Pray for Marriages (Love is the Answer!)

Greetings Prayer Warriors, 

This past Sunday, I was listening to a young adult share the beauty of a retreat they experienced when in high school. She was re-experiencing the amazing spiritual high as she spoke, and the message she received: “It was so simple. Love really is the answer to everything.”  

I smiled, because it is. However, executing on the “action of love” throughout life within the fun and dysfunction of different relationships, especially marriage, can be quite difficult. Imitating Christ, who is Love, has never been easy and is undoubtedly a lifelong challenge. But I am not one to squash a high!

As we mature in our Christian ways and come to understand the cross, we become more willing to pick up our cross and follow Him. 

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

As we look to Christ for inspiration, let us pray for the grace to love, and to persevere in love.  For it is only by Divine Grace that we may endure the crosses that we are given. They are not for naught, for what cross does not perfect us?!  When we love those who are less than lovable, can you imagine the graces that must be showered upon us?

Continue to pray for each other’s marriages, but especially your own. 

Peace, Joy, and Love,

Janet

Love is the answer! Pass it on! 

Pray for Families (Distributing your Gifts)

 Greetings Prayer Warriors,

Powerlessness. We have all felt it. Especially within our families. That sense of wanting to do something, but not knowing what to do. The situations are numerous, but the feelings are the same. 

However, we are not as powerless as we think. Through our baptism, we have been commissioned as Christians to pray for and serve the body of Christ, especially our families. Through our confirmation, we were given spiritual gifts, to be used for the building up of His church. As St. Paul so boldly states:

For this reason, I remind you to stir into flame the gift of God that you have through the imposition of my hands. For God did not give us a spirit of cowardice but rather of power and love and self-control. So do not be ashamed of your testimony to our Lord, nor of me, a prisoner for his sake; but bear your share of hardship for the gospel with the strength that comes from God. He saved us and called us to a holy life, not according to our works but according to his own design and the grace bestowed on us in Christ Jesus before time began. 2 Timothy:6-9

The Lord empowers us to use our gifts, as He is the vine, we are the branches. We can do nothing outside of Him, but connected to Him, we can do much! We can start by speaking the Word of Truth to others. People innately have a longing, they don’t always realize it’s for the Lord. We must embody Him to others in word and deed, helping the lost to find Truth (and Love and Mercy, and Compassion…) especially our family members. 

There are different kinds of spiritual gifts but the same Spirit; there are different forms of service but the same Lord; there are different workings but the same God who produces all of them in everyone. To each individual the manifestation of the Spirit is given for some benefit. 1 Corinthians 12:4-7

Don’t be afraid to use your gifts. And pray. Always pray!

I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13

Peace, Joy, and Love,

Janet

Embody Love. It’s the perfect start. Pass it on! 

Pray for Marriages (Becoming One)

Greetings Prayer Warriors,

For no one hates his own flesh but rather nourishes and cherishes it, even as Christ does the church, because we are members of his body. “For this reason a man shall leave [his] father and [his] mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” Ephesians 5:29-31

The mystery of the marriage covenant, becoming “one flesh” is something to ponder, especially during the days/weeks that one is unhappy with the other part of their united flesh. Perhaps this is how body dysmorphia began! (Just a little spiritual humor!) Yet, Christ is the head, and we are the body. 

Indeed, the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are all the more necessary, and those parts of the body that we consider less honorable we surround with greater honor, and our less presentable parts are treated with greater propriety, whereas our more presentable parts do not need this. But God has so constructed the body as to give greater honor to a part that is without it, so that there may be no division in the body, but that the parts may have the same concern for one another. If [one] part suffers, all the parts suffer with it; if one part is honored, all the parts share its joy. 1 Corinthians 12:22-26

This is a wonderful image of married life and how we are to conduct ourselves in our marriage. It is one of working in tandem, seldom 50-50, but usually a fluctuation of 70-30, 40-60, 90-10, and sometimes 0-100. But we are only capable of fulfilling this constant uplifting of one another if Christ is at the head. Yet, how often do WE want to lead instead? How truly difficult is that surrender! How unreachable does it feel to attain the humility of dying to oneself?

There is so much to ponder here. Carve out some quiet time to contemplate these passages as they relate to your marriage. Begin with praise and thanksgiving, and end with supplication; your prayer requests. If you are not married, please hold another marriage in prayer. 

Lord, we praise and we thank you, God of mercy and kindness. We ask for an outpouring of graces, that our hearts and minds might be opened to the wisdom of your ways. Grant us a spirit of patience and understanding, helping us always to find joy in our crosses. Jesus, we trust in You!

Let the words of my mouth be acceptable, the thoughts of my heart before you, LORD, my rock and my redeemer. Psalm 19:15

Peace, Joy, and Love,

Janet

Pray that all couples may truly unite as one. Pass it on!

