Pray for Marriages (Knowing the Lover)

Greetings Prayer Warriors, 

Everyone has an inherent desire to be loved; to be adored and appreciated for who they are. Many search for the perfect girlfriend or boyfriend, then the perfect spouse. When that doesn’t work out, they try again.  And perhaps again.  Yet even when married, it is rare that a spouse continually feels loved, adored, and appreciated.  They only wish they would hear each morning, 

“Arise, my friend, my beautiful one, and come!  Song of Songs 2:10

If one expects their spouse to fill every desire for love and affirmation, they will be frequently disappointed. Yet, one often ignores the One who always beckons, always affirms, and always loves. Our Lord desires to be the Love of your life, the Keeper of your heart, the Comforter of your sorrows. He loves you unconditionally. Nothing you do will make Him love you any more or any less. 

As you stumble on the rocky road of life, and realize that you don’t even live up to the high bar you have set for your spouse, the Lord softly whispers:

My dove in the clefts of the rock, in the secret recesses of the cliff, let me see your face, let me hear your voice, for your voice is sweet, and your face is lovely.”  Song of Songs 2:14

As we celebrate love this week, let us not forget to love He who is love. Let us pray that all marriages be fortified by His love, be humbled by his gentleness, and that we be quick to answer His call to love more, especially our spouse.  

As we draw closer to Him, let us pray a reparation prayer for others as taught by the angel of Fatima, as others have prayed this prayer for us:

“MY GOD, I believe, I adore, I trust, and I love Thee! I ask pardon for those who do not believe, do not adore, do not trust and do not love Thee.”

Now fortified, go and love your spouse MORE!

Peace, Joy, and Love,

Janet

Believe, adore, trust, and love more! Pass it on!  

Pray for Families (The Gift of a Cross)

Greetings Prayer Warriors,

One thing that is undebatable is that everyone has a cross. Sometimes it is hard to see another’s cross, as their pain is buried deep within and they clothe themselves with a smile. Others bear a heavy cross visible for all to witness. Some have accepted their crosses with resignation while others pray for their cross to be lightened or lifted. We are not expected to carry it alone, for Christ walks with us.

Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for yourselves.For my yoke is easy, and my burden light.” Mark 11:28-30

We should ponder that fact that our crosses are gifted to us with love, as Christ sanctifies us through them. Often these are “gifts” we want to return, especially when they present themselves as joblessness, widowhood, a family member’s addiction, health problems, wayward children or spouses, etc. Let us pray for one another’s patient endurance, joyful hope, and faith-filled courage so that each may continue the journey the Lord has mapped for them.

Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,through whom we have gained access [by faith] to this grace in which we stand, and we boast in hope of the glory of God. Not only that, but we even boast of our afflictions, knowing that affliction produces endurance,and endurance, proven character, and proven character, hope,and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out into our hearts through the holy Spirit that has been given to us. Romans 5:1-5

You are never alone. Even our prayer accompanies you!

Peace, Joy, and Love,
Janet

Prayer beckons heavenly assistance. Call down the army of helpers! Pass it on! 

Pray for Marriages (Saving Faith)

Greetings Prayer Warriors,

The wisdom of age is powerful. I was speaking to a 90-year old relative, married for over 47 years and widowed.  I know her marriage was not easy, and certainly a roller coaster of ups and downs, joys and sorrows, much like most marriages. Yet, she held fast to her faith and continued the journey and experienced the joys that come from endurance, perseverance, and loving when she didn’t feel like loving. She reflected on those years saying, “Now I realize that all the little things I worried and fretted about in life and in marriage were so unimportant in the big picture.” Certainly, words to contemplate and live by!

Whoever wishes to come after me, must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me, says the Lord.  Matthew 16:24

Holy Family, pray for us!  How arduous the journey can be!  Like a game of Chutes and Ladders, the climb up may seem long, and how easy it is to slide back down! In your loving kindness, grant us the grace we each need for the journey. May we praise you for the highs, and praise you for the lows, for your plan for each one of us is always perfect, regardless of how we perceive it. Make us holy! Thank you for walking by our side and showing us the way, the wayto you!

