Pray for Families (Grace and Peace)

Greetings Prayer Warriors,

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Ephesians 1:2

This Christmas Season, may your prayer of action be spending quality time with your family AND bringing forth your best self. Say some prayers to de-stress yourself, or do whatever you need to in order that all your family sees in you is a center of joy and peace. Yes, it can be a tall order, but let’s pray for each other!

“Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” Luke 2:14

Blessings of peace, joy, and love on this pre-Christmas weekend! 

Peace, Joy, and Love,

Janet

Send a message of peace to someone. Pass it on!

Pray for Marriage (Gifts of Joy)

Greetings Prayer Warriors,

As we enter the  third week of Advent, we are reminded on “Gaudete” Sunday, to “rejoice”, for the Savior is near.  The pink Advent Candle of this week represents joy.  

"And the angel said to them, “Be not afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy which will come to all the people; for to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord."  Luke 2:10-11

When we allow Christ in, we can’t help but be joyful.  Think of the most joyful person you know.  They may not have the perfect life, but I can guarantee you they know the Lord!  Every day we make a decision to be vessels of joy or not.  What are you choosing? 

Are you missing the moments of joy Christ brings each day to uplift you?  The Lord adores you and wants to be adored, so He will send little signs of His love to let you know He is there, if only we pause long enough to recognize the whispers, gestures, and smiles that arrive through unexpected means.  For example, today when I opened a mail order package, slipped inside was a sticker with my “special word” on it.  I know it was the Lord’s message to me, and it brought me great joy.  However,  I am not to just keep that joy for myself, but carry it into the world, beginning in my marriage.

Be joyful, for the Light is coming into the world, and chasing away the darkness.  Awaken to the special  moments, and pray to be a vessel of joy in your marriage.

Peace, Joy, and Love,

Janet

Send sparks of joy!  Pass it on! 

P.S.  Since I missed last Friday’s prayer reminder, pray for joy to abound in your family too!

Pray for Marriages (Emanating Peace)

 Greetings Prayer Warriors,

Happy second week of Advent! The second advent candle represents peace. What a perfect focus for marriage this week!  

Maybe you have a peace filled marriage, maybe not. Either way, the holiday season can destroy your peace, making you sing, “Oh tidings of comfort and joy!” just to bring back some hope!

May the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you. 2 Thessalonians 3:16

This week, work on avoiding triggers, diffusing unavoidable tensions, and becoming a better version of yourself. That alone should bring more peace into your marriage. As you know, nothing is possible without prayer, so keep praying for all marriages, that they may be strengthened with the bond of His peace.

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give it to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid.  John 14:27

Blessings of peace upon your week!

Peace, Joy, and Love,

Janet

Be a peace-bearer. Pass it on! 

Pray for Families (Tidings of Comfort and Joy)

 Greetings Prayer Warriors,

Recently, I met with a friend who fell away from her faith a long time ago. Our conversation wandered into faith and she questioned how God can let bad things happen to good people, yet some evil people are left unscathed. Particularly on her mind was the loss of her young adult son a couple years ago, which is a pain she carries daily. Yet for me, the right words of comfort always seem out of reach…can words alone fill the breach?  I cannot fathom the pain of a lost child, but I do know that those with faith can eventually find some peace. 

My soul, be at rest in God alone, from whom comes my hope. Psalm 62:6

We all experience loss to different degrees, and each type causes its own unique pain.  I think of the one who cares for their spouse with dementia.  They experience the emotional loss of the person they fell in love with, but now who no longer knows nor recognizes them.  Some have family members who have severed their relationship with them, or vice versa because it was toxic.  An irreplaceable loss however, still exists.  Others grieve the passing of a parent who died all too soon, feeling untethered for the first time.  All of these people struggle to regain their former joy.  Luckily,  we were given a promise.

 Blessed are they who mourn, for they will be comforted. Matthew 5:4

What all these have in common is that they are all part of God’s perfect plan, yet understanding or explaining the “why” can leave us at a loss for words at a time we are trying to bring comfort to another. 

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

Let us pray for those who are feeling the loss of a loved one and an immense void, only heightened by the thought of a holiday gathering with an empty chair. 

Lord of mercy and love, while we can’t fathom your ways, give us the desire to accept your Holy Will. When we see someone in pain, give us the words, the glance, the touch, to comfort them. Give those who mourn the faith to trust in your love and compassion for them, that they may turn toward you rather than run away from you. May your healing graces flow even more abundantly this time of year, reigniting joy and bringing about a renewal of faith in You. Dearest Savior, save them with your love!

Peace, Joy, and Love,

Janet

Spread some joy and compassion to someone who is struggling. Pass it on! 

Pray for Marriages (Keep it Simple)

 Greetings Prayer Warriors,

Tis the season to feel a bit overwhelmed, and it is all too easy to squeeze out one’s scheduled prayer time.  Never the intention, but…  Still, one can always feel the effects of NOT praying!

Sometimes it takes a new approach. Everytime you trim the tree, drape the garland, hang a wreath, wrap a present, etc., Pray “Bless my marriage (or bless _____’s marriage, praise the Lord!”

Rejoice always. Pray without ceasing. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-17

 Keep it simple!

Rejoice in hope, endure in affliction, persevere in prayer.  Romans 12:12

Peace, Joy, and Love,

Janet

The message is simple: Pass it on!