Pray for Marriages (Belief versus Faith)

Greetings Prayer Warriors,

When we are young we believe much of what we are told and focus on the dream, but in time and with experience, our perspectives change. We believe the tangible, but waver on the intangible.

Our belief in God can be that way. We believe, but when life becomes laborious and challenging with marriage, work, family, and relationships, we may begin to question our belief that God loves us, walks with us, and cares about us. Many drift away from God at this point. This is when we have arrived at the crossroads of belief and faith.

Judas believed in Jesus. He just had no faith in His mercy which led to his despair and hopelessness. Peter too believed in Jesus, but unlike Judas, through his personal relationship with Jesus, he trusted in His unwavering love and  forgiveness. One expects unwavering love in a marriage as well, but when the marriage hits a pothole, (and all inevitable do) do you have faith that Jesus will stand in the gap to see you through? Or do you believe nothing can heal your marriage? 

Faith is the realization of what is hoped for and evidence of things not seen. Hebrews 11:1

It is no coincidence that a crossroad is in the shape of a cross. One will always find Jesus there waiting, hand outstretched, “Do you love me? Do you trust me?”. The question is, will you respond in faith?

This is why we pray, so that when put to the test, we may say “yes”! Let’s us pray for one another, that our faith may be strengthened and when tested, be absolutely unshakeable.

Although you have not seen him you love him; even though you do not see him now yet believe in him, you rejoice with an indescribable and glorious joy, as you attain the goal of [your] faith, the salvation of your souls. 1 Peter 1:8-9

Peace, Joy, and Love,

Janet

Pray for faith and in faith, pass it on!

Pray for Families (Ladle of Love)

Greetings Prayer Warriors,

In a hurting world, these  times call for our goodness, our kindness, and our generosity of spirit. We each can bring about  change in the world when we share our God-given gifts with others.

“Not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things with great love.” -Mother Teresa

What can you share?  Everyone thirsts for love. Are you a ladle of God’s love, pouring it out on those most parched?  When you  encounter a wounded soul,  do you fill the wound with the balm of  your prayers? Do you show tenderness and compassion as Jesus has shown you?  Do you have a talent to share?  Sewing, cooking, yardwork, driving, organizing?  Do you seek to share your gift? Your human family is in need!

Human goodness is like a signet ring with God, and virtue he keeps like the apple of his eye. Later he will rise up and repay them, requiting each one as they deserve. Sirach 17:22-23

There is no time like the present.  Be a spark of goodness that sets the world on fire, one person at a time.  Use prayer to keep the flame alive!

Peace, Joy, and Love,

Janet

Goodness is the fruit of a good prayer life. Pass it on! 

Pray for Marriages (Continuing the Fight)

Greetings Prayer Warriors,

“The final battle between the Lord and the kingdom of Satan will be about marriage and family…”  Sr. Lucia, Fatima Visionary

Is there any doubt we are in the final battle? Change has been slow and steady. At the time, the changes appeared to us as “welcome progress” and/or allowances. Maybe for thee and not for me. Birth control led to the sexual revolution, no fault divorce, women entering the workforce, an overturning of the God’s hierarchical  structure of the family, children raised by nannies and daycares, abortions, civil marriages, marriage being “redefined”, and so on and so on. We all bought into the “lie”. 

And no wonder, for even Satan masquerades as an angel of light.  

2 Corinthians 11:14

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

Who grasped what the totality of those changes could bring? As marriage and family go, so goes society.  Without strong marriages and intact families, children are less likely to learn about God, develop well-formed  consciences. And if they are not formed, how will they ever make moral choices? And in that vacuum, how easy it is for other “powers” to indoctrinate them!

What we are experiencing in our society is not pretty. However, YOU were chosen by God for a time such as this! You were chosen to be a warrior of prayer to fight for marriage and family! You are part of God’s army! Your prayers matter!

