Pray for Marriages (The Way to Perfection)

Greetings Prayer Warriors,

Occasionally over the years in my profession, when a team desired to give feedback to a boss, they would first come together as a team and using the format of “Stop-Start-Continue” as a framework, would make list of what they wanted the boss to stop doing, what they wanted the boss to start doing, and what they’d like the boss to continue doing as a leader. It was an effective and gentle way to provide group-to-boss feedback and help the leader in their personal development.  

I then amused myself by pondering how that might work 1-1 with a spouse. "Honey, could you stop leaving dishes in the sink, start putting them in the dishwasher, and continue to empty that dishwasher after its run?" Or vice versa, "Honey, could you stop leaving your hair in the drain, start cleaning it out daily, but please do continue to clean the bathrooms!" These conversations would not go well if we are only trying to perfect our spouse!

Honestly, I was most struck by the fact that these are conversations that we should be having with ourselves first of all, as “start-stop-continue” is truly the way to our own perfection. 

For example, consider a sample of what we are taught in Scripture. 

Stop:

Put to death, then, the parts of you that are earthly: immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and the greed that is idolatry.  But now you must put them all away: anger, fury, malice, slander, and obscene language out of your mouths. Stop lying to one another, since you have taken off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed, for knowledge, in the image of its creator.  Colossians 3:5, 8-10

Start:

Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, bearing with one another and forgiving one another, if one has a grievance against another; as the Lord has forgiven you, so must you also do. And over all these put on love, that is, the bond of perfection. Colossians 3:12-14

Continue 😁 : 

Pray without ceasing. 1 Thessalonians 5:17

As you pray, listen to the Holy Spirit as he guides you to what the Lord is asking you personally to stop, start, continue. Then please pray that the eyes and ears of our hearts are opened wide, and that we all become greater blessings in our marriages!

Peace, Joy, and Love,

Janet

For a stronger marriage, work on yourself! Pass it on!

Pray for Families (Resolving to Persevere)

Greetings Prayer Warriors,

Happy New Year! We’ve made it to 2025, and there is no stopping us now! The world is in need of prayer more than ever!

When I began these emails which flowered into a blog in late 2019, I was still a relative neophyte in prayer. Sure I prayed, but I must admit my prayer life has blossomed since then, as has my love of scripture. I hope that you too have seen the effect of grace as you’ve continued to pray for marriage and family. My own prayers surround your personal intentions, and my hope is that you have experienced some positive answers.

Persevere in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. Colossians 89:2

In 2025, one of my spiritual  goals is to be more aware of His daily presence, unwavering encouragement, and the little gifts He gives that I notice and acknowledge all too seldom. With gratitude may I become more thankful, focusing on the good, as well as the greater purposes of the crosses He gifts me. I also desire to become more loving towards others. Sometimes it’s easy, but whenever I think that, the Lord brings me someone more challenging to love! Since I hate to work on resolutions alone, I challenge you to come up with your own spiritual goals or copy mine!!

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

Finally, persevering in prayer goes without saying, yet it takes time and focus, because the Evil One delights in interrupting our prayer time! He has learned how much our prayers form a mighty shield over our loved ones and he hates it! You are making an impact!   So…

Draw your strength from the Lord and from his mighty power. Put on the armor of God so that you may be able to stand firm against the tactics of the devil. In all circumstances, hold faith as a shield, to quench all [the] flaming arrows of the evil one. Ephesians 6: 11, 12, 16

May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and to the endurance of Christ. 2 Thessalonians 3:5

Peace, Joy, and Love,

Janet

Grow the army of warriors and pass it on!