Pray for Marriages (Choosing Life!)

 Greetings Prayer Warriors,

Wisdom is often born of pain. Hindsight is 20-20. However, we live and make decisions in the here and now. Often they are emotionally driven, and not thought through. Words and actions in our marriage can have a ripple effect, be it positive or negative.

A soothing tongue is a tree of life, but a perverse one breaks the spirit. Proverbs 15: 4

There are no “do-overs” when it comes to unkind words. Maybe that’s why silence is golden and there is a wisdom to silence, not the silence of icing someone out, but the silence that shows restraint, the silence that harnesses our emotions. 

Death and life are in the power of the tongue; those who choose one shall eat its fruit. Proverbs 18:21

Yet while words are restrained, actions need to be abundant. Small kindnesses, speak volumes. A loving touch shows you care. A helping hand unburdens another. Handing your spouse a cup of coffee in the morning (or their favorite beverage) is a wonderful show of amends!

Tell them to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous, ready to share, thus accumulating as treasure a good foundation for the future, so as to win the life that is true life. 1 Timothy 6:18-19

We are all journeying to our final home. It’s best not to lose sight of that!  

I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. Choose life! Deuteronomy 30:19

Let us continue to pray for each other, that our marriages be centers of life!

Peace, Joy, and Love,

Janet

Blessed be your marriages! Pass it on! 

Pray for Families (A Time for Everything)

 Greetings Prayer Warriors,

Any parent who has adult children or other family members who are not living a Christian lifestyle and who remain outside of the church has an inward struggle as to whether they are doing enough to positively affect the situation. How much questioning, prodding, and or encouraging should one do, especially when there is a lack of receptivity or even anger when the subject is brought up?

There is an appointed time for everything, and a time for every affair under the heavens. Ecclesiastes 3:1

I find it helpful to look  back on one’s own life. Was there a time in your life when you were not receptive to anyone’s “opinion” about your life? Would words have mattered? The Lord has a plan for all of his children. His timing is perfect. YOU may just  not be the messenger He sends to your loved ones!!

A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to be silent, and a time to speak.  Ecclesiastes 3:7

Holding one’s tongue is difficult, especially when you worry about those you love.  What we are called to do is trust in God, and have faith that he loves our family MORE than we do.

God has made everything appropriate to its time, but has put the timeless into their hearts so they cannot find out, from beginning to end, the work which God has done. Ecclesiastes 3:11

Let us act in ways that do bear fruit. Continue to pray for your family and give glory to God for all His mighty works, seen and unseen. As always, stay united in prayer  for each other’s families, and be attentive to where the Lord does call you to act or speak on His behalf.  

I pray that  your faith, hope and love grows in abundance!

Peace, Joy, and Love,

Janet

Never tire of praying! Pass it on! 

Pray for Marriages (Loving the We)

 Greetings Prayer Warriors,

Everyday can be a different struggle as we attempt to harness our selfish ambitions, our desire to be esteemed, and our need for worldly success, (aka $$$). Or perhaps your challenge is the opposite in that you lack ambition/direction, you wallow in self-loathing, and struggle with your finances. Neither is a healthy version of oneself to bring into a marriage or to become once married, as It will only sow discord.  

For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every foul practice. James 3:16

Yet, we often end up at a place in marriage where we never planned nor dreamed we’d be. The hardest transition to make in life is from me to we. Yet, at the one time we should be looking inward at ourselves, we prefer to look at all the ways our spouse should change.

Let us pray for an expanded capacity to embrace and love the “we”.  

Lord help us to find the balance of loving ourselves enough to love another, rather than  indulging our every desire at the expense of the other. Let us aspire not to earthly wealth, but rather heavenly riches. May we not dwell in spiritual sloth, rather may we find our true direction by actively seeking you. Grant us wisdom, love, and peace.

“What eye has not seen, and ear has not heard, and what has not entered the human heart, what God has prepared for those who love him,”1 Corinthians 2:9

Lord, help us love you more, for the wealth of our love springs forth from You! 

