Pray for Families (Healing and Unification)

Greetings Prayer Warriors, 

It’s  been quite a week of happenings, and I imagine many of you are still processing all that you have read, seen, and heard. What God allows is hard. Yet, senseless death is incomprehensible.

Satan is trying to create division via his many minions, yet, by overplaying his hand, people are starting to unify. All should feel safe to travel on public transportation without fear of being murdered. All should enjoy exercising their freedom of speech as guaranteed by our constitution without repercussions. While many are stunned, even more are silently hurting. When refugees get stabbed on trains, and those who speak of God’s love and the importance of marriage and family get targeted, what is one to think?  

Blessed are you who are now weeping, for you will laugh. Blessed are you when people hate you, and when they exclude and insult you, and denounce your name as evil on account of the Son of Man. Rejoice and leap for joy on that day! Behold, your reward will be great in heaven. 

Luke 6:21-23

May all of you hear God’s call to prayer. While He calls us to pray for the grieving spouses, children, and families of those who were murdered, He also calls us to pray for all those in this world who are suffering due to the loss of a friend or beloved family member. 

Lord, have mercy on us all, your beloved children!  Guide us to truth, love, and forgiveness, and bring back the joy we have lost. May we praise your merciful love, and never fear to speak truth, now and forever.  Amen. 

Peace, Joy, and Love,

Janet

Be bold! Pray for the saints and the sinners! Pass it on!

Pray for Marriages (The Great Surrender)

Greetings Prayer Warriors,

God’s ways often defy logic. Perhaps that is because He is above logic, boundaries, and outside of time.  He does what is loving and just, even if we don’t understand it.We may rebel, scream in defiance, and secretly think He doesn’t understand, defaulting to following our own will.  Do we not sometimes feel that way? Does it cause us to silence the voice of God and the promptings of the Spirit, especially in marriage?

Consider Joseph, spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary.  His head told him to leave the pregnant Mary, but as an honorable man, not to bring her shame. Yet, in the end, he followed the will of God, even though it was contrary to what a respectable Jewish man would have thought to be proper.  He knew to stay, he may have been ridiculed, mocked, and shamed along with Mary, for she obviously was pregnant out of wedlock. Yet, his trust in the Lord prevailed.

Now this is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about. When his mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found with child through the holy Spirit. Joseph her husband, since he was a righteous man, yet unwilling to expose her to shame, decided to divorce her quietly. Such was his intention when, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home. For it is through the holy Spirit that this child has been conceived in her. Matthew 1:18-20

You may know of marriages, perhaps even your own, where your whole being is telling you to leave, move on, sever ties. You may think many of your friends and family would truly understand “the why”. Yet, what if the Lord asked you to stay? What if you looked like you were crazy to stay? Quite the dilemma? Ask St. Joseph to pray for you, that you too may know the will of God. 

Let us pray for those seeking to understand God’s will in their marriage. What might He be asking you to change?  

Lord, you have placed each of us on a journey, one of seeking, discerning, and endless surrender to your Divine Will. In your mercy, be generous with your grace, remove the darkness that clouds our intellect, and soften the hardness in our hearts.  Help us to first change ourselves before we beg that you change the other. May we intercede in prayer endlessly on behalf of our spouse and our family, and may you grant us the humility to surrender our will to Yours. Jesus, we trust in You!

Peace, Joy, and Love,

Janet

Lord, have mercy on us, and grant us the grace to conform to your will! Pass it on!

Pray for Families (Finding Joy Along The Way)

Greetings Prayer Warriors, 

As I watch the world evolve daily, it looks so very different from the one I grew up in and I am not quite sure what to feel. However, I do worry for the generations behind me.  As much as I appreciate some of the evolution, I don’t care much for the revolution. Many things I find quite distressing, such as there seems to be a growing lack of common sense, lies are called truth and truths are called lies, the youth are taught what to think, not how to think, and historical norms are being replaced by immoral ones. While that may be one level of stress, add to that your daily challenges, unexpected roadblocks, unplanned detours, and before you know it, “life” is stealing your joy! 

But we aren’t going to allow that to happen, for we know the source of joy!

This week, I am going to ask that each of you focus on praying for your own family’s needs, including your own. Do an inventory of where each family member needs God’s blessing and direct your focus there.  Spend each day in prayer, petitioning the Lord, while also thanking Him for all blessings. And when you are feeling down, never forget the good news.

