Pray for Families (Living Prayer)

 Greetings Prayer Warriors,

The importance of prayer and making time for it isn’t lost on anyone who reads this. However, everyone has experienced days where squeezing in all your obligations and desires is quite challenging. Thus, I love the sentiment St. Vincent de Paul shared with his followers, “If a needy person requires medicine or other help during prayer time, do whatever has to be done with peace of mind. Offer the deed to God as your prayer.”

Let’s never forget the value of such “prayer in action.” Be intentional this weekend and be more focused on being truly present for your family. Eliminate all that unnecessarily distracts you.  Help the elderly, assist the children, listen to the lonely, and pray for eyes to see the less obvious needs of a relative.

As each one has received a gift, use it to serve one another as good stewards of God’s varied grace. 1 Peter 4:10

As you practice actionable prayer this weekend, you just may be the earthly angel someone was praying for. Your words and deeds will praise God, and the world will become a better place.

Peace, Joy, and Love,

Janet

Encourage another to live their prayer life. Pass it on! 

Pray for Marriages (With Whom Are You Battling?)

Greetings Prayer Warriors,

When you’ve been married for decades, you can ponder all the phases you've journeyed through, all the joys, as well as all the times you’ve wanted to give up. You may question, why did the Lord put me with this person? While some may say that people aren’t made to be with just one person their whole life, the Lord stands by his design, that marriage is between one man and one woman, until death do they part.

For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways—oracle of the LORD.  Isaiah 55:8

That is a true statement from Truth Himself! Who can understand the mind of God?! Without His grace, marriages probably wouldn’t last more than a couple years. As each changes over time, the traits in your spouse you found so charming at first become the traits you find so annoying later! Yet, who are you really in battle with, your spouse or yourself? Come, Lord Jesus and show us the way!

The LORD will fight for you; you have only to keep still.” Exodus 14:14

Our real difficulty isn’t uniquely with our spouse, but with letting go and letting God.  It’s with loosening our grip on pride and creating space for humility to grow. For only in giving more of ourselves to our spouse, are we able to make space for the blessings and graces the Lord wants to bestow upon us. It’s acknowledging that we don’t trust God enough to think he knows what’s in our best interest.

Lord, 

Whatever prayer or petition any may make,…who know heartfelt remorse and stretch out their hands toward this house, listen in heaven, the place of your enthronement; forgive and take action. Render to each and all according to their ways, you who know every heart; for it is you alone who know the heart of every human being. 1 Kings 8:38-39

Lord, see the desire of our hearts, and have compassion. Hear our prayers for one another and for all marriages. May your graces overflow to those in dire need, while still being abundant for all those striving to keep in your Divine Will.

Peace, Joy, and Love,

Janet

Encouragement is always needed. Pass it on! 

Pray for Families (Lonely or Alone?)

Greetings Prayer Warriors,

Loneliness is a funny thing. You can be alone and never feel lonely, or be surrounded by people and feel all alone. Often no one notices or would even guess. Here are just a few scenarios.

Speaking with a single friend with a chronic disease that has multiple symptoms, including  great fatigue, she shared how on the weekends she recovers from the work week by cuddling up with her pillows and blankets. “It’s a lonely existence,” she commented.

Do you  know of a new widow/widower, who existed in a couple’s world? Once the swirl of condolences  is over, they are often left alone. Suddenly, invitations stop or they withdraw out of choice. Re-entry is hard.

Consider the  person who moves far away from friends and family, out of need or desire for new horizons.  Finding a new community takes time. Being alone too much becomes isolating.

Fewer are aware of the married or unmarried person surrounded by family and/or spouse, yet loneliness enters when there is a lack of emotional connection with anyone.. 

You are bound to have family members experiencing such loneliness. Maybe you are one of these people?  

The Lord desires to fill this gap, to be your friend, your rock, your sustenance, your resting place, and your Love. He wants you to turn to Him.

LORD, hear my prayer; let my cry come to you. Do not hide your face from me in the day of my distress. Turn your ear to me; when I call, answer me quickly. I lie awake and moan, like a lone sparrow on the roof.  

Psalm 102:2-3, 8

Lord, we pray that those relatives and friends that ache from loneliness are filled with your sustaining love. May they experience your friendship in a new way and find a home in your most Sacred Heart. Guide us to those most in need, that we may be your instruments of love and companionship. Amen.

Father of the fatherless, defender of widows - God in his holy abode, God gives a home to the forsaken. Psalm 68:6-7

Peace, Joy, and Love,

Janet

Connect with more people! Pass it on! 

