Pray for Families (Enlightened by the Word)

With cluttered inboxes, all of you still receive these prayer reminders whether you read them, delete them, or forward them. They are not sent because I am a brilliant writer (for I am not), but they are sent because they contain the Word of God.  

Indeed, the word of God is living and effective, sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating even between soul and spirit, joints and marrow, and able to discern reflections and thoughts of the heart. Hebrews 4:12

The Lord uses his Word to touch each of you in a unique way.  

Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light for my path. Psalm 119:105

His Word will guide you in your family decisions, your daily prayer life, and your walk to holiness. These emails are your constant reminder to pray because when one is busy, you can forget that which may not yet be a priority. Even if you pray daily, there was a time when you didn’t. You got to where you are spiritually because someone prayed for you. Even if that someone was a stranger! That is why we pray for our families, as invariably, they need our prayers to live a life of joy in Christ.

Proclaim the word; be persistent whether it is convenient or inconvenient; convince, reprimand, encourage through all patience and teaching. For the time will come when people will not tolerate sound doctrine but, following their own desires and insatiable curiosity, will accumulate teachers and will stop listening to the truth and will be diverted to myths. 2 Timothy 4:2-4

In love and kindness, proclaim The Truth, give your testimony, and encourage your family and others to hold fast to Him who loves them.  As an example, immerse yourself in the Word.

How can they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how can they believe in him of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone to preach? And how can people preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring [the] good news!” Romans 10:14-15

   

Tread on, bringing the Good News to all!

Peace, Joy, and Love,

Janet

Beautiful are the feet of those who pass it on! 

Pray for Marriages (Grace for the Journey)

 Greetings Prayer Warriors,

Who doesn’t love the giddiness of young love, a transcendent feeling that one expects to feel forever? A dream wedding followed by honeymoon bliss, soon launches us into wedded reality. The relationship matures into a love of shared experiences, a heart full with joy. The journey continues, with difficulty and hardship showing up periodically as unexpected visitors. We are challenged to love in new ways, ideally growing in patience, kindness, and temperance. Extended visitors, however, always create undue stress, yet it is precisely the stress that causes growth, much like stress strengthens bone. In our weakness and helplessness, we are humbled and turn towards God, who always waits patiently for us to acknowledge our nothingness without Him. 

Yet, in reality, we are prone to stubbornness, self-righteousness, pride, anger, greed, envy, and a slew of other vices that don’t lend themselves to a thriving marriage. 

Return, all of you, from your evil way; reform your ways and your deeds.  

Jeremiah 18:11

Humility seems to be the hardest virtue to obtain! If only grace and mercy were our frequent visitors, helping us to walk in the path of love that Jesus so humbly displayed–one of total self-giving and sacrifice for the beloved.

So let us confidently approach the throne of grace to receive mercy and to find grace for timely help.  Hebrews 4:16

Lord, as each marriage has a special journey to walk, and each is on a different path, walking their own pace, making varying progress in the imitation of You, please be generous with your grace, that each member may grow in humility and love. We plead for mercy as we trip and fall. Give each spouse the grace of forgiveness!!  May our Guardian Angels always help us to arise and find our way towards you again. Unite us with your love, always standing in the gap. Thank you, for you call us sons and daughters and invite us to the heavenly banquet. You are our everything. Walk with us that we may persevere!  

The LORD’s acts of mercy are not exhausted, his compassion is not spent; They are renewed each morning—great is your faithfulness! Lamentations 3:22-23

Peace, Joy, and Love,

Janet

In complete humility, pray and pass it on! 

Pray for Families (Rebuilding the House)

Greetings Prayer Warriors,

In 1970, nine million children lived in single parent homes.* Over 50 years later that number has more than doubled to 19 million children. The head of household in those single parent homes is predominantly female.  What has happened to the men???  The blame goes in all directions, however, we need to wake up to the fact that when the family crumbles, so does society.

 The LORD said to the satan, “Where have you been?”  Then the satan answered the LORD and said, “Roaming the earth and patrolling it.” Job 2:2

The Evil One works tirelessly to break up the family (or prevent it from being formed). So he attacks the head, (the father, as ordained by God) and reduces them to nothing more than a sperm donor. He also convinces the woman they don’t need the man (only the sperm). In this situation, the child is born without a family or into a family that quickly dissolves. If anyone dared to ask the voiceless children, they would tell you it's not a situation they would ever choose.