Peace, Joy, and Love,

Janet

Pray for an increase in love. Pass it on! 

Pray for Marriages (Healing and Renewal)

 Greetings Prayer Warriors,

While we understand the purpose of Christ’s dying on the cross for our salvation, for some reason understanding our own crosses isn’t so easy. Who likes to suffer?? We love the blessings and consolations, but crosses and desolations we grumble about, complaining to God about our heavy burdens, especially our marital ones. Must we really suffer? He reminds us of His invitation to surrender to His will.

For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and that of the gospel will save it. Mark 8:35

The whispers of the "Father of Lies" are much more appealing. “You deserve to be happy, don’t you? You deserve better!” “Imagine how wonderful your life will be if you divorce and move on!” “Have that affair! You deserve to be loved!” “You shouldn’t have to suffer, endure, nor persevere!”  “Follow me and I will give you the life you dream of!”

“All these I shall give to you, if you will prostrate yourself and worship me.” Matthew 4:9

Everyone is in a different situation. Some have good marriages with occasional bumps. Some have roller-coaster marriages. Others have marriages that rarely see the mountaintop. All are vulnerable to The Tempter. The good news is, that even if you have fallen, repent and return to the Lord, and He will heal you.

For my soul has been freed from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling. I shall walk before the LORD in the land of the living. 

Psalms 116:8-9

Lord, we come before you in humble prayer, asking for an outpouring of grace upon marriages. Bless those who are dedicated to their marriage, those trying their hardest to stay committed, and those losing their foothold and desperately trying to hold on. We also pray for those who have given up, lost hope, and are hurting immensely.  We believe all things are possible with your grace, so with expectant faith, we ask for the healing and renewal of marriages. The world (and its evil forces) needs to witness the power of your love within marriages, especially since it seeks to destroy them. We trust in your merciful love. Most Precious Blood of Jesus Christ, heal and save all marriages! Amen.

Peace, Joy, and Love,

Janet

Pray for the healing of marriages and pass it on!

Pray for Families (Indescribable Gifts)

Greetings Prayer Warriors,

Family is beautiful, fun, challenging, rewarding, and such a gift! While one’s emotions towards family may be variable, the gift of time and experience gives one perspective.What teen doesn’t think their parents are awful, only to realize how amazing they are once they become adults? What child didn’t think their little brother or sister was annoying, only to become close later in life? Who didn’t cherish an aunt, uncle, or cousin who made you feel extra special or stood in the gap for you? Yes, family indeed is a gift!

Therefore, our God, we give you thanks. 1 Chronicle 29:13

Equally a blessing, are those who are like family; those friends and neighbors of the heart. The ones we “adopt” or adopt us because one or both of us don’t have family nearby. Think of those other than family who showed up in the worst of times to stand with you. They too deserve our prayers, and the Lord our God is worthy of more praise!

Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift! 2 Corinthians 9:15

Lord, how you know us and bless us. Everything you do for our good. Despite pains and trials, you use those to  bring about greater good. You always surround us with family and friends who love and  support us in the  journey of life, and boost us when our energy wanes. We praise you for the gift of family, and giving us friends to fill the empty spaces. We  praise you and thank you, for such gifts, as we never walk alone. We trust in your merciful love! Amen.

All your works give you thanks, LORD and your faithful bless you. 

Psalms 145:10

Peace, Joy, and Love,

Janet 

Give thanks and praise to the Lord for the gift of family and friends. Pass it on! 

Pray for Marriages (All You Need is Love!)

 Greetings Prayer Warriors, 

Who doesn’t want more LOVE!  We all do!  Who wants to give more love?  Only some. 

The best way to nurture love in a relationship  is to give it, especially when we don’t feel like it, because love isn’t a simple feeling, but an ACTION!  To be able to love so unconditionally, we must first step out of our own darkness (sin), attach ourselves to Love Himself, and He will show us the way.

