Pray for Families (Spiritual Sickness)

Greetings Prayer Warriors,

 

When one is physically ill, it is often observable, and we feel sorry for the person with the wheelchair, copious bandages, or swollen appendages. When an ailment is more hidden, such as most cancers, spinal pain, or autoimmune diseases, we tend to have less empathy, at least at first sight.  Sin is similar in that we pity the obvious sinner, yet are oblivious to the more deadly evils that often lay hidden within one’s soul. While praying for the physically ill is very good, we can never neglect to fervently pray for the silent majority - the spiritually ill.

 

Sin is a transgression of the law of God in thought, word, deed, or omission. Sin unatoned for, kills the eternal soul.  If only we were as mindful of our soul as we are of our body! For vanity drives us to take care of our bodies, but it’s humility that propels us to take care of our souls!  Perhaps it’s time to stop and take a good look in the spiritual mirror.

 

If we say, “We are without sin,” we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we acknowledge our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive our sins and cleanse us from every wrongdoing. 1 John 1:8-9

 

The Blessed Mother gave the world a wake-up call a little over 100 years ago as to sin’s destructive path.  She appeared to 3 shepherd children in Fatima, Portugal under the title, “Our Lady of Fatima”. She pleaded, “Pray, pray much, and sacrifice for sinners, for many souls go to hell because there is no one to sacrifice and pray for them.”

 

She guided them further saying, “When you make a sacrifice pray, ‘O Jesus, this is for love of Thee, for the conversion of sinners, and in reparation for the sins committed against the Immaculate Heart of Mary.'” 

 

The little girl, Lucia inquired, “I have many things to ask you: if you would cure some sick persons, and if you would convert some sinners…”.  Our Lady responded, “Some yes, others no. They must amend their lives and ask forgiveness for their sins.”  With sadness, she continued, “Let them offend Our Lord no more for He is already much offended.”

 

Interesting to note that in her answer, the physical cure was the same as the spiritual cure. 

 

Our Blessed Mother’s ultimate message regarding sin was “PRAY!”, especially, “Pray the rosary every day”. If you are reading this, you are most likely already a prayer warrior, but even warriors need reminders. Pray, fast, and sacrifice in reparation for the sins of your family. Get your “own house” in order first, because as you know, 

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

 

Peace, Joy, and Love,

Janet

Prayer for another is an act of love, so love more! Pass it on!

Pray for Marriages (Patience as Prayer)

Greetings Prayer Warriors, 

 

Reflect on your day and contemplate all the time that was stolen or wasted on the mundane.  What if half that time, a quarter of that time, or even 10% of that time was spent in prayer?  It would make a difference!  

 

Bored in a shopping line, carpool line, or medical waiting room?  Pray! Want to grumble regarding all the reasons for the delay? Practice patience, share a smile, and offer it as a sacrifice to God. Now that’s prayer in action AND the practice of virtue!  

 

Better is a patient spirit than a lofty one. Do not let anger upset your spirit, for anger lodges in the bosom of a fool. Ecclesiastes 7:8-9

 

This week, take advantage of all the opportunities during the day where you want to grumble at someone or something and instead turn it into a positive by practicing patience as a prayer of petition for marriages.

 

This practice just might change you and those around you. Let us praise He who perfects us!

 

Peace, Joy, and Love,

Janet

 

Practice patience as prayer! Pass it on!  

Pray for Families (Holding on to the Truth)

Greetings Prayer Warriors,

 

A war is being waged against truth, because so many in this world have pushed aside He who is Truth. When people reject the Lord and His teachings, Satan rises up in power. The Evil One considers himself a major “influencer” as he uses the media as his puppet to gain followers.

 

Think of the lies the media spews daily, such as:

• There are more than 2 genders
• Men can give birth 
• Abortion is “healthcare”
• The U.S. is a horrible country
• Socialism is great
• Those who don’t follow the mainstream narrative should be silenced or imprisoned

 This list can go on and on, but the question is, how do you decipher truth? Sometimes lies are much more comfortable to face than the truth. Can we recognize truth vs lie?  Will a diet of lies cloud our judgement? How will we know?

 

“If you continue in My word, you are truly My disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” John 8:31-32

 

Truth = Freedom.  Freedom is not doing any thing you want.  Freedom is the ability to do what you ought.

 

Jesus said to him, “I am the way and the truth and the life.  John 4:6

 

Christ will lead us to all truth.  Do you have the courage to follow Him?

 

Test everything; retain what is good. Refrain from every kind of evil. 1 Thessalonians 5 21-22

 

Let us pray for all families whose God-given rights and freedoms are under various forms of attack. Freedom of choice, freedom over their bodies, freedom over what is taught their children, freedom to speak the truth without reprisal, freedom of religion, and so on. Prayer is our greatest weapon.  Satan fears its power, especially the praying of the rosary. Thus, draw your weapon daily and enter into battle!