Pray for Marriages (Battle Protection)

Greetings Prayer Warriors, 

Monday came and went, but the need for prayer is timeless.  No doubt many of you prayed for marriages, but please join me in praying this prayer today, specifically asking for the protection of marriages.

Prayer to St. Michael the Archangel

St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle. 

Be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the Devil. 

May God rebuke him, we humbly pray, 

and do thou, O Prince of the heavenly hosts, 

by the power of God, thrust into hell Satan, and all the evil spirits, 

who prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen. 

“At that time there shall arise Michael, the great prince, guardian of your people; It shall be a time unsurpassed in distress. Daniel 12:1

Lord, may St. Michael be our powerful intercessor for us, restraining Satan as he seeks to destroy marriage and family, which represent the domestic church.  Send your legions of angels as the battle intensifies, and in your love, grant us the virtues of fidelity and hope.  Amen.

But woe to you, earth and sea, for the Devil has come down to you in great fury, for he knows he has but a short time.  Revelation 12:12

Peace, Joy, and Love,

Janet

Pray to become and stay battle ready.  Pass it on! 

Pray for Families (The Missing and Imprisoned)

Greetings Prayer Warriors,

While I was reflecting on today’s feast day, Our Lady of Sorrows, I also happened to learn that today is National POW/MIA Recognition Day.  How ironic and fitting that these two days overlap.  For those who may not know, a POW is a prisoner of war, while MIA is a military service member who never was found and is thus “missing in action”.  As a mother, I can only imagine the pain of having a child imprisoned under unthinkable conditions, or worse yet, never to be found. The pain of having no closure must keep the wound festering.  We honor and pray for those who served and prayed a heavy price and for those family members who suffered for and with them. 

Our Blessed Mother suffers with us. She knows only too well this pain. 

Rejoice to the extent that you share in the sufferings of Christ, so that when his glory is revealed you may also rejoice exultantly.  1 Peter 4:13

While most of you may not know of a POW or MIA, you do know how a parent suffers for their child.  Whether you have a child (or relative) in jail or prison, or one who is a prisoner of an addiction, you know suffering. If you have a child, sibling, or other relative who is missing, and you don’t know if they are alive or dead, you too know suffering. 

The ability to endure, persevere, move forward, and remain optimistic, only comes from prayers said on another’s behalf.   So let’s get to praying!

Lord, hear our heartfelt prayers.  Please console all those who worry or mourn for their loved ones, especially those who were/are POWs/MIAs.  Heal the minds and bodies of all former POWs and bring repose to the souls of the MIAs . For all those imprisoned in other ways, please break the chains of all that controls them.  For all missing children (and adults),, send your angels to guard them and bring to fruition their safe return. With abundant love and mercy, protect the most vulnerable of our relatives.  As you gave us your Mother from the Cross, may we open our hearts and homes to her, that she may guide and protect us, as she did her most precious Son.  No matter how difficult our journey, in your mercy may we one day all be united and find everlasting rest in our heavenly home.  Amen.

When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple there whom he loved, he said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son.” Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother.” And from that hour the disciple took her into his home. John 19:26-27

Peace, Joy, and Love,

Janet

Prayer is the air that buoys another. Pray and pass it on!

Pray for Marriages (Marriage beyond Two!)

Greetings Prayer Warriors,

Marriage is full of transitional moments. From the honeymoon to parenthood to the raising of children, all the way to the empty nest followed by the retirement phase and all the moments in between, offer unique joys and challenges. This week let’s spotlight the effect of children on a marriage. 

Let me state the obvious. Children impact marriages, and test the health of a relationship! Away goes the selfish phase! (At least it should dissipate!) Both spouses have to adjust to a 3rd party vying for most of the attention. And that’s just with the first child! Each of you who are a parent has their own stories, but hopefully someone was praying for you as a couple during each transitional moment! Today and this week, WE are those warriors praying for other couples (maybe even oneself)!

Lord bless all parents who welcome children. Give parents the grace to align on their duties and their discipline. Through their mutual support, help them grow in intimacy and love. 

Discipline your children, and they will bring you comfort, and give delight to your soul. Proverbs 29:17

Give them the strength and endurance to navigate the unknown by drawing closer to your Fatherly heart. May they be granted the wisdom to reach out to their Heavenly Mother for encouragement and prayer.

Many are the plans of the human heart, but it is the decision of the LORD that endures. Proverbs 19:21

When couples struggle and grow distant, give them the fortitude to love through the difficult times, knowing those too shall pass. 

