Pray for Families (Respite in His Heart)

Greetings Prayer Warriors,

Have you noticed that as soon as we are old enough to understand what sin is, we begin making excuses for our sin?  This habit unfortunately continues into adulthood.  

We have a whole arsenal of excuses for our sins. The Evil One first tempts us with something very minor, so it feels like we are only cracking the window open. But then more windows open, then the door, and it can progress very rapidly into grave sin. Perhaps as an adolescent, we should have been taught about “gateway sin” versus just “gateway drugs!”   

Common excuses:

• We can’t make it to church on Sunday, our kid has tournaments every weekend!  
• I know that item isn’t mine, but they won’t miss it anyway or they’re rich and privileged and I am not, so it’s my right to take it! 
• I know I wasn’t where I said I’d be, but my (parents/spouse) just wouldn’t understand.
• That lie was just a “white” lie. It’s for their protection! 
• If it’s private, it’s not hurting anyone else, right?

Paradoxically, it isn’t the Lord who will accuse you of your sins, but Satan will do so incessantly! That can lead to not forgiving yourself! However, the Lord, with His merciful and Sacred Heart, will never stop loving you.  It is because of that love that he will softly call you to repentance. 

Where sin increased, grace overflowed all the more. Romans 5:20

For Christ, while we were still helpless, yet died at the appointed time for the ungodly. God proves his love for us in that while we were still sinners Christ died for us. Romans 5:6-8

Pray for your entire family, that no matter the sin, they may always seek reconciliation with the Lord, and find respite in His Sacred Heart.

I tell you, [...] there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous people who have no need of repentance. Luke 15:7

Peace, Joy, and Love,

Janet

Fortify each other in prayer and run to his merciful heart! Pass it on! 

Pray for Marriages (Servant of God!)

 Greetings Prayer Warriors, 

Many things inspire me in my daily walk with God and my desire to become holy; prayer, scripture, saints, and  sometimes it’s a special Servant of God.  One of my favorites when it comes to inspiration in my marriage is Elizabeth Leseur. Becoming a Servant of God is the first step in 4 necessary steps to sainthood. What made her so extraordinary is that while she was a Catholic, she had an atheistic husband who would mock her religion. Rather than shooting figurative arrows back at him, she would offer up each slight and offense for his conversion. She kept a diary of this.  When she died, her husband found and read her journal, and was so moved by it, he converted and became a priest! Now that is inspirational! 

A few insights gleaned:

She did not focus on what was wrong with her marriage, but on the Lord.

She atoned for her sins and those of her husband. 

She embraced suffering and prayer. 

She remained gentle and kind.

She prayed for peace in her soul. 

She practiced thinking less about her faults and more about Christ’s love. 

She reflected the light of Christ to everyone she came in contact with.

Rather than focusing  on her loneliness, she made Jesus the companion of her solitude.

 Thus, by becoming Christ-like, and mirroring his love and mercy, the Lord was able to convert a precious soul (and most likely, more)! Praise God!  

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavens, as he chose us in him, before the foundation of the world, to be holy and without blemish before him. In love he destined us for adoption to himself through Jesus Christ, in accord with the favor of his will, for the praise of the glory of his grace that he granted us in the beloved.  Ephesians 1:3-6

Lord, we have much to aspire to, but help us to focus on you versus our shortcomings, for you always stand in the gap and give us all the graces we need . Help us to love purely and completely, in good times and in bad, with gentleness and kindness. May we be an oasis of your mercy and your love, grounded in peace for our spouse and all those we meet. Thank you for being our Beloved, and seeing the belovedness in each of us. May our praise of You never cease! Amen.

             

Peace, Joy, and Love,

Janet

The path to holiness begins with prayer. Pass it on!

Pray for Families (Gifts Worth Giving)

Greetings Prayer Warriors, 

It’s alarming how much the cost of everything has risen in the last 5 years or so! A cost conscious person begins to ask themselves before buying, “Need or just want?” Yet, who doesn’t love to buy gifts for others?

Yet, some things are still free. The Lord is generous with his gifts, especially the gifts he gives to us for the building up of others. Plus, he knows what you need, and may even gift you what you want!

You probably know people who are amazing hosts, others who are amazing administrators, the person who always makes you feel better after a conversation, those who offer words of knowledge, and others who have organizational savvy you could only long for. Still others who are filled with wisdom, and others with amazing faith. God gives everyone gifts, and if you aren’t sure what yours are, ask a friend, as they most likely see what you don’t! 