Pray for Families (Seeking God’s Plan)

Greetings Prayer Warriors,

Over the last few weeks, I have observed many families. It has led me to ponder more fully God’s plan for the family. In scripture it is apparent that families were a unit, strengthened by number. The patriarch guided, fed, and protected its members from harm, especially the women, since new life (increased numbers) arrived through them. They worked collectively for the whole, taking care of one another, teaching and learning from one another, and worshiping God together. They were a domestic church. 

Warning, I get a bit wound up when it comes to the attack on families! So if the above is a picture of strength, Satan would need to dismantle this domestic church, for they are the building blocks of GOD’S CHURCH!  Thus he began by pitting women against men to break up the family structure. He made this possible by eliminating women’s dependence on men by sending them into the workforce. The indissolubility of marriage was then attacked. Sex outside of marriage was condoned. Patriarchy was demonized. With no parent at home, children were funneled into state education so their minds could be formed without God. Having a large family is mocked, as children are now considered a burden not a gift. The killing of babies in the womb is legalized by calling it “healthcare”. Birth control becomes readily available to all women and teens calling it sexual empowerment and “family planning”. Religion is next attacked both verbally and physically, accusing  all those who embrace it, as “haters”. To add to the list, polyamory is now promoted as healthy. Satan is doing a great job of weakening and destroying families. The list is unending, but the point is to “WAKE UP!” Open your eyes and those in your family that they might not remain blind. If you are not turning to God, you are relinquishing your rights to the Evil One. Yes, he will give you what you want in this world so he can have you in hell with him forever, but it’s time to let go of the kryptonite in your life (love of money, power, prestige, etc.) and reclaim your power in Christ!

Help, LORD, for no one loyal remains; the faithful have vanished from the children of men. They tell lies to one another, speak with deceiving lips and a double heart. Psalm 12:2-3

Turn back to the Lord, for it is never too late. Happiness on earth doesn’t hold a candle to the joy you will feel in heaven. You know what to do: pray, pray, pray for yourself, your family, and others. Our Heavenly Mother reaches with outstretched hands to guide you to Jesus. She will protect you and your family and provide you the graces you need, if only you ask.

The promises of the LORD are sure, silver refined in a crucible, silver purified seven times. You, O LORD, protect us always; preserve us from this generation. On every side the wicked roam; the shameless are extolled by the children of men.  Psalm 12:7-9

Reunite with your tribe!  If it can’t be family, make it your friends. Rebuild your spiritual fortress, claim your Heavenly Mother, (Satan hates that!) and rediscover God’s plan for your life and your family. 

Many are the sorrows of the wicked one, but mercy surrounds the one who trusts in the LORD.  Psalm 32:10

Peace, Joy, and Love,

Janet

Reform your life, pray, and pass it on! 

Pray for Marriages (Endless Graces)

Greetings Prayer Warriors,

Simple message today: Pray for Marriages! Yours, a friend’s, a stranger’s, all of them, one of them, you chose!  Just pray! The Lord is waiting for your petitions!

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

Lamentation 3:22-23

Peace, Joy, and Love,

Janet

No grace should go to waste! Pray and multiply its effect by passing it on!

Pray for Families (Acknowledging the Price)

Greetings Prayer Warriors,

How easy it is to become mad at the Lord when things don’t go our way. As if we are entitled to a perfect life! How quickly we forget that our life was purchased for a price. While we all deserve perdition, Christ ransomed us. Let us ponder that and shift from anger to gratitude.

Now if you invoke as Father him who judges impartially according to each one’s works, conduct yourselves with reverence during the time of your sojourning, realizing that you were ransomed from your futile conduct, handed on by your ancestors, not with perishable things like silver or gold but with the precious blood of Christ as of a spotless unblemished lamb. He was known before the foundation of the world but revealed in the final time for you, who through him believe in God who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God. 1 Peter 1:17-21

Often, it is family members our hearts break over. Let us gather our voices in prayer as we petition the Lord on behalf of family, and ask that He grant us the faith and hope to persevere in prayer. Let us offer our arduous journey for the conversion of the most hardened souls. 

Peace, Joy, and Love,

Janet

Prayer is a beautiful sacrificial offering. Keep in up and pass it on! 

Pray for Marriages (Grasped by Love)

Greetings Prayer Warriors,

We are created for Love. When we were young we searched for what we thought it was, looking for the ideal, often coming up short, wondering what was missing. If we were lucky and grew in wisdom, we came to realize our heart had a God-sized hole. Only His perfect love could fill it. Yet, not to force Himself upon us, in unwavering love He patiently waited for our invitation. 

With age-old love I have loved you; so I have kept my mercy toward you. Jeremiah 31:3

The Lord is an example of what love is, what it looks like, and how sacrificial it should be. It is constant, loyal, merciful, and in service to others. In marriage, we are called to be a mirror of His love. No matter the difficulties and challenges that arise, (no one is preserved from them), He walks with you, leading you along right paths, if only you cooperate and trust in Him.