Unless the LORD build the house, they labor in vain who build. Psalm 127:1

We need to rebuild and fortify the family, starting with our own. Christ must be at the Center, We need to witness to the truth, even if we ourselves have made mistakes. We need to pray for the words to share, and share the need to pray. This is so important, because our prayer can move mountains!

“Amen, I say to you, if you have faith and do not waver,...even if you say to this mountain, ‘Be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ it will be done. Whatever you ask for in prayer with faith, you will receive.” Matthew 21:21-22

We have been given the power to overcome evil. We are children of the Most High King! Let’s use the power we have been given as sons and daughters of God and PRAY for the restoration and building of families! Lord, protect and guide us!

Peace, Joy, and Love, 

Janet

Pray for the faith to move mountains. Pass it on! 

*statista.com

Pray for Families (The Battle for Truth)

Greetings Prayer Warriors, 

The family is the building block of society. If you are trying to destroy society, (and Satan and his multitude of minions are) guess what you would target? The family! But how slow and imperceptible the progress was and is, cloaked in enticing words of love and freedom.  First, let’s introduce birth control and then let’s separate the procreative act from the marriage. Free love! Then let’s create “no-fault” easy divorce. Freedom! Then let’s minimize the role of the stay-at-home mother, and drive her into the workforce. Financial freedom! Then let’s redefine what’s considered a family. Any group!  Then allow the government to educate and form the minds of your children. Free childcare! Then let’s redefine what constitutes a marriage. Love is love! And this list goes on, but it only gets more depressing from here! 

In the evening you say, ‘Tomorrow will be fair, for the sky is red’; and, in the morning, ‘Today will be stormy, for the sky is red and threatening.’ You know how to judge the appearance of the sky, but you cannot judge the signs of the times. Matthew 16:2-3

True love and true freedom are only found in Christ. Anything else is false.

For freedom Christ set us free; so stand firm and do not submit again to the yoke of slavery. Galatians 5:1

Is there any doubt in your mind why you must pray without ceasing? We are in a war that is targeted at marriage, family, and control of your children! Don’t be enslaved by the false promises of the Evil One. This is your wake-up call in case you have hit the snooze button too many times!! Pray that you will not be deceived. Ask the Lord for ears to hear and eyes to see what is true.  

Jesus then said to those Jews who believed in him, “If you remain in my word, you will truly be my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. John 8:31-32

Lord, these are very confusing times where we are often guided by our own uncertainty, and fear of losing our creature comforts, our status, our wealth, our recognition. We implore thy grace that we may only be deferential to you. Help us to let go of our false security and belief that we are in control. Help us to surrender completely to you. Protect our families until we each find the path that leads us to you. Be our North Star that reminds us of your constant presence, your unwavering love, and your continually beckoning. Holy Spirit, be our tailwind that moves us closer to God. Jesus we trust in you, lead us to truth. Hear our prayers! Amen. 

Peace, Joy, and Love, 

Janet

Truth and hope. Everyone needs it, so pass it on! 

Pray for Marriages (Encouragement Overflowing)

 Greetings Prayer Warriors,

In so many aspects of our lives, we compare ourselves to others. Marriage is one of them. How easy it is to look at another relationship and assume it’s perfect! How the couple looks adoringly at each other, the loving words they express, the fabulous vacations they take together, etc. etc. The notion of perfection is amplified all the more now that social media exists, where one can create a persona of a dream life.  (No one posts their worst selves!) 

Yet, whatever challenges you or your loved ones face in marriage, from small disappointments to extreme dysfunctions, from the affliction of sorrow to the pain of past missteps, the Lord always places people in your life to uplift you. (Hint, hint)

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and God of all encouragement, who encourages us in our every affliction, so that we may be able to encourage those who are in any affliction with the encouragement with which we ourselves are encouraged by God. For as Christ’s sufferings overflow to us, so through Christ does our encouragement also overflow.  2 Corinthians 1:3-5

Prayer Warriors and those they pray for never suffer alone. Your many spiritual friends unknown are praying on your behalf, that you may have the strength to endure and the love to persevere. Suffering offered to God is a beautiful incense that rises to heaven. Prayer is the fuel to help you fulfill the will of God. We’ve got you! 

Peace, Joy, and Love,

Janet

Pray, pray, and then pray some more. Someone desperately needs it! Pass it on!

Pray for Families (Reflect and Refresh)

 Greetings Prayer Warriors,

Well I can’t believe Friday blew by and I was so busy it took me an entire day to realize that I forgot to blog/post a prayer reminder! (That was after asking myself, “What day of the week is today?”  !!!)