There are different kinds of spiritual gifts but the same Spirit. To each individual the manifestation of the Spirit is given for some benefit. 1 Corinthians 12:4,7

Share your gifts, as they are treasures to the ones who receive them!

Peter said, “I have neither silver nor gold, but what I do have I give you: in the name of Jesus Christ the Nazorean, [rise and] walk.” Acts 3:6

You and your family have many intangible gifts, which when shared, can be life altering for others. Start with family prayer and help one another pinpoint their gifts. Then, begin by using them first for the building up of your own family. Then share them with another family, and help them discover their own gifts. Then, pass it on, so all may experience Christ’s love through each other! Imagine that going viral! 

Peace, Joy, and Love,

Janet

Awaken one another to give and to receive. Pass it on!

Pray for Marriages (Faith and Virtue)

 Greetings Prayer Warriors,

Marriage truly is a miracle. Two people with 2 separate upbringings, 2 different family dynamics, and world views shaped by their unique life experiences, come together to become one.  And they believe they can! Undoubtedly, for such a union to last, it takes supernatural grace.

To leave one’s self-serving ways behind is hard. One hardly recognizes their self absorption until they have to give it up! What seemed like an endearing trait during courtship may later become a source of irritation. Compromise is a daily occurrence. Suddenly you realize that marriage is the Lord’s boot camp for couples, as he breaks each of you down so that He can build you back up in the virtues, molding you towards one mind and one heart.

I know, my God, that you put hearts to the test and that you take pleasure in integrity. 1 Chronicles 29:17

However, marriage can feel like a never ending test, and in a heavenly way, it is. No hardship comes our way unless the Lord ordains it. Hardship makes one feel weak and without control. Thus, the Lord tests our faith in Him. He calls us to surrender to His will, so that he can show us the path to unity and everlasting life. 

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

2 Corinthians 12:9

Lord, as each spouse (or even just one) seeks a deep, fulfilling union, show them the way. Help them see that with faith, all things are possible. One can’t truly appreciate the mountaintop if they’ve never spent time in the valley, but please make that time short!  Send rivers of grace to refresh them, sustain them, and quench their thirst for Love Everlasting. Carry them through the raging waters and assist them in the climb.  As they carry you in their hearts, carry them in your arms.  Hear our prayers as we trust in your merciful love!

His divine power has bestowed on us everything that makes for life and devotion, through the knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and power.  For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, virtue with knowledge, knowledge with self-control, self-control with endurance, endurance with devotion, devotion with mutual affection, mutual affection with love. 2 Peter 1:3, 5-7

Peace, Joy, and Love,

Janet

Keep praying for marriages!. Pass it on! 

Pray for Families (Reaching the Summit)

Greetings Prayer Warriors,

Everyone is searching for something in life. More adventures, more challenges, more quiet, more fun, more of everything, even if that means space!! Instinctually, the “summit” is the destination. We are hard wired for ascension. We think ascending means accumulating more. Yet, to rise up, we must pare down, letting go of the unnecessary.

Isn’t that how it is in the building of our relationship with the Lord? At first He seems out of reach, then we realize that it is not God who is far away, but rather we have distanced ourselves from Him. We look inward and come to a stark realization.

What I do, I do not understand. For I do not do what I want, but I do what I hate. Romans 7:15

Again we are faced with the notion of letting go of what we thought were treasures. Until we unburden ourselves of our stubbornness, pride, bitterness, vanity, lust, etc., even “base camp” with the Lord seems unfathomable.

We look not to what is seen but to what is unseen; for what is seen is transitory, but what is unseen is eternal. 2 Corinthians 4:18

The Lord knows we can’t climb the mountain alone, so in His love, he comes down to us at the very first sight of our steps towards Him.  He immediately bestows us with gifts of grace. His disarming love breaks down our walls of resistance, resulting in our ability to release those things that suddenly seem unimportant. Surprisingly, we learn that when we aren’t carrying the unnecessary, we become free to accept the Lord’s embrace and assistance.

“Summiting” can take a lifetime, but God always remains by our side. Here is a sample of the final experience.

I even consider everything as a loss because of the supreme good of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have accepted the loss of all things and I consider them so much rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having any righteousness of my own based on the law but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God,  Philippians 3:8-9

The Lord always grants us all graces necessary, so let us pray that we and our family members have the courage to take that first step!

Peace, Joy, and Love,

Janet

Aspire to the summit! Pass it on! 