For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light, for light produces every kind of goodness and righteousness and truth. Ephesians 5:8-9

To love your spouse is to share Christ’s light, love, and truth. We need to bring more Light into this darkened world, beginning at home with our spouses. 

Love is a decision.  Pray for the grace to execute on it!

Peace, Joy, and Love,

Janet

Feelings follow actions.  Love first and pass it  on! 

Pray for Families (The Promise of Mercy)

Greetings Prayer Warriors,

How great are the mercies of our Lord! 

Do you ever ponder your youth? Look back on all your foolish decisions, sometimes in amusement, other times in horror? Yet in your heart, didn’t you feel the Lord would never abandon you? Perhaps naively you also assumed your sins were harmless…enough? 

Our sins affect not just ourselves, but the entire Body of Christ. Each sin has a ripple effect, like a pebble or stone thrown in the lake. Those who have had near-death experiences affirm this. We are wrong to assume that sin is harmless, however we absolutely correct that He will never abandon us, at least while we are on earth. We choose our next destination, as we are given free will to follow Him or not.  

Perhaps you are not leading a Godly life or maybe it’s a child, spouse or other relative that is cruising down the road to perdition. Your prayers do matter. For the Lord never tires of hearing our pleas, calling for His sheep, and offering forgiveness if they turn back to Him.

And though I say to the wicked that they shall die, if they turn away from sin and do what is just and right—returning pledges, restoring stolen goods, walking by statutes that bring life, doing nothing wrong—they shall surely live; they shall not die. None of the sins they committed shall be remembered against them. If they do what is right and just, they shall surely live. Ezekiel 33:14-16

May we never lose hope for ourselves or another. May prayers of praise always be on our lips as we rejoice in our loving Savior.  

Peace, Joy, and Love,

Janet

The rewards of prayer are eternal. Pass it on! 

Pray for Marriages (Understanding the Perfect Law of God)

Greetings Prayer Warriors,

Summer is such an uplifting time! Long days, warm rays, and glistening bodies of water lend themselves to abundant fun and lively community gatherings. The sun is the best anti-depressant and life feels easy-breezy!

Let us praise God for the joys of summer! And, when cooler temperatures arrive with Autumn, many more will be praising Him as well!  

The seasons can be great diversions from the daily grind, ongoing conflicts, and crushing disappointments. As mature Christians, we learn to unite our sufferings with Christ, trust in God’s plan for our lives, and to surrender our will to His. For the less mature Christian, agnostic, or atheist, the concern is greater, especially for our young adults who enter into marriage (when they finally do) with little thought of God, and huge fantasies of the perfect life, often not anchored in reality. They don’t perceive anything is missing, so they don’t know what they need!

The law of the LORD is perfect, refreshing the soul. The decree of the LORD is trustworthy, giving wisdom to the simple. The precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart. The command of the LORD is clear, enlightening the eye. The fear of the LORD is pure, enduring forever. The statutes of the LORD are true, all of them just. Psalms 19:8-10

The Lord is the great Sustainer! Our food, our sustenance, and our strength! Thus, I am cheering couples on, most often in the form of prayer. My heart tells me that we need to pump up the volume in this regard!  

Would you join me in praying for the marriages of the engaged, the newlyweds, and those approaching the 7 year itch? Nothing truly prepares one for marriage and family, as no one can imagine the selflessness it begs, the dying to oneself, and the authentic love it requires.

Lord, you ordained marriage as a special covenant where two become one. May we never tire of contemplating that, nor of praying that we come to fully understand it. In a culture that attacks marriage, may our prayers never cease for one another, irregardless if one has been married for a day or 7 decades.  Hear our humble prayers, as we beg for mercy on the most fractured marriages, and grace upon the newly united. May your blessings be more abundant now, than ever before! Jesus, we trust in You!!

Peace, Joy, and Love,

Janet

Pray for a greater capacity to love, and pass it on!