Lord, help us to sustain not only each other, but our world and religious leaders who will be fighting for Good. May we remain strong as we face potential war, famine, economic collapse, and persecution..  May our charity and mercy never waver. Help us continue to fight for the preservation of marriage and family. 

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

We know who will have the final victory. While Satan is gloating about what he thinks is his impending victory, Sr. Lucia finishes with the end of the story,  “...nevertheless, Our Lady has already crushed his head.”

Pray 🗡 Pray  🗡 Pray  🗡!  

Peace, Joy, and Love,

Janet

No army is ever too big. Invite someone to be a warrior for Christ and pass it on!

Pray for Families (Healing His Children)

Greetings Prayer Warriors,

 

Having some difficulty getting this out as I am sick.  However, when one is sick, they have plenty of time to pray!

 

Is anyone among you suffering? He should pray. Is anyone in good spirits? He should sing praise. The prayer of faith will save the sick person, and the Lord will raise him up.  James 5:13,15

 

So this is a reminder to pray for your extended family, the Body of Christ.  May your prayers bring them healing and comfort.

 

Lord, there are many kinds of sickness: physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual. Hear our prayers for all your children. Each is struggling with something.  May they draw closer to you in their vulnerability, and find an unexpected peace.  Bless them, lead them, and heal their hearts with your love.  Amen. 

 

Peace, Joy, and Love,

Janet

 

It’s always a good time to pray!  Pass it on!!  

Pray for Marriages (Reaching the Summit)

Greetings Prayer Warriors, 

 

From the moment we are born, it seems that the odds are stacked against us to reach our true destiny, as we are wired to focus on self. (I, me, mine) That focus continues well into young adulthood although we are gradually coaxed and encouraged to broaden our focus throughout our youth. As we mature and are called to the vocation of marriage, focusing on the other isn’t much of a challenge in the infatuation phase of courtship and marriage.  However, this becomes increasingly difficult as the stress of family, job, household, and financial responsibilities increase. We want to retreat into the “me”, just when we need to expand further into the “we”.

 

This sacrificial journey toward the God desired “one” can feel like summiting a mountain, as anyone married long enough can attest to.  Without the prayers of others, it may seem insurmountable, yet the Lord would never call us to the sacrificial life (“Come, follow me.” Luke 18:22) if he wasn’t going to supply the tools for those who request them. The marital blessing is the pick He gives you to firmly plant into He who is the Rock. Prayers form the rope needed to tether the two together, as we are never meant to summit alone. The sacraments are your sustenance, refreshing you for the journey and helping to redirect you when you veer off course. The Mass/Church is your tent, a place of rest and refreshment, even if you sometimes you find yourself there alone.  

 

As an eagle incites its nestlings, over its young, so he spread his wings, took them, bore them upon his pinions. The LORD alone guided them; no foreign god was with them. He had them mount the summits of the land, fed them the produce of its fields; He suckled them with honey from the crags and olive oil from the flinty rock. Deuteronomy 34:11-13

 

So let us pray for those who have been journeying for decades, those mid-summit, as well as those still at base camp.

 

Lord, if you call us to peaks unimaginable, why do we so often find ourselves in the valley? Hear the prayers of your faithful, on behalf of self and others, pleading for the grace to continue the journey.  Revive the fatigued, lead the lost, bandage the blistered, and bring all to streams of healing waters. May focusing on the other bring to all unexpected joy, newfound peace, and restful love. Astonish all with the power of your grace!

 

He gives power to the faint, abundant strength to the weak. Though young men faint and grow weary, and youths stagger and fall, they that hope in the LORD will renew their strength, they will soar on eagles’ wings; They will run and not grow weary, walk and not grow faint.  Isaiah 40: 29-31

 

Peace, Joy, and Love,

Janet

 

Encourage a friend to journey on. Pray for them and pass it on!  

Pray for Families (Impacting Eternity)

Greetings Prayer Warriors, 

Perhaps you sometimes wonder the value of your prayer.  “Does it really help to pray so much for my family? My prayers never seem to be answered! Just how efficacious are my  prayers?”  