Pray for Marriages (Longtimer's Syndrome)

Greetings Prayer Warriors,

Sadness covers me every time I hear of another marriage crumbling, yet I’m not overly surprised, since as the world becomes more agnostic, choices become increasingly about self. For if you aren’t living for God, basking in His love, striving to abide by his commandments, and seeking a blissful eternity with Him, what’s to prevent you from becoming a total narcissist?

Let the wicked forsake their way, and sinners their thoughts; Let them turn to the LORD to find mercy; to our God, who is generous in forgiving. 

Isaiah 55:7

What grieves me even more is the number of marriages I hear of that break up after 20, 30, or 40 years! I see it over and over. Restless spouse syndrome, diverging interests, wandering eyes, midlife crises, and empty nest blues. Plus every nuanced variation in between!

I acknowledge the pain they are feeling and the desperation and loneliness they must feel. They need our prayers, for when haven’t we benefited from another’s intercessory prayers?! I strongly believe in the efficacy of our prayers, so let’s pray for all those married 20+ years!

 The fervent prayer of a righteous person is very powerful. James 5:16

Lord, we ask for an outpouring of grace upon “established” marriages. Help them survive the ups and downs of the college years, the transition to empty nest, the loneliness of disconnection, and the persistent togetherness of retirement. Bathe them in your love, and bind them tighter than ever before. Give the the hope they need to persist and flourish. Jesus we trust in You!

May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to think in harmony with one another, in keeping with Christ Jesus. Romans 15:5

Peace, Joy, and Love,

Janet

Encourage intercessory prayer. Pass it on! 

Pray for Families (Chosen and Appointed)

Greetings Prayer Warriors,

Most people, even the most successful, are racked with insecurities. They focus on everything they aren’t. Perhaps we would all be better served if we focused on the fact that we are “chosen”.

It was not you who chose me, but I who chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit that will remain, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name he may give you. John 15:16

We were willed into existence. God intentionally made us! 

You formed my inmost being; you knit me in my mother’s womb. I praise you, because I am wonderfully made; wonderful are your works! 

Psalm 139:13-14

Embrace your belovedness. Life is too short to focus on one’s shortcomings. Those are actually gifts that will lead you to humble perfection. Give yourself some grace. So when you or a family member are experiencing self-doubt, self-loathing, or any type of downward spiral,, remind them that they are chosen. They were made for a day such as this.  In Him, they can find their purpose and identity as a beloved child of God.

So be imitators of God, as beloved children, and live in love, as Christ loved us and handed himself over for us as a sacrificial offering to God for a fragrant aroma. Ephesians 5:1-2

And  pray for one another, especially your family, as Christ prayed for us!

“I pray not only for them, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, so that they may all be one, as you, Father, are in me and I in you, that they also may be in us, that the world may believe that you sent me. John 17:20-21

Peace, Joy, and Love,

Janet

Spread the love! Pass it on! 

Pray for Marriages (A Lifetime of Faith)

Greetings Prayer Warriors,

Saying “yes” to a lifetime with someone takes courage, and a lot of faith.  

The differentiating factor of success is whether you are putting your faith not just in your beloved but also “The Beloved”. For only God can seal and protect your marriage. Thus, you are at an early advantage, if you invite God not just to the wedding, but also into your marriage.

“Have faith in God.” Mark 11:22

During marriage, you will have numerous opportunities to lose faith in your spouse, especially when they don’t live up to YOUR expectations (often unrealistic). But never lose faith in God, as he is the bridge in times of divide. He will be your comfort when you can't find peace. He will still love you, when you feel unlovable. He can heal all that is broken. So hold fast to your faith.

We have gained access [by faith] to this grace in which we stand, and we boast in hope of the glory of God. Romans 5:2.

Trust in the Lord and do not flee from the crosses he grants you during your marriage. For such “gifts” can be an invitation to intimacy with Him. He always accompanies you, so that you never walk alone.  When you are weak, He is strong. 

Trust in the LORD with all your heart, on your own intelligence do not rely. Proverbs 3:5

In spending time with the Lord, you will become more like Him, the best version of yourself. What better way to strengthen a marriage?

Living the truth in love, we should grow in every way into him who is the head, Christ. Be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and put on the new self, created in God’s way in righteousness and holiness of truth. 

Ephesians 14:15, 23-24

May we continue to praise God for all the times he has supported, healed, steadied, awakened, renewed, blessed, or resurrected a marriage. Keep praying, and keep the faith, and lead others to faith!

Peace, Joy, and Love,

Janet

Pray for a lifetime of faith-filled love! Pass it on!