“Behold, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.” Luke 2:10

We have great cause for joy! We have a Savior, who atoned for the sins of ALL of mankind. He loves us and will never leave us. He is our help, our companion, and our strength.

Let them bring me to your holy mountain, to the place of your dwelling, That I may come to the altar of God, to God, my joy, my delight. Then I will praise you with the harp, O God, my God. Why are you downcast, my soul? Why do you groan within me? Wait for God, for I shall again praise him, my savior and my God. Psalms 43:3-5

Keep your eyes fixed on Jesus, and there you will always find joy. Soon, the storms of life will become but a passing distraction in comparison. 

Peace, Joy, and Love,

Janet

Keep on praying!  Pass it on! 

Pray for Families (Sufficient Grace)

Greetings Prayer Warriors,

Family Life occasionally has ”bookend” moments,  times of simultaneous caring for the young and the old.  Understanding truly begins when you give birth to your children.  You never could have imagined how much work a new baby would be, as it feels impossible to carve out time for even a moment to yourself.  Fast forward.  Many of you now have aging parents either living with you or under your supervision.  Time with them is so precious, but can be as draining as a new baby.  It’s as if the Lord trained you up in self-denial early on, so you would be able to exercise patience, nurturing, and tender loving care for an aging parent (or two)!  

The human heart plans the way, but the LORD directs the steps.  

Proverbs 16:9

When these bookend periods overlap, it can feel overwhelming, but remember, each cross given is a gift.  It is through the cross that we lean into Jesus as he walks with us.  He asks that we trust in Him and let go of the reins.  He will guide us and bless us with all the graces and virtues we need to move forward, if only we humbly acknowledge our weakness, for it is in emptying ourselves that we receive. 

“My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.” 

2 Corinthians 12:9

He gifts us too with supportive friends, family, and even acquaintances, as well as personal prayer warriors!  Prayers are like helium, they lift us up and prevent us from falling!  

A glad heart lights up the face, but an anguished heart breaks the spirit. Proverbs 15:13

So pray for one another, especially for those caregivers with an anguished heart.

For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that he may grant you in accord with the riches of his glory to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in the inner self.  Ephesians 3:14-16

May their hearts be gladdened and their spirits be continually lifted through our prayers!

Peace, Joy, and Love,

Janet

Prayer never takes a vacation.  (Even if this blog does!) Keep it up and pass it on!

Pray for Marriages (6G Experience)

 Greetings Prayer Warriors,

You probably know about and even use 5G because you want great connectivity. But have you heard of 6G? It has the largest network and delivers amazing and reliable connectivity in one’s marriage.

Foundations of 6G

God - King of Connectivity - He towers above all; reaches every soul

Grace - Wireless; penetrates the heart and mind when obstructions are removed 

Gratitude - Necessary for uninterrupted service

Giving - Builds the network to secure solid connections

Growth - All to the above cause growth to both the receiver and giver

Glory - Improved communications build stability, and connectivity perfects. Shouts of glory reach the main tower.

[It is] only God, who causes the growth. For we are God’s co-workers; you are God’s field, God’s building. 1 Corinthians 3:7, 9

In other words, God must always be our foundation if we are to grow. Even if only one spouse is doing all the praying, invite God into the relationship, even if He was previously kicked out, never invited, or ignored. Pray for the grace necessary to improve connectivity to your spouse, but also offer to your spouse the grace of patience, understanding, and forgiveness, especially during disagreements or when you find their imperfections annoying! Give willingly of your time and attention. Show gratitude to your spouse through acknowledgement of all they do and appreciation for the blessing they are, being specific.  Such generosity leads to the spiritual growth of each spouse. Then, when you realize you improved connections not just during the hilltop experiences, but also in the valleys and deserts, you’ll know you’ve reached the 6G experience because praise and glory will spill forth from your lips and reverberate to the heavens.

For we are God’s co-workers; you are God’s field, God’s building. 1 Corinthians 3:9

Help others have a 6G experience. Pray, pray, pray, pray, pray, pray! 

Worthy are you, Lord our God, to receive glory and honor and power! Revelation 4:11

Peace, Joy, and Love,

Janet

Increase connectivity within your network. Pass it on!  