“Your faith has saved you; go in peace.” Luke 7:50

Peace, Joy, and Love, 

Janet

Plant a seed of faith by passing it on!  

Pray for Families (Heal the Body, Heal the World)

Greetings Prayer Warriors, 

Fractures can so easily appear in family relationships, often to our surprise or without any realization until the fracture becomes a crack. 

As a body is one though it has many parts, and all the parts of the body, though many, are one body, so also Christ. For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, slaves or free persons, and we were all given to drink of one Spirit. Now the body is not a single part, but many. 

1 Corinthians 12:12-14

We all are ONE. Do we remain cognizant of that in our speech and behavior? Are we acting as ONE?  Or do we fall into self-righteous pride? Consider, do you treat a brother or sister, friend or foe with the same kindness as you do the rest of the body? Do you nurture the “unhealthy” parts of the body so that they may gain “strength” with your loving support? Do you encourage the healthy to remain so? Do you put in the effort to remain healthy in mind, body, and spirit, knowing that your “sickness” can spread to the other parts?

Indeed, the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are all the more necessary and those parts of the body that we consider less honorable we surround with greater honor, and our less presentable parts are treated with greater propriety, whereas our more presentable parts do not need this. But God has so constructed the body as to give greater honor to a part that is without it, so that there may be no division in the body, but that the parts may have the same concern for one another.If [one] part suffers, all the parts suffer with it; if one part is honored, all the parts share its joy. Now you are Christ’s body, and individually parts of it. 1 Corinthians 12:22-27

No division? What a call to action! Love is an action for what is love without action? Love strengthens the body. Pray and ask the Lord, “To whom am I called to support in humility, loving kindness, encouragement, and praise?” Let us listen to the Lord so that the healing may begin as each one of us springs into action!!

For the LORD gives wisdom, from his mouth come knowledge and understanding. For wisdom will enter your heart, knowledge will be at home in your soul. Proverbs 2: 6, 10

Peace, Joy, and Love,

Janet

Heal the body, heal the world.  Pass it on!

Pray for Marriages (Help for the Disconnected)

Greetings Prayer Warriors,

If a house is divided against itself, that house will not be able to stand. 

Mark 3:25

In an era where “diversity” is the mantra, too much diversity in a marriage can be a precursor to its death. A balance of strengths and weaknesses is wonderful, but when perspectives on culture, religion, financial philosophy, and the raising of children diverge, houses can be divided and spouses disconnected, regardless of how much one proclaims their love.

Many optimistically, innocently, and naively entered into such unions. Let us pray for those struggling to preserve their marriages, in spite of such difficulties.

Lord, we are fearfully and wonderfully made, each a unique masterpiece of your creation made to bring a special beauty into the world. Unfortunately, sometimes your masterpieces don’t complement each other. Yet, with your grace, you can be the bridge or even the grout that unites, strengthens, and fortifies. Lord, I ask that your grace be abundant in each marriage that struggles, yet strives to be united. In your love, you honor those who keep their faith in you. Don’t delay in your heavenly assistance, for the need is great. Jesus, we will forever trust in you!

If there is any encouragement in Christ, any solace in love, any participation in the Spirit, any compassion and mercy,complete my joy by being of the same mind, with the same love, united in heart, thinking one thing. Philippians 2:1-2

Peace Joy and Love,
Janet

Solace, compassion, and mercy are in the Lord! Pass it on!

Pray for Families (Before the Pot Boils)

Greetings Prayer Warriors, 

The beloved radio and television personality, Bishop Fulton Sheen, seemed to have a prophetic voice when in 1974 he boldly stated on television, “We are at the end of Christendom.” He wasn’t referring to Christianity in and of itself. Rather, he explained it as such, “Christendom is economic, political, social life as inspired by Christian principles. That is ending — we’ve seen it die. Look at the symptoms: the breakup of the family, divorce, abortion, immorality, general dishonesty.”

How much further society has slid in the last 46 years!  We are like frogs in a pot of water, not noticing that the temperature is slowly rising!

