Pray for Marriages (High Wattage Prayer)

Greetings Prayer Warriors,

Some marriages are good most of the time and some marriages are bad most of the time, while others endure a constant roller coaster. Yet no marriage is spared at least some time in the depth of darkness.  It is a frightening place, especially when you don’t know when or if you will see the light again. 

The people who sit in darkness have seen a great light, on those dwelling in a land overshadowed by death light has arisen.  Matthew 4:16

Think about the marriage that is most often on your heart. It could be yours or someone else’s.  Intentionally pray for that marriage all week long. Pray more earnestly. Any hardships you endure during the week, whether big or small, offer them to the Lord on their behalf.  Your prayers of action and word do make a difference!

Lord, bring your light to the marriages that dwell in the deepest darkness, and with your transcendent love, transfigure them into beacons of light for others.

Peace, Joy, and Love,

Janet

Turn up the wattage of your prayer so that the Lord will shine more brightly!  Pass it on!  

Pray for Families (Goodness not Perfection!)

Greetings Prayer Warriors,

Today I heard, “Don’t look for perfection in people, rather look for goodness.” Ahhhhh! Exhale; for there are millions of good people in this world and not one perfect one. Goodness is easy to find, since we were made for good by the Ultimate Good. 

How might this world be different if we looked for the good in everyone, complimented the good, and sought to be good? 

Start within your family and celebrate the good in each family member. Let your newfound joy abound. Good begets good!  Acknowledging this good produces more! Then, inviting the Ultimate Good into our lives changes everything!

For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by men and hating one another; but when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of deeds done by us in righteousness, but in virtue of his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal in the Holy Spirit.  Titus 3:3-5

Lord, bless our families. Hear and receive our prayers of thanksgiving for the good in each family member. Increase the good in us so that all who come it contact with it will be forever changed, for You are the good in us!

Peace, Joy, and Love,

Janet

Goodness and kindness and are special virtues. Pass them on! 

Pray for Marriages (Love and Life)

Greetings Prayer Warriors,

This month marks the 50^th Anniversary of Humanae Vitae, an encyclical written by Pope Paul VI in 1968 on God’s plan for married love and the transmission of human life. It was very controversial at the time (and still is), because at the height of the sexual revolution of the 60’s, it condemned birth control.  Looking back however, it was quite prophetic. Think about what has occurred in society over the last 50 years: infidelity, divorce, pornography, casual sex, cohabitation, the sexualization of children, etc.  Consider reading the entire document, and prayerfully contemplating it’s message.

Section 17, Consequences of Artificial Methods

  Responsible men can become more deeply convinced of the truth of the doctrine laid down by the Church on this issue if they reflect on the consequences of methods and plans for artificial birth control. Let them first consider how easily this course of action could open wide the way for marital infidelity and a general lowering of moral standards. Not much experience is needed to be fully aware of human weakness and to understand that human beings—and especially the young, who are so exposed to temptation—need incentives to keep the moral law, and it is an evil thing to make it easy for them to break that law. Another effect that gives cause for alarm is that a man who grows accustomed to the use of contraceptive methods may forget the reverence due to a woman, and, disregarding her physical and emotional equilibrium, reduce her to being a mere instrument for the satisfaction of his own desires, no longer considering her as his partner whom he should surround with care and affection. 

Who would have ever dreamed of any government’s interest in other’s sexuality and even their “funding” the prevention of conception/birth?

Finally, careful consideration should be given to the danger of this power passing into the hands of those public authorities who care little for the precepts of the moral law. Who will blame a government which in its attempt to resolve the problems affecting an entire country resorts to the same measures as are regarded as lawful by married people in the solution of a particular family difficulty? Who will prevent public authorities from favoring those contraceptive methods which they consider more effective? Should they regard this as necessary, they may even impose their use on everyone.

The only conversation here is a personal one with yourself and God.  How might you move toward a more intimate, respectful marriage?

Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ loved the church and handed himself over for her to sanctify her, cleansing her by the bath of water with the word. Husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. Ephesians 5:25-26, 28

Pray for each other as you make a daily commitment to live your marriage vows as God intended. Rejoice in the fact that our God is rich in mercy and love!

Peace, Joy, and Love,

Janet

Challenge yourself. Read, pray, then pass it on! 

Pray for Families (Children Young and Old)

Greetings Prayer Warriors,

Family is a training ground to understand the love of the Son for the Father and the Father for the Son. Their love is perfect and sacrificial, always grounded in love. Perhaps this scripture will speak to you, and provide guidance on what love looks like. We are all children of God, and we were born of an earthly mother and father that we might prepare ourselves for our heavenly Father and Mother.

Children, listen to me, your father; act accordingly, that you may be safe.

For the Lord sets a father in honor over his children

And confirms a mother’s authority over her sons.

Those who honor their father atone for sins;

They store up riches who respect their mother.

Those who honor their father will have joy in their own children,

And when they pray they are heard.

Those who respect their father will live a long life;

Those who obey the Lord honor their mother.

Those who fear the Lord honor their father,

And serve their parents as masters.

In word and deed honor your father,

That all blessings may come to you.

Are excuses popping into your head?  Continue reading.

A father’s blessing gives a person firm roots,

But a mother’s curse uproots the growing plant.

Do not glory in your father’s disgrace,

For that is no glory to you!

A father’s glory is glory also for oneself;

They multiply sin who demean their mother.

My son, be steadfast in honoring your father;

Do not grieve him as long as he lives.

Even if his mind fails, be considerate of him;

Do not revile him because you are in your prime.

Kindness to a father will not be forgotten;

It will serve as a sin offering—it will take lasting root.

In time of trouble it will be recalled to your advantage,

Like warmth upon frost it will melt away your sins.

Those who neglect their father are like blasphemers;

Those who provoke their mother are accursed by their Creator.

Sirach 3:1-16

Pray for guidance and strength to live out your earthly role as a child. Then pray for your siblings, parents, and/or children. May the fruit of your prayer be abundant!

Peace, Love, and Joy,

Janet

As you are called to do so, pass it on!