Pray for Families (A Companion for the Journey)

Greetings  Prayer Warriors,

Today is the feast day of the Assumption of Mary, thus I feel impelled to celebrate not only that the Lord gave us earthly mothers, but He gave us his own mother! 

“Behold, your mother.”John 19:27

Jesus wanted all of us to receive all the love, tenderness, compassion, and guidance that he experienced from his mother on earth. What a gift! 

Consider all those who lost mothers in childhood, were abandoned at birth, had mothers with addictions, mental disorders, personality defects, or spiritual wounds that resulted in unwarranted harshness, neglect, and inability to love. Reflect on those who mourn the loss of their mothers at any stage of life. Add those who feel alone and misunderstood as single persons, parent(s), widows, or divorcees. Only one who has suffered greatly, like the Blessed Mother, can understand such suffering, and walk with you through it. She is a mother of consolation, kindness, and love.

“Most blessed are you among women.” Luke 1:42

One of great humility, she will gently build you up in the virtues.  

“My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God my savior, for he has looked upon his handmaid’s lowliness." Luke 1:46-48

She will lead you to great holiness!

“Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.” Luke 1:38

In doing so, she will guide you to Jesus.

The Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name. 

Luke 1:49

Will you accept Christ’s gift to you, His own Mother?

Ask the Blessed Mother to pray with you to Jesus for all your family’s needs and the desires of your heart. She will delight in your request! And so will the Lord!

Peace, Joy, and Love,

Janet

Keep praying, especially for family! Pass it on! 

Pray for Marriages (The Cobblestone Road to Holiness)

Greetings Prayer Warriors,

Nothing is as beautiful to God as a soul crying out to Him. Perhaps He has been waiting for that very moment when a beloved child realizes how much he needs the Father. How often in our lives have we ignored God until we hit a breaking point, and then our soul reawakens and we cry out to the only one who truly loves us unconditionally, our Lord!

This can happen at any time in life, but especially in marriage. One finds their “true love”, pushes God aside, has their “dream wedding” and neglects to invite the Lord, and as the honeymoon phase wanes, reality begins. Or, one does invite the Lord to the wedding, but the “seven year itch” wasn’t in their plan!  Riding on cobblestones no longer seems romantic and the journey becomes unpleasant. Who was expecting so many bumps? Love becomes harder and as the feelings fade, love transitions to a conscious act of the will. We learn that love is a choice, and we must choose to love, as true love is an action. The road to holiness has begun!

Since my heart was embittered and my soul deeply wounded, I was stupid and could not understand; I was like a brute beast in your presence. Yet I am always with you; you take hold of my right hand. With your counsel you guide me, and at the end receive me with honor. Psalms 73:21-24

Let us pray for all those marriages traveling on the cobblestones and rocky roads in life. May their souls reawaken to all the Lord has waiting for those who love Him. Curb their desire to flee, and help them fall in love with Thee. For it is in loving You, that they will receive the grace to reflect Your love to their spouse and find a love reignited.

We know that all things work for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28

Though my flesh and my heart fail, God is the rock of my heart, my portion forever. Psalms 73:26

May the Lord bless all of you for your faithfulness!

Peace, Joy, and Love,

Janet

Say a prayer; help a marriage. Pass it on! 

Pray for Families (Prayer and Scripture)

Greetings Prayer Warriors,

Change is hard, whether it’s developing a new habit (e.g.Daily prayer time) or breaking a bad one (e.g. Too much screen time). It starts with a desire, and then a commitment to move forward one day at a time. But then there is the forced change, usually dictated by employers or the culture, such as keeping up with technology, changing your vocabulary to comply with current dictates, and learning AI. 

Most of us have dealt with unwanted change, but AI is still new to most of us.  While no one can argue its utility, I remain concerned about just who is programming who?  

While we can’t always halt “progress”, we can commit to being guardians of our family, especially when it comes to technology and the ever changing cultural “norms”. However, we must be informed and  grounded in the Truth. It starts with a foundation of prayer and scripture. 

The Spirit of truth, he will guide you to all truth. He will not speak on his own, but he will speak what he hears, and will declare to you the things that are coming. John 16:13

Lord, help us discern, find moderation, and never fear speaking the truth in love. 