Is it any wonder why families are experiencing more stress, heartache, and loss as they witness each other’s wayward lives and feel helpless?  When the head of household throws away the Divine Compass, everyone gets lost!  We then wander aimlessly and follow the crowd, unaware of the dangerous path they are walking.

“In [the] last time there will be scoffers who will live according to their own godless desires.” These are the ones who cause divisions; they live on the natural plane, devoid of the Spirit. But you, beloved, build yourselves up in your most holy faith; pray in the holy Spirit. Keep yourselves in the love of God and wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life. On those who waver, have mercy.  Jude 1:18-22

Interestingly, Bishop Sheen’s also prophetically describes the anti-Christ. “…his religion will be brotherhood without the fatherhood of God, he will deceive even the elect.” 

Do we not see that the culture is moving toward the brotherhood of tolerance and acceptance of all and anything? No longer are we uniting, “One nation under God”, trusting in the leadership and guidance of the (Heavenly) Father.

Jesus answered, “You know neither me nor my Father. If you knew me, you would know my Father also.” John 8:19

We know how the story ends, so let’s first self-accuse, amend our lives, and remain steadfast in our faith.

Do not fear the reproach of others; remain firm at their revilings. They shall be like a garment eaten by moths, like wool consumed by grubs; But my victory shall remain forever, my salvation, for all generations. Isaiah 51:7-8

Spend the next week praying the “Our Father” for your entire family, praying that all come to know the fatherhood of God, first by my getting to know His Son.  And for those who need a smaller step, ask the gentle Blessed Mother to introduce you to her Son. 

Peace, Joy, and Love,

Janet

Help someone before the pot boils!  Pass it on!

Pray for Marriages (Resisting the Cultural Waves)

Greetings Prayer Warriors, 

Have you ever met anyone who stated that marriage was easy? Neither have I. Yet from the beginning, Christ willed that man and women come together, live a life ordered to the good of each other, make a lifetime matrimonial covenant before him, and procreate. So important was the institution of marriage that God willed that his Son come into the world via a family. God never promised Mary and Joseph their lives would be easy, but He did promise His abundant grace.

Today’s culture completely promotes the dissolubility of marriage. After over a half century of a rising divorce rate, we have seen not only the breakdown of the family, but the entire societal culture.  As a result, there’s a crumbling of morality, a rising hate of Christian principles, and a quest for money and power, rather than a desire for holiness and godliness. 

The catechism states:

“This unequivocal insistence on the indissolubility of the marriage bond may have left some perplexed and could seem to be a demand impossible to realize. However, Jesus has not placed on spouses a burden impossible to bear, or too heavy - heavier than the Law of Moses.”  CCC 1615

The Pharisees approached and asked, “Is it lawful for a husband to divorce his wife?” They were testing him. He said to them in reply, “What did Moses command you? They replied, “Moses permitted him to write a bill of divorce and dismiss her.” But Jesus told them, “Because of the hardness of your hearts he wrote you this commandment. But from the beginning of creation, ‘God made them male and female. For this reason, a man shall leave his father and mother [and be joined to his wife], and the two shall become one flesh.’ So, they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore, what God has joined together, no human being must separate.”  Mark 10:2-9

“By coming to restore the original order of creation disturbed by sin, he himself gives the strength and grace to live marriage in the new dimension of the Reign of God. It is by following Christ, renouncing themselves, and taking up their crosses that spouses will be able to "receive" the original meaning of marriage and live it with the help of Christ.” CCC 1615

“Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me.  Mark 8:34

Lord, grant all married couples a renewal in faith, a greater commitment to love, and the peace to know you will never leave their side. Give them the courage to completely trust in you and resist the enticement of a culture that promises freedom, by cutting their tether to you. Lord, hear our collective prayers and  be their strength! Amen.

Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for yourselves. For my yoke is easy, and my burden light.”  Matthew 11:29-30

Peace, Joy, and Love,

Janet

Someone you know is experiencing a marital tsunami. Pray for them, let them know we are too,  and pass it on!