 

Peace, Joy, and Love,

Janet

 

We need more soldiers. Pass it on! 

Pray for Marriages (The Tipping Point)

Greetings Prayer Warriors,

 

Anyone who is married realizes that the marriage partnership isn’t always 50-50. It’s more like a pendulum where the weight can frequently shift.   Other times it’s more like an unevenly balanced seesaw where one side has a preponderance of the weight and the joy has departed. It is in moments such as these that marriages are the most challenged. 

 

When one makes it through trying times, it is because someone has prayed for them. WE are that someone. Our prayers are efficacious and fruitful, yet most of the time we have no idea how and the Lord chooses to use them.  We may be saddened when we don’t see results from the prayers we’ve prayed for specific persons, but don’t for a minute think that the Lord hasn’t bestowed grace on them. “Results” are in God’s timing, for he gently tends to the garden of each soul, nourishing it and bringing it back into balance.

 

Please pray and trust in the Lord’s wisdom. Pray for those you don’t know as well as those you do. There are married couples right now in desperate need of prayer, at a critical tipping point, yet have no one to pray for them.  Will it be you?  I hope so!  Know that one day they may be the very ones praying for you. 

 

Therefore, …  we do not cease praying for you and asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding to live in a manner worthy of the Lord, so as to be fully pleasing, in every good work bearing fruit and growing in the knowledge of God.  Colossians 1:9-10

 

Peace, Joy, and Love,

Janet

 

Prayer revitalizes souls. Pass it on! 

Pray for Families (Shifting to Gratitude)

Greetings Prayer Warriors, 

 

Sometimes I can get so caught up with the concerns and worries of life and the multitude of things to complain about that I forget to pause and focus on all the things I should be showing gratitude for.  Does this happen to you?

 

Think of all your friends and family members whose small kindnesses you take for granted. Think of the person who is very direct with you (or has no filter), but whose words have made you change for the better. Think of the coworker who always smiles at you or give you a word of encouragement or reassuring glance. What about parents, aunts, uncles, cousins, or children who elevate your life in so many ways?  There is no time like the present to focus on showing them gratitude! 

 

Therefore, encourage one another and build one another up, as indeed you do. I Thessalonians 5:11 

 

Most of all, we need to give praise and glory to Him who blessed us daily. The Lord our Savior who is our rock, our comfort, our shield and our healer. He is our peace, our joy, and our Love. There are endless words to praise Him with, so let’s never stop showing gratitude to Him. And while you are praying prayers of thanksgiving, don’t forget to thank Him for your family, whom he chose specifically for you.  And while you ponder that, thank Him for His sense of humor too!

 

Therefore, we who are receiving the unshakable kingdom should have gratitude, with which we should offer worship pleasing to God in reverence and awe. Hebrews 12:28

 

Peace, Joy, and Love,

Janet

 

Fill your heart with gratitude and then share it by passing this on! 

Pray for Families (The Importance of Play)

Greetings Prayer Warriors, 

 

If you care for the health of your family, don’t forget to take time to play!  It bonds families closer together, plus beautiful prayers come from having fun and restoring the spirit. 

 

Join me as I play and pray.  I’ll be praying for you and your families!

 

The LORD has done great things for us; Oh, how happy we were! 

Psalm 126:3

 

Find your delight in the LORD who will give you your heart’s desire. 

Psalm: 37:4

 

Peace, Joy, and Love,

Janet

 

Play and pray. Pass it on!  

Pray for Marriages (Divine Perspective)

Greetings Prayer Warriors,

 

I thought I knew love on my wedding day

A heart so full, I couldn’t wait to say,

“I do! I do! Until death do us part,

I promise my honor and give you my heart!”

 

Who contemplates sickness, we both had our health, 

When you’re rich in love, you don’t seem to crave wealth.

Yet our marital life changed and evolved in a way

I never thought possible, not even for a day. 

 

But the Lord had a plan to humble us both, 

The trials began and boy did we loathe, 

The potholes and cracks we traveled upon,

The dreams that were dying, the fraying of bonds.

 

I fell to my knees, I begged and I prayed,

Tears streamed from my face; Lord help us today!

That we might have life, and relearn how to love, 

Through the struggles and strife, we need help from above!

 

I heard in my soul, let Love enter in, 

If you die to yourself, I’ll forgive all your sin.

Then peace will abound, and I’ll show you the way

But the journey will continue, so you’ll still have to pray. 

 

I now know True Love, of the infinite kind,

My heart is now mended, it’s origin divine. 

My marriage was saved and in a way was reborn, 

My praise is unending, because I was transformed.*

 

I, then, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to live in a manner worthy of the call you have received, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another through love, striving to preserve the unity of the spirit through the bond of peace. 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 4:1-3, 5:1-2

 

Peace, Joy, and Love,

Janet 

 

With humility and supplication, continue to pray! Pass it on!  

*composed by me