better for having taken it.  Proceed with a grateful heart and lips that never stops praising, praying, and giving thanks.

 

Peace, Joy, and Love,

Janet

 
Commit to the challenge. Imitate Christ and pass it on!  

Pray for Families. (The Fruit of Perseverance)

Greetings Prayer Warriors,

 

God bestowed gifts upon each of us for the building up of his kingdom. To mothers, he gave warm and loving hearts for their children. A good mother nurtures and guides her children raising them up in the Lord. Yet as children mature in age, they often wander from their spiritual roots, and a mother’s heart is pierced. 

 

Can a mother forget her infant, be without tenderness for the child of her womb? Isaiah 49:15

 

If your heart has been pierced, it’s beautiful to reflect on the strength and perseverance of St. Monica’s prayer life. While her pleading words to her wayward son fell on deaf ears, (he was far from the Lord and kept a mistress) her copious tears and heartfelt prayers were collected by the Lord as if beautiful pearls. God heard every word, collected every tear, and responded to her pleas with copious grace for her son.

 

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. Rev 7:17

 

Sometimes the hardest thing is to trust the Lord when He seems slow to answer.  Saint Monica waited 15 years. Yet, when the Lord answered, it was in a big way! (For those who don’t know, her son eventually repented of his ways, became a bishop, and is now SAINT Augustine!

 

Lord we know our weaknesses and limitations.  We often lament that you don’t hear our prayers.  Help us to be mindful that you don’t have a hearing problem, that you do share in our sorrow, and that you love our children even more that we do!  Give us the strength to persevere in prayer. May our prayers be received as a fragrant incense before the Lord. Fortify our faith, that we may confidently be the beggar at the feet of our Lord, knowing that He will one day respond in wonderous ways beyond our imagination. Amen.

 

Indeed we call blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of the perseverance of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, because “the Lord is compassionate and merciful.” James 5:11

 

Perseverance is a holy and beautiful thing! Keep the faith, remain in prayer, and keep the faith!

 

Peace, Joy, and Love,

Janet

 

United in prayer, we pump up the volume! Turn it up by passing it on!  

Pray for Marriages (Roadside Assistance)

Greetings Prayer Warriors,

 

Have you ever just felt stuck in your marriage, in that you just weren’t sure what to do next to get out of your rut? I would imagine it’s very common.  Just like driving a car, it seems like all is well and then suddenly you hear “pop!” and then thumpedy- thump!  You realize you can make a quick repair or use the joke of a teeny spare, but if you want to get back to humming down the highway, you need an expert repair. 

 

In marriage, we do a lot of patchwork too, and it gets us through the day, the week, or perhaps even months. But if we want true healing and unification, we have to call in the Healer of Hearts, the King of Kings, The Prince of Peace.  He hears our pleading, crying, and desperation.  In His compassion, he pours out his love upon us. It gives us the courage and perseverance to continue on.

 

I raise my eyes toward the mountains. from whence shall come my help? My help comes from the LORD, the maker of heaven and earth.  Psalm 121:1-2

 

However, He doesn’t promise a quick fix, as he knows some injuries may benefit from a long healing time.

 

The LORD is good to those who trust in him, to the one that seeks him; It is good to hope in silence for the LORD’s deliverance.  Lamentations 3:25-26

 

Lord, we pray for those marriage that have had a major blow-out as well as those just slowly losing their air. Both present challenges, but nothing is greater than your healing power and merciful love. Use such trials for their greater good, to infuse new life and fresh oxygen into these marriages. Hear the collective voices of these road warriors of prayer. We beseech you to grant each one patience, fortitude, endurance, and most of all, hope and faith never-ending assistance.

 

O LORD, my God, I cried out to you for help and you healed me. Psalm 30:2

 

Peace, Joy, and Love,

Janet 

 

He longs to restore you!  Pass it on! 

 

Pray for Families (Seeking His Voice)

Greetings Prayer Warriors, 

 

So often in life we are at a crossroads and wonder, what’s the best direction or what should we do next?  Perhaps it is a situation with a child, a pressing family issue, or a major decision that could change the course of our life.  The weight of such decisions can be paralyzing, However, are we asking the Lord to help and guide us?  Do we seek Him in the Word, that we might hear His voice?  He wants to mobilize us!

 

“Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for yourselves. For my yoke is easy, and my burden light.”  Matthew 11:28-30

 

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

 

I will instruct you and show you the way you should walk, give you counsel with my eye upon you. Psalm 32:8

 

The Lord’s gaze never leaves us. He hears every utterance, even from the silence of our pain. He leads us, guides us, and encourages us to let go of our old, useless baggage. 