The fervent prayer of a righteous person is very powerful. James 5:16

We humans always expect a rapid response, as if the Lord is some sort of vending machine; prayer in, request answered. Yet, that isn’t typically how the Lord responds. However, He does hear and utilize every one of our prayers.

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

When the Blessed Mother appeared in 1917 to 3 shepherd children in Fatima, she implored them,  “Pray, pray very much.  Make sacrifices for sinners. Many souls go to hell, because not one is willing to help them with sacrifice.”

While we may not see or get the response we ask for, the Lord is still using our prayers for that person’s good. Our prayers and redemptive suffering can impact the eternity of our family members. Now that should be motivating! So don’t be discouraged if the Lord has a plan larger than you can imagine. We are all in the same boat! In the end, eternity is all that matters. How the Lord leads our loved ones there is up to Him. All glory will be His! And may all patience be ours!  

Indeed we call blessed those who have persevered. James 5:11

Pray, pray, pray!  Your family celebration will be in heaven!

Peace, Joy, and Love, 

Janet

Anyone can make an impact if they pray.  Pass it on! 

Pray for Marriages (Resolve to Love)

Greetings Prayer Warriors,

Marriage is about love. Not the “feelings” that initially draw a couple together, but rather the commitment made to a life-long action of self-giving for the good of the other. That kind of love is much more difficult.  

We love because he first loved us. 1 John 4:19

We must resolve daily to love and…

Make

A 

Resolution to

Replenish 

It 

Affectionately

Generously

Excessively

Marriage is worth fighting for, and while self-denial takes effort, it pays in virtuous growth. 

Lord, we are weak, but you are strong. Even when we try, we often lack charity. Clothe us with your love, that we may bring it into every word and action with our spouse. Restrain our tongues, when hurtful words challenge the fortress of our lips. Hear our prayers, as we ask for a daily abundance of grace to love, cherish, and honor our spouse. Guide us as we seek to grow so much in love, that we may lavishly and generously bestow it. Jesus, we trust in You!

Remain in my love. John 15:9

Peace, Joy, and Love,

Janet

Success depends on our prayers for one another. Grow the army and pass it on! 

Pray for Families (Penetrating Light)

Greetings Prayer Warriors,

Darkness has dimmed many minds and infiltrated many souls.  This is made painfully apparent as protests are happening because unborn babies might not be able to be killed on demand, even up until birth!  How can any abortion be "safe" when it has at least a 50% mortality rate?  Society has wandered very far from God and into Satan’s playground.  No wonder the Evil One  has so many minions doing his bidding!

Yet the Lord doesn’t want any of his children or yours to be lost to the Son of Perdition.  

Though darkness covers the earth, and thick clouds, the peoples, upon you the LORD will dawn, and over you his glory will be seen. Isaiah 60:2

Bring more Light into the world with your prayers!

Pray prayers of reparation for the many offenses against life.

Pray that His Light will penetrate even the most darkened souls, 

Pray that all hearts may in gratitude cherish all beating hearts.

Pray for family and relatives whose eyes have become blinded to the GIFT of life.

Pray for each other, that we may boldly speak the truth, in love.

Together we are stronger.  

St. Michael the Archangel, lead us  in battle, and defend and protect us! Amen.

Peace, Joy, and Love,

Janet

We do not battle alone, but He who is in us directs our steps.  Pass it on! 

Pray for Marriages (Shining Hope)

Greetings Prayers,

 

Better to be late than to completely forget!  It’s never too late to pray for a marriage, even those on the brink. God can’t be given limitations, so be steadfast in prayer. Keep praying for marriages! Your prayer just might call down the extra grace needed!

 

The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. John 1:5

 

Be a light for others; be a witness to prayer!

 

Peace, Joy, and Love,

Janet

 

Be a light of hope for others!  Pass it on!