Pray for Families (Worry-free, peace-filled)

Greetings Prayer Warriors,

How much time do you spend worrying?  Do you worry about family, friends, finances, and the future?  Will our kids be safe when out with their friends? Will our children be able to afford college?   Can we afford the repairs on the car?  Will we ever be able to retire?  Should I correct a wayward friend/family member? How can I manage to take care of my parents and my kids?  The list goes on.  But what have you gained from all that worry?

Can any of you by worrying add a moment to your lifespan? If even the smallest things are beyond your control, why are you anxious about the rest? Luke 12:25-26

Do not worry about tomorrow; tomorrow will take care of itself. Sufficient for a day is its own evil. Matthew 6:34

Be strong and steadfast; have no fear or dread of them, for it is the LORD, your God, who marches with you; he will never fail you or forsake you. Deuteronomy 31:6

Do not be afraid. Go on speaking, and do not be silent, for I am with you. Acts 18:9

Worry time does not give us peace, but prayer time does.  When you find yourself sinking into worry, raise up your voice in prayer.  Prayer will increase your trust in God and His promises.

Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God. Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7

Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid. John 14:27

Peace begins within the heart of each of us when we let God in and allow Him to rule over our lives.  From there, great love will grow.  Let us pray for each other and all the world, that all will come to seek and know His peace.

Peace, Joy, and Love,

Janet

Pass along the path to peace…prayer.  Share it with everyone!

Pray for Marriages (Conquering the Evil One)

Greetings Prayer Warriors,

We know marriage is something very special, because God instituted marriage in the beginning of humanity as a way to show Adam and Eve His love for them.  After receiving this gift, they were in turn asked to share it with each other.  Both unitive and procreative, marriage brought forth children. The family then became the classroom to learn about God and love.

Is it any surprise then that marriage was the very first thing that Satan attacked?  Should we be at all surprised that marriage continues to be under attack?  You only have to open your eyes to see a marriage, perhaps even your own, struggling or crumbling.   Is it a lack of love, or perhaps a lack of faith? Even Adam and Eve didn’t believe the promises of God and thus easily followed the advice of the Evil One.  Their sin brought discord into their lives. Today’s culture is still under the influence of the Evil One, as our sin opens the door for him to enter our lives.  Influenced by him, couples divorce with hopes of more control, more love, and more happiness.

But evils surround me until they cannot be counted. My sins overtake me, so that I can no longer see. They are more numerous than the hairs of my head; my courage fails me. LORD, graciously rescue me!  Come quickly to help me, LORD!  Psalm 40:13-14

My friends, my dear prayer angels, continue to fight this battle through prayer for one another, and all marriages.  The Lord awaits us all with His mercy and love.  Pray that the gift of unshakable faith be poured into hearts, providing for all the will to persevere through the storms of life.  Pray that good marriages stay strong, so they remain beacons of hope for the weary.

Send out your breath and life begins; you renew the face of the earth.  Psalm 104:30

For whoever is begotten by God conquers the world. And the victory that conquers the world is our faith.  1 John 5:4

Peace, Joy, and Love,

Janet

We are not alone! Gather others in prayer and build an army of Love!  Pass it on!  

Pray for Families (Understanding the Family Tree)

Greetings Prayer Warriors,

God’s divine plan is so much more expansive than our minds can fathom. Day to day, His plan usually doesn’t seem to make much sense to us but then suddenly, we get a glimpse. 

We’ve all heard of the term, family tree.  I was pondering the term in light of God’s great design for the continuation and development of humanity, when the symbolism suddenly struck me.

God knew marriage and family would be important building blocks of society and that they would need a strong foundation, Love. So Love Himself became the roots of the tree, holding up the trunk, (the marriage bond). Strong faith allows the roots to grow deeply, securing the tree. In time, branches (children) may begin to grow, bringing beauty to the tree. When fed (by the sacraments) and tended to patiently (prayers) the tree flourishes and bears good fruit, (virtues). If the tree is not firmly rooted, the tree or some of its branches may die (lose faith) and need to be pruned. If the winds of change (our current culture) continue to blow upon the tree and it is not securely rooted (lack of faith) it can easily topple.

So, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, walk in him, rooted in him and built upon him and established in the faith as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving. See to it that no one captivate you with an empty, seductive philosophy according to human tradition, according to the elemental powers of the world and not according to Christ. Colossians 2:6-8

Looking at the current breakdown of families, we are seeing an increase in deforestation!  Please continue to pray for families, that each individual be given the gift of faith, the humility to be pruned, and the enduring hope that with love, even a seemingly bare tree will blossom. 

Peace, Joy, and Love,

Janet

See a tree?  For each one your see, say a prayer for a family!  Pass it on!  

Pray for Marriages (Divine Transformation)

Greetings Prayer Warriors,

Do you ever wonder why God reincarnated the Word in human form as Jesus Christ? Sometimes I entertain myself thinking about how God must have made the decision that we needed a Savior. “Whoa! They sure are mucking things up down there! I better send them an instruction manual in HUMAN FORM! Most of them don’t even know how to read, so a teacher they will get! They will know He is there to teach them, because everyone knows that all teachers take a vow of poverty!" ;-)

All joking aside, what must the Magi have experienced when they first encountered the baby Jesus?  Seeing Jesus in his humanity informed their minds.  Pride must have given way to humility as they witnessed His humble surroundings.  When they beheld the Christ child so pure and radiant, their hearts must have been transformed and His divinity adored.

And the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us, and we saw his glory, the glory as of the Father’s only Son, full of grace and truth. 

John 1:14

Thus in marriage, for a transformation to take place, you need to place yourself in the presence of Jesus.  Be quiet, be still, and speak to Him. You are the gift He asks for.  Give yourself to Him and you too will be transformed.  You too will experience the Divine.   By opening your heart and mind to Him, the river of grace will flow. Thus the transformation of your heart and mind begins.

Do not conform yourselves to this age but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and pleasing and perfect. Romans 12:2

Lord, may each couple and each spouse start this year with a small step; a gift of self that brings their heart closer to You.  Inform their minds and transform their hearts so that their love for each other may grow into divine love.  May this love inspire other couples to also invite You in through prayer.   Jesus, you are our eternal hope.  Save us! Amen.

Peace, Joy, and Love,

Janet

Bound by chains of unhappiness? Be informed and transformed.  The Truth will set you free!  Pass it on!! 

Pray for Families (Resolutions for the Lord)

The LORD bless you and keep you! The LORD let his face shine upon you, and be gracious to you! The LORD look upon you kindly and give you peace! Numbers 6:24-26

Happy New Year Prayer Warriors!

Do you have a New Year’s resolution? I usually don’t have one (fear of failing!), but this year will be different. My resolution is to encourage more people to pray.   Would you help me?

This blog is really just a reminder service in disguise.  Even if you never open the semi-weekly emails after reading the subject line, at least take a few seconds to pray!  If it’s a Monday, pray for marriages; if it’s a Friday pray for families.  If you do open the email but are limited on time, at least read the scripture.  I’ve even highlighted it in blue italics for you!  Let the Living Word speak to you!  Then if you have time, read the rest of my blog, but that part is the least important! 

What is the Lord calling you to do for Him this year?   Perhaps it is a personal resolution or perhaps He is calling your family to come up with a group resolution.  Take today to pray for your family, that each may know where the Lord is calling them.  Maybe your calling will be to pray as a family!!  Regardless of the direction the Lord leads you, pray that you will be steadfast in your resolution(s)!

Therefore, my beloved brothers, be firm, steadfast, always fully devoted to the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain. 1 Corinthians 15:58
May the Lord bless all of you immeasurably, and may he give you the grace to follow His lead and walk with Him!

Peace, Joy, and Love,
Janet 

Let peace reign in your heart. Pray more and spread the peace! Pass it on!!!