Month: September 2017

 “So shall my word be that goes forth from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and prosper in the thing for which I sent it.” 

– Isaiah 55:11

 

Meditation

Where do we start in finding the words to pray for our spouse and our family? With the Word of God!

Katie Hartfiel cracks open her Bible to share with us how we can boldly go before the Lord and intercede for our families. Using Scripture, our journal, and even Google, our prayer can become a daily act of surrendering the joys and struggles of our families to the Lord and allowing Him to respond generously in our hearts and lives. We can also revisit these prayers to discover how faithful and fruitful our God truly is!

Live It! Tip of the Week: Set aside 15-20 minutes this week to pray for your family using Scripture.

Prayer

Hear my prayer, O Lord;
give ear to my supplications!
In thy faithfulness answer me,
in thy righteousness!

Let me hear in the morning of thy steadfast love,
for in thee I put my trust.
Teach me the way I should go,
for to thee I lift up my soul.
Deliver me, O Lord, from my enemies!
I have fled to thee for refuge!

Teach me to do thy will,
for thou art my God!
Let thy good spirit lead me
on a level path!

Psalm 143:1,8-10

 “Be sober, be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” 

– 1 Peter 5:8

 

Meditation

How far am I willing to go to fight spiritually for my family?

The spiritual war that is waging over every family is much more fierce and the stakes are infinitely higher than even the most brutal war in human history. If that is the case, are you willing to engage in the spiritual battle over your family? To what extent?

Katie Hartfiel discusses how she wrote the book Woman in Love for young women after she was convicted as a teenager to pray intensely for her “husband to be” before they had even met. Now, she explains how that fervent prayer must continue into married life!

Live It! Tip of the Week: Pray for your spouse every single day.  Consider it spiritual warfare. The battle ground is your family.

Next week, we will hear about a specific way that we can pray for our families.

Prayer

St. Michael the Archangel
defend us in battle.
Be our protection against the wickedness
and snares of the Devil.
May God rebuke him, we humbly pray,
and do thou,
O Prince of the heavenly hosts,
by the power of God,
cast into hell Satan,
and all the evil spirits,
who prowl about the world
seeking the ruin of souls. Amen

 “Hear my cry, O God, listen to my prayer; from the end the earth I call to thee, when my heart is faint. Lead thou me to the rock that is higher than I; for thou
art my refuge.” 

– Psalm 61:1-3

Meditation
During the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey and Irma and the devastating flooding and destruction everyone is under increased tension. Tension effects couples. After Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans in 2005 divorces increased – “the Katrina divorces.”

Here’s a few quick tips to help with tension personally and in marriages.

• Personal Prayer – it reduces fear and anxiety and increases empathy and compassion. It also gives us the grace to handle the most difficult situations.
• Anytime you get especially stressed out, let it be a trigger. Take a deep breathe and send your spouse a text that you love her. When you’re stressed, so something nice for someone else. It will end up comforting you as well!
• Give compliments: “A compliment a day helps to keep