 

Let us continue to pray for one another, that we will complete the journey.  When life’s burdens are great, may we have the humility to ask, the courage to knock, and the wisdom to seek Him in the Word. 

 

Peace, Joy, and Love,

Janet

 

Be a seeker and a knocker. Ask someone to join us in prayer! Pass it on!  

 

Pray for Marriages (An Antidote for Loneliness and Heartache)

 Greetings Prayer Warriors,

 

My joy abounds when I see marriages that enjoy length of years while radiating what a good, nurturing, and holy marriage looks like. 

 

Conversely, my heart sinks when I hear of marriages that ache of loneliness and heartache.

To those who are struggling, may your hope abound!  

 

Blessed the one whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the LORD, his God.  Psalm 146:5

 

For your husband is your Maker; the LORD of hosts is his name, your redeemer, the Holy One of Israel, called God of all the earth. Isaiah 54: 5

 

Lord, there is one reading this right now, who carries great sadness regarding the state of their marriage. They may feel helpless, alone, angry, bitter, betrayed, empty, frustrated, apathetic, fearful, depressed, perplexed, abandoned emotionally, or ignored physically. Whether it’s all of the above or none of the above, may they feel your inextinguishable love for them. Whatever emotional pain they are experiencing, I ask you to enter in and be with them. May they know that you will never abandon them. May they feel you holding them as your most precious beloved. Heal their heart. Lovingly knit their marriage back together, forming a beautiful tapestry, a reflection of your amazing handiwork. Amen.

 

I will betroth you to me forever: I will betroth you to me with justice and with judgment, with loyalty and with compassion; I will betroth you to me with fidelity, and you shall know the LORD.  Hosea 2:21-22

 

May our collective prayers rise up to heaven as a beautiful offering for those marriages in most need of blessings, transformation, and grace!  And hope will not disappoint, for…

 

They shall be called “The Holy People,” “The Redeemed of the LORD.” And you shall be called “Cared For,” “A City Not Forsaken”.  Isaiah 62:12

 

Peace, Joy, and Love,

Janet

 

Know someone in a difficult marriage? Pass it on! 

Pray for Families (True Freedom)

Greetings Prayer Warriors,

 

The schemes of the Evil One can be so subtle and his tactics so innocuous they we don’t know when we are being played. Consider his achievements over the decades: dividing the family, destroying not only marriages, but the institution of marriage as ordained by God, destabilizing the family, moving sex outside of marriage and making it normative, and the acceptance of birth-control,  abortion, and euthanasia. Yet, he blinds us from even seeing that these things are bad by flying the banner of “progress” and “freedom”.  Our only freedom however, is in Jesus Christ.

 

For you were called for freedom, brothers. But do not use this freedom as an opportunity for the flesh; rather, serve one another through love. 

Galatians 5:13

 

Are you aware of Satan’s latest tactic? Remember, he is the father of lies and loves to sow fear and division. How many are experiencing a discord between family and friends; the vaccinated versus the unvaccinated? Are you fearful?  Which lies do you believe?  Are you separating yourselves from others??  Satan really hopes so!  He gains power in your fear!   

 

Trust in the LORD with all your heart, on your own intelligence do not rely.  Proverbs 3:5

 

What “freedoms” are you willing to give up to allay your fear??  Do you think you’ll get those freedoms back once you give them up?

 

Do not call conspiracy what this people calls conspiracy, nor fear what they fear, nor feel dread. But conspire with the LORD of hosts; he shall be your fear, he shall be your dread.  Isaiah 8:12-13

 

I encourage you, that no matter what you believe, to listen.  Listen to each other, and more importantly, listen to the Lord.  Be a soldier of Christ, so that he may build up his army! The time is now, for a battle is raging for your soul and the souls of your loved ones. 

 

Finally, draw your strength from the Lord and from his mighty power. Put on the armor of God so that you may be able to stand firm against the tactics of the devil. For our struggle is not with flesh and blood but with the principalities, with the powers, with the world rulers of this present darkness, with the evil spirits in the heavens.  Ephesians 6:10-12

 

I am praying for you.  Pray for your family and be at peace. 

 

Peace, Joy, and Love,

Janet

 

Jesus is the true path to freedom.  Pass it on! 

 

Pray for Marriages (The Wages of Stages)

Greetings Prayer Warriors,

 

Contemplating all the stages of a marriage and what couples go through, I was wondering what phase we should pray for. 