For I am the LORD, your God, who grasp your right hand; It is I who say to you, do not fear, I will help you. Isaiah 41:13

You have an important mission in your marriage. You are called to help your spouse get to heaven. (Yes, even if you are constantly telling them to go elsewhere!)

I, the LORD, have called you for justice, I have grasped you by the hand; I formed you, and set you as a covenant for the people, a light for the nations, to open the eyes of the blind, to bring out prisoners from confinement, and from the dungeon, those who live in darkness. Isaiah 42:6-7

Ponder your marital calling. Seek to learn your blind spots that you might see. Consider the emotional prisons you may have entered, as has your spouse. The Lord calls you and/or your spouse out of that darkness and asks you to be light, a light that shines for others. He promises that you will never journey alone. He doesn’t call the equipped, but rather equips the called.  When you labor for Him, He provides all you need. 

May prayer be your nourishment, as it will strengthen, protect, and fortify you. Ask for the prayers of others, in addition to the prayers we pray on behalf of one another. Be assured that while this virtual, spiritual community is invisible, it remains a powerful force in prayer, storming heaven for you. 

Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The fervent prayer of a righteous person is very powerful. James 5:16

Peace, Joy, and Love,

Janet

Recruit more warriors. Say a prayer and pass it on! 

Pray for Families (Unity Trumps Division)

 Greetings Prayer Warriors,

Be on alert about those who seek to divide you. Satan loves division. He has many minions, as so many inadvertently have drifted from God and right into the comforting words of the devil. “Be you. Nothing is wrong with following your passions.” 

Whoever teaches something different and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the religious teaching is conceited, understanding nothing, and has a morbid disposition for arguments and verbal disputes. From these come envy, rivalry, insults, evil suspicions, and mutual friction among people with corrupted minds, who are deprived of the truth, supposing religion to be a means of gain. 1 Timothy 6:3-5

We all experienced the havoc and division Satan facilitated over the v@ccines. Families became pitted against one another where previously the subject matter was inconsequential. But what’s next? Some Catholics are now being labeled violent extremists, Jews are being demonized, and Christianity and its values are under serious attack. Laws are changing, unbeknownst to most people. No longer is it beyond the realm of possibility that targeted religious persecution could be next, for such will become labeled “intolerant” and “haters”. Not to be alarmist, but will there come a day when family members will be coerced into turning one another in?  

Behold, I am sending you like sheep in the midst of wolves; so be shrewd as serpents and simple as doves. But beware of people, for they will hand you over to courts and scourge you in their synagogues, and you will be led before governors and kings for my sake as a witness before them and the pagans. Matthew 10:16-18

We need to remember whose we are. We are the sons and daughters of the Most High King. We must claim our identity before we are assigned a new one.

Everyone who acknowledges me before others I will acknowledge before my heavenly Father. Matthew 10:32

Claim your royal identity for you are heirs of a heavenly kingdom.

The Spirit itself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs, heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if only we suffer with him so that we may also be glorified with him. Romans 8:16-17

Stay united in Him, and together you can avoid the snares of the devil. Pray the Unity Prayer* on behalf of yourself and your family.  It is said to blind Satan**. What is better than that?  

Peace, Joy, and Love,

Janet

Keep praying! Pass it on!

*Unity Prayer

**Jesus said, “Through this prayer, Satan will be blind and souls will not be led into sin. ( p.25 Flame of Love by Elizabeth Kindelmann, OCDS)

Pray for Marriages (The Grace of a New Year)

Greetings Prayer Warriors,

Happy New Year! May this be a year of blessings!

Many love to celebrate the turning of the calendar as it represents a fresh start. Missteps, mistakes, bad choices, traumatic events, were last year. Now is a time to make a commitment to change/begin what is within your power. Then pray to God for the grace to make the needed changes, the perseverance to continue, and a commitment to daily prayer.

“Behold, I make all things new.” Then he said, “Write these words down, for they are trustworthy and true.” Revelation 21:5

Maybe you aren’t one for resolutions. Perhaps you have a need to reconcile with God.  Are you angry with Him? Is there distrust?  Disappointment? Are you feeling unheard in your prayers for marriage and/or family? Are you questioning His love for you? Now is a good time to reconcile with the Lord. Find a quiet space and pour out your feelings to Him. He is a great listener. Do an examination of conscience and acknowledge where you have failed. Allow His mercy to wash over you. Resolve to keep the conversation going. 

In the morning let me hear of your mercy, for in you I trust. Show me the path I should walk, for I entrust my life to you. Psalm 143:8

As you welcome the Lord by your side, continue to focus on your marriage starting with your behavior. Share your love, diminish your arguments, snuff out resentments, increase your affirmations, and resolve to be a light for other marriages. 

What an amazing start to a new year! Let us pray for one another that we may take the first step and keep moving!

Peace, Joy, and Love,

Janet

Prayers of praise, gratitude, and thanksgiving are a wonderful way to start anew. Pass it on!