Days like that make me pause and reevaluate. What was I doing? What was necessary versus unnecessary? Did I find time to pray? If yes, did I pray for others (especially marriage and family)? Did I spend time in thanksgiving to God, or rather just repeat my laundry list of requests? Did I do more than pillow prayer? (Note to self and others: Best to pray in the morning!)

Missteps can be a blessing when they cause us to reflect. 

Preserve my life, for I am devoted; save your servant who trusts in you. You are my God; be gracious to me, Lord; to you I call all the day. Gladden the soul of your servant; to you, Lord, I lift up my soul. Psalms 86:2-4

Take time to re-evaluate your daily prayer life. Prayer is refreshment for the soul. In the heat of life, let prayer reign!

He restores my soul. He guides me along right paths for the sake of his name. Psalm 23:3

Peace, Joy, and Love,

Janet

Prayer is the life breath of the family. Keep it oxygenated: Pray! Pass it on! 

Pray for Marriages (Equipped to Grow in Holiness)

 Greetings Prayer Warriors,

As most of you know, the longer the marriage, the more “interesting” the journey. Marriage is an absolute carnival, filled with rollercoasters, twisting and turning Tilt-a-Whirls, Jackhammers, Fun Houses, Rodeos, and Merry-Go-Rounds, just for starters! Sometimes, one has had enough of the “carnival” and is looking to be untethered and race for the exit. But that's never the Lord’s plan. The Lord will equip us with what we need. We are encouraged to be refreshed and rejuvenated by reading and resting in His Word. Time perhaps, to dust off and open that Bible?

The word of God is not chained. 2 Timothy 2:9

So shall my word be that goes forth from my mouth; It shall not return to me empty, but shall do what pleases me, achieving the end for which I sent it. Isaiah 55:11

For the Lord will always equip us to walk in His Holy Will. He doesn’t call the equipped, rather He equips the called.

All scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for refutation, for correction, and for training in righteousness, so that one who belongs to God may be competent, equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16

Lord, we ask for the graces necessary to live a good and holy marriage, especially in light of the struggles you send to strengthen us, the obstacles that challenge us to persevere, and the detours that bring us wisdom. May we find continual strength in Your Word to persevere in goodness, and to honor our spouse in word and deed. Thy will be done, now and forever! Amen.

May the God of peace, [...] Jesus our Lord, furnish you with all that is good, that you may do his will. May he carry out in you what is pleasing to him through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever [and ever]. Amen. Hebrews 13:20-21

Peace, Joy, and Love,

Janet

Continue to pray for blessings upon marriages! Pass it on! 

Pray for Families (A Temple of Glory)

Greetings Prayer Warriors,

In the Old Testament, the temple was a very sacred place and a central place of worship. It was a holy place of prayer. Most of you are probably familiar with the scripture passage where some “entrepreneurs” turned it into a marketplace. Jesus was not happy to put it mildly, for the temple is his Father’s house.

 

 “Is it not written: ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples’?  But you have made it a den of thieves.” Mark 11:17

Buying and selling in the temple appears so obviously wrong to us. But how often do we pause to consider that we too are the temple of the Holy Spirit, his dwelling place?

Do you not know that your body is a temple of the holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? For you have been purchased at a price. Therefore, glorify God in your body.

1 Corinthians 6:19-20

Are you conscious that the Lord dwells within you? Are you treating your body with the dignity and respect it deserves? Do you mirror self-care? Is preventive healthcare a priority? Do you dress with modesty?  Do you market your image, or clothe it in dignity? Would people see Christ when they look at how you speak, dress, and carry yourself? Or would they see pride, vanity, or other?

Take some time to reflect and ask the Lord how you can make your “temple” a more pleasing dwelling place for Him. Pray for the virtues needed to adorn your temple. Petition on behalf of your family members as well and if possible, gather them in prayer. Ask that you are led on the path that gives the greatest glory to God. 

Peace, Joy, and Love,

Janet

Be anti-cultural! Please the Lord with your modesty! Pass it on!

Note: As I was looking at dictionary definitions of “immodest”, I noted that a reference to how one dresses was wiped out of most dictionaries. Then I finally found something noted in the Cambridge Dictionary as “old-fashioned”: the quality, in women, of dressing or behaving in a way that is intended to avoid attracting sexual interest. Today, I would add men to that definition as well!