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

Lord, grant us wisdom, that we may reflect your love and truth within our families. Help us to teach and listen. Guide us as we build like-minded communities of prayer, to strengthen, protect, encourage, and hold us accountable, especially when we feel weary and alone. May our Guardian Angels remain at our sides, to light and to guard, to rule and guide. Amen.

And your ears shall hear a word behind you: “This is the way; walk in it.” Isaiah 30:31

Peace, Joy, and Love,

Janet

Build your community to strengthen families. Pass it on! 

Pray for Marriages (Understanding and Perseverance)

Greetings Prayer Warriors,

We have been praying for marriages for a long time, and graces have been abundant as a result of that. You may have been praying for a particular marriage, perhaps your own or a loved one’s.  Maybe you saw the effect of your prayers, maybe not. However, if I’ve learned anything in life, it is that God’s timing has little resemblance to MY (preferred) timing. We often pray thinking that if we follow a specified formula, we will get what we want. But then when that doesn’t happen, we question God. WE knew what WE needed. How could the answer be silence or inaction? 

Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives; and the one who seeks, finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. 

Matthew 7:7-8

This can leave us confused. But the Lord does answer. Perhaps He first tests your faith. Then he may test your commitment to your marital vows. He may even take the opportunity to help you grow in virtue (understanding, patience, perseverence). He may even help you remove the beam from your eyes!* He is pouring out gifts to you, but you don’t notice because they weren’t what you asked for, but He knew they are what you (or your spouse) needed. “Everyone who asks, receives!” He is opening the kingdom to you, but preparing you first!

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

He never wearies of your voice, your prayers, and your petitions. In fact, he delights in them.

Lord, we admit, that we can sometimes become weary in prayer, as we wait in anticipation of a response. We sometimes feel hidden, neglected, and unheard. Help us to understand that we are always seen by a loving Father who never loses sight of His children, are loved by God beyond human measure, and that every murmur and sigh of ours is heard with clarity by our Lord. Help us to see our spouse with the eyes of the Father. Grant us the patience with our spouse the Lord provides to us. Finally, help us to persevere in prayer with an unwavering trust. Be generous with your gift of faith. You are our strength, Lord, and we will always trust in you. 

“I do believe, help my unbelief!” Mark 9:24

Peace, Joy, and Love,

Janet

Belief is born of prayer. Keep praying and pass it on! 

* Matthew 7:5

Pray for Families (A Loud Witness of Faith)

Greetings Prayer Warriors,

Do you ever feel like your spiritual wisdom falls on deaf ears within your family? Do family members roll their eyes when the subject matter of your conversation is spiritual in nature? Do they exchange glances with each other knowingly acknowledging each other’s perceptions of what they perceive to be over the top?  

What we really want them to say/think is:

“Where did this man [woman] get such wisdom and mighty deeds? 

Matthew 13:54

Most likely that’s not going to happen!  But the reality is, you are in good company!  Jesus endured this very thing among his community.

And they took offense at him. But Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his native place and in his own house.”  

Matthew 13:57

Do not become disheartened, but rather, may it become a motivating spark for you, for you have found a new purpose; to pray for an increase of their faith!  

Lord, we pray that how we live our lives becomes a much stronger voice than our words. Grant those we love the gift of faith. May the grace bestowed on our family and loved ones help them discover the spiritual and emotional stability only born of faith. With that growth, may they  abound in joy and find true and lasting peace beyond not only their imagination, but ours. Finally, help all of us persevere in prayer for family and one another. Together, we are stronger! Increase our family blessings! Jesus, we trust in You! Amen.

Peace, Joy, and Love,

Janet

Ignite someone’s faith. Live as a witness and pray! Pass it on! 

Pray for Marriages (Respect and Self-Control)

 Greetings Prayer Warriors,

Did I mention that I am studying and meditating on an expanded list of virtues? If they pertain to life, they pertain to marriage, so let’s discuss two of them, respect and self-control. 

How easy it is in marriage to inflate ourselves with self-righteousness and become disrespectful to our spouse as a result of a lack of self-control. How easy it is to judge, air grievances, and create a punitive sentence! We slam shut the door to our heart, or force the other to do so in self-defense. When our burdens are the heaviest, be they emotional or physical, self-control is the hardest. Let’s turn to Jesus and Mary who did not lose self-control when they were faced with unimaginable crosses, but rather, remained steadfast in endurance, love, and trust. 