Owe nothing to anyone, except to love one another; for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law. Romans 13:8

Finally Lord, strengthen the yoke of each couple we pray for, and each couple who prays. Jesus, we trust in You!

Peace, Joy, and Love,

Janet

Prayer is the perfect gift. It’s free and  needs no wrapping! Pass it on! 

Pray for Families (The Best Diversion)

 Greetings Prayer Warriors,

The end of the work week is a great time to decompress, relax, and diffuse all that tension that can inadvertently launch out in daggers or flames to a family member.  “Work week” stress also encompasses everyone from the stay at home mom who never stops, to the hard-driving student, to the handyperson around the house that is endlessly fixing what is in need of repair. When one is tired and drained, they are not at their best, and if they don’t have custody of their speech and emotions, much damage can be done. What appears as road rage on the highway can have its own version at home!

Refrain from anger; abandon wrath; do not be provoked; it brings only harm. Those who do evil will be cut off, but those who wait for the LORD will inherit the earth. Psalm 37:8-9

Perhaps it’s time to pray for more peace to enter into families, which begins with each individual. Help facilitate this by turning off the television (a huge source of triggering news), then all the electronics, even if just for an evening. Gather, pray, have a game night, read, or engage in any fun activity and allow the Prince of Peace a space to enter into  your family. Peace will be followed by joy, and then a new blossoming of  love. See how your heart will be transformed!

As face mirrors face in water, so the heart reflects the person.  

Proverbs 27:19

God created families to be the source of your peace and happiness. Is it any wonder Satan wants to break them down? Distract you with electronics? Divert you from human connection? Immerse you in endless work?

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the holy Spirit.  Romans 15:13

Lord, flood us with your grace! Help us to gaze upon you, contemplating your goodness, mercy, and unfathomable love for each one of us. May you become our favorite diversion and distraction, as we immerse ourselves in You!

Peace, Joy, and Love,

Janet

The first step always begins with prayer. Pass it on! 

Pray for Marriages (Laying Down Your Burdens)

 Greetings Prayer Warriors,

Three day weekends are a great time to unwind, but many will utilize the weekend to keep on top of everything!  Both are good, but sometimes even though we need to relax, we can’t because there is too much to do! This can also be a stress point in marriages. 

For those who are stressed, and burdened emotionally, physically, mentally, or other, we warriors are here to lighten your burden through prayer. All you have to do is surrender your need to “control”, to the Lord.  That takes a lot of patience, because the Lord’s timing is extremely different from ours. 

“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

Lord, give us eyes to see why we are so burdened. How much of our busyness is what we have taken on unnecessarily, versus necessary? Is our activity bringing us closer to our spouse, or further? Unintentional, or by design? Is it causing anger? 

Have a personal conversation with the Lord.  Pour out your heart to Him. Ask the Lord what He is trying to show you. Ask Him to teach you how to let go and trust in Him more.

As prayer warriors, let us storm heaven in support of one another, and those couples we hold in our hearts.

Peace, Joy, and Love,

Janet

Prayer shared is quickly increased. Pass it on! 

Pray for Families (The Path Towards Holiness)

 Greetings Prayer Warriors, 

As I get older, I am getting more forgetful, however, I am becoming more and more mindful of the efficacy and value of each prayer. (Too busy praying to remember to blog! 😉) My life consists of everything else I am doing when I am not praying. One must be mindful of the balance. 🙏🏻  Routine is so key to a good prayer life, and a good prayer life prevents one from all that doesn’t allow them to grow in holiness. 

My hope is that these reminders help you continue to integrate prayer and scripture into your daily life, leading you towards holiness. May prayer become as important as the air you breathe. If this is already true, praise be to God! Regardless, you will still get a reminder from me, one more gentle nudge in your inbox.

Do not grow slack in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, endure in affliction, persevere in prayer. Romans 12:11-12

As attacks on God’s Will for marriage and family increase in frequency and force, the voice with which the Lord blessed you needs to powerfully be lifted up in prayer. God is on our side! Pray for our nation. Pray for our church. Pray, pray, pray for your family members. Pray for yourself, that you do not weaken in your resolve. 

The quiet words of the wise are better heeded than the shout of a ruler of fools. Wisdom is better than weapons of war, but one bungler destroys much good. Ecclesiastes 9:17-18

Know that I pray for you and your intentions. Please pray for mine.  

Peace, Joy, and Love,

Janet

Reminders need to be shared. Nudge another and pass it on!