• Newlywed – Beautifully blind to all that lies ahead
• Year 1 – Difficulty transitioning from “I” to “we”
• Before kids – Unexpected discovery of areas you aren't aligned on 
• First child – “Could I get some help here!”
• After maternity leave – “I can’t handle the “second shift alone!”
• Second Child – We have been dividing and conquering, but what happened to “us”?
• Additional children – (Arguments over how many) “How did our parents do this??” 
• Parenting – “Could you back me up?!?”
• Differing Schedules – ““Maybe one of us should stay home?” (As long as it’s not me!)
• Teen/Activity Years – Disagreements about $$$
• College Years – Alone at last! Rediscovering “us” without the children.  Readjusting. 
• Failure to Launch years – Home after college “Will they ever leave?  Do we start charging rent?”
• Adult children making decisions you don’t approve of – Blame game? 
• Empty Nesters – “Why don’t the kids call/visit more?” (Missing the third dimension)
  
• Becoming In-laws – “Hope they like how we put the fun in dys“fun”ction!
• Becoming grandparents – “How truly blessed we are!” 

I am sure all of you could add to the list.  Who could survive without some heavenly assistance?

 

I will lead the blind on a way they do not know; by paths they do not know I will guide them. I will turn darkness into light before them, and make crooked ways straight. These are my promises: I made them, I will not forsake them. Isaiah 42:16

 

We do not walk alone. Through each phase, we unexpectedly grow in hope, kindness, patience, endurance, faith, peace, perseverance, gentleness, and self-control. What a gift!

 

Pick the years that were the most difficult for you, and pray for couples who are having similar struggles. Conversely, also choose the stage that was most joyous for you and say a prayer of praise and thanksgiving, asking that other couples experience that as well!

 

Praise the LORD, my soul; I will praise the LORD all my life, sing praise to my God while I live. Psalm 146:2

 

Peace, Joy, and Love,

Janet

 

Everyone welcomes encouragement, so pass it on!

Pray for Families (Transfigured by Christ)

Greetings Prayer Warriors,

 

With each passing year, and each passing decade, I am awestruck by how little by little the Lord has gently guided me along the path He ordained for me. There were many difficult mountains to climb and several valleys I descended into, often thinking I was alone. In retrospect, however, he never left my side. There were times I didn’t think he was there, but my heart and mind were closed to his presence. But like One who knows your very being, He would nudge me out of my complacency, self-pity, or self-doubt and encourage me to journey on. With each situation, He gently transformed me, slowly helping me evolve  into a clearer reflection of Him. 

 

I was ready to respond to those who did not ask, to be found by those who did not seek me. I said: Here I am! Here I am! To a nation that did not invoke my name. Isaiah 65:1

 

For most, ours is a lifelong journey towards holiness. Everyone advances at a different pace. We must be patient, especially with loved ones who are novice trekkers, and slow to advance. The Lord never wearies, so why should we? We must persist in prayer.

 

As he who called you is holy, be holy yourselves in every aspect of your conduct, 1 Peter 1:15

 

Lord, you made each one of us with love and for a greater purpose. Help us to be patient with ourselves and others and we either seek to know you or maybe only know we are being sought by you. May we mirror your kindness and gentleness as you forge each member of our family in the fire of your love. Transfigure our families so that together we may shine brightly in holiness to a world in great need of transformation. Amen.

 

Just as the new heavens and the new earth which I am making shall endure before me—oracle of the LORD—so shall your descendants and your name endure. Isaiah 66:22

 

Peace, Joy, and Love,

Janet

 

Be the light in this darkened world. Pass it on!  

Pray for Marriages (A Daily Respite)

Greetings Prayer Warriors,

 

Marriage is an adventure, a journey on an ever-changing path.  Unfortunately, one is never given a roadmap and thus must determine whether to intuit the navigation or seek some input.  Additionally, they must discern the appropriate distance to journey each day, hoping never to exceed the limits, because that certainly can lead to over-heating!. 

 

Not an easy task, but isn’t everything made easier with prayer?

 

I prayed, and prudence was given me; I pleaded and the spirit of Wisdom came to me.  For in her is a spirit intelligent, holy, unique, manifold, subtle, agile, clear, unstained, certain, never harmful, loving the good, keen, unhampered, beneficent, kindly, firm, secure, tranquil, all-powerful, all-seeing, and pervading all spirits, though they be intelligent, pure and very subtle. Wisdom 7:7, 22-23

 

Prayer is the one thing you never have to over think!  Take a daily prayer respite and both you and your marriage will be better for it. 

 

Peace, Joy, and Love,

Janet

 

Know someone who needs a respite?  Pass it on!