For I do not do the good I want, but I do the evil I do not want. Now if [I] do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me.  Romans 7:20

Lord, how often we can default to “the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” How often do we let anger take control of our emotions and actions? How often do we poison the air with our words? How often do we justify our unwise and uncharitable actions by blaming another? Clearly, we are in need of your grace. Help free us from sin and grant us all we need to grow in virtue. Teach us to love others as you love us, with kindness, compassion, and gentleness. Grant us the self-control you and your Mother Mary had, trusting and resting in the secure arms of the Father and leaving all judgement to Him, while still praying for your persecutors. Walk with us Lord; show us the way. Amen.

Do not subject us to the final test, but deliver us from the evil one.  

Matthew 6:13

Prayer is the ultimate weapon against Satan, and our best weapon. Keep praying for marriages, especially those in the most need.

Peace, Joy, and Love,

Janet

Every prayer counts. Make prayer go viral, and pass it on!

Pray for Families (A “Different” Approach)

Greetings Prayer Warriors,

Have you noticed it isn’t as easy living as a Christian as it may have been decades ago? There is both a subtle and not so subtle push against Christian principles. There is a current against any type of Godly virtue, especially when it comes to morality (and even dress). Truth is now pedaled as relative, not objective (ie “My truth”). In a “look at me world” humility has been tossed aside, never considered (and seldom taught). A practicing Christian now stands out as “different”. 

Let’s embrace different! People need to see and experience more charity, kindness, patience, forgiveness, generosity, attentiveness, temperance, wisdom, respect, etc. Let’s never be daunted by living a virtuous life on full display. Let’s not worry about the pushback or lack of acceptance, nor be discouraged when we fall, but arise in the joy and freedom only found in Christ.

We are afflicted in every way, but not constrained; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our body.  2 Corinthians 4:8-10

Begin building the virtues in your family, find a like-minded community, and go out and shine His light in this darkened world. But of course, pray first!

Peace, Joy, and Love,

Janet

We do nothing alone. Begin each day in prayer. Pass it on! 

Pray for Marriages (Forgiveness)

 Greetings Prayer Warriors,

Are you a continuous learner? I like to think I am. However, the more I learn, the more I realize how much I don’t know! Currently, I am doing a self-guided spiritual retreat (with book and workbook) on growing in the virtues. (46 of them!) While each is challenging, I was struck by the chapter on forgiveness. My knee-jerk reaction was that I have forgiven everyone, but then I was quickly awakened and challenged.  Thus, I offer the challenge to each of you …

Ask the Lord to show you whom you still harbor unforgiveness towards.  For the purpose of our group prayer, let’s focus on spouse or family. Begin with “Dear _____, I am angry with you because _____….   (Go into detail, and let it flow.) Then, follow up with “Dear _____, I forgive you for _____… (same detail). 

 If one has a grievance against another; as the Lord has forgiven you, so must you also do. Colossians 3:13

You will find this challenging, humbling, and transformative. Perhaps the person you have to forgive is yourself? No need to stop at one person!

All bitterness, fury, anger, shouting, and reviling must be removed from you, along with all malice. [And] be kind to one another, compassionate, forgiving one another as God has forgiven you in Christ.  Ephesians 4:31-32

Lord, as we pray for marriages (and family) lead us to a place of healing, forgiveness, and contrition, for all we have done, and all we have failed to do. May we be equally merciful to all who have hurt, ignored, abused, and offended us in any way, especially our spouses. Help us to love as you have loved, with an unwavering and unconditional love. May your grace be abundant, so that we can grow in the virtue of forgiveness.  Jesus, we trust in You!

Please continue to pray for one another and for all marriages, as Satan delights in it’s destruction. Fight back with prayer! 

Peace, Joy, and Love, 

Janet

Prayer is a most powerful weapon! Pass it on!

Pray for Marriages (A Double Portion)

 Greeting Prayer Warriors!

I am on vacation and my internet  connection is spotty at best. So this will just be a simple reminder to pray for marriages while I can find a connection. 

 Rejoice always. Pray without ceasing. 1 Thessalonians 5:15-16

Peace, Joy, and Love,

Janet

Pray a double portion and pass it on!