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! 

Pray for Families (Forever United)

 Greetings Prayer Warriors.

Forever united, a loving bond so true,

Always there for each other, lifting each other up too.

Moments we cherish, and heartfelt prayers that we share,

In every moment of our lives, always show that we care.

LOVE is the foundation, the Rock of true blessing,

Year over year, our faith is progressing!

I ask that supplications, prayers, petitions, and thanksgivings be offered for everyone. 1 Timothy 2:1

Keep on praying for and with one another, including other families as well. 

Peace, Love, and Joy, 

Janet

Pray for a family member and pass it on! 

Pray for Marriage and Family (Dependence and Independence)

 Greetings Prayer Warriors,

Independence Day came and went, but do know I continue to pray for you all! I hope you were spending treasured time making memories with family and friends. 

Because of the holiday, I kept contemplating independence, freedom, and dependence. In marriage, we depend on one another. In families, we depend on each member to do their part.  Knowing you can depend on one another is what allows for some independence. Then I read this: 

“The Creator has endowed men with rights and liberties; men got them from God! In other words, we are dependent on God, and that initial dependence is the foundation of our independence.” -Bishop Fulton J. Sheen.

Hierarchically, if we are first dependent on God, and then one another, don’t we experience the greatest of freedoms?

Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 2 Corinthians 3:17

God granted us free will.  With freedom comes a responsibility to do not what you feel like, but what you ought to do. 

 Be free, yet without using freedom as a pretext for evil, but as slaves of God.  Peter 2:16

For freedom Christ set us free; so stand firm and do not submit again to the yoke of slavery.  Galatians 5:1  … for a person is a slave of whatever overcomes him. 2 Peter 2:19

Prayer is a powerful weapon against temptations and all forms of evil. Whether you pray the rosary or another form of prayer, remember that while no one lives a life without temptation, temptation can be dissipated and conquered through prayer, which brings us closer to God. That is the power of freedom in Christ! 

May your prayers unite you with the Father and build a fortress of protection around your marriage and your family. The family that prays together stays together!!

Peace, Joy, and Love,

Janet

Pray and play! Pass it on! 

Pray for Marriages (Prayers and Promises)

Greetings Prayer Warriors,

Many are at least loosely familiar with the story of Sodom and Gomorrah. Yet, far fewer are familiar with Abraham’s negotiations with the Lord to save the innocent, which highlight how compassionate Abraham was and how incredibly just God is.   

 “Will you really sweep away the righteous with the wicked? Genesis 18:23

Abraham petitioned the Lord, showing incredible faith. 

Suppose there were fifty righteous people in the city; would you really sweep away and not spare the place for the sake of the fifty righteous people within it? Far be it from you to do such a thing, to kill the righteous with the wicked, so that the righteous and the wicked are treated alike! Far be it from you! Should not the judge of all the world do what is just?” The LORD replied: If I find fifty righteous people in the city of Sodom, I will spare the whole place for their sake. Genesis 18:24-26

Abraham negotiates downwards, all the way down to 10 people! 

Abram* put his faith in the LORD, who attributed it to him as an act of righteousness. Genesis 15:6

What does any of this have to do with marriage, you are thinking? Consider the power of the prayers of the righteous! Abraham's petitions were heard and the Lord consented! So when you pray for your spouse or your marriage, the Lord hears you and is working in your relationship. Not all the Lord does is immediate, let alone seen by us as He is looking at the long game, but do remain hopeful and confident.

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

So whatever your situation, or the one you are praying for, have faith, and if you don’t, pray for that gift!

Sanctify one another in prayer, and continue to petition the Lord on behalf of marriages.

Peace, Joy, and Love,

Janet

Let your petitions be heard and pass it on! 

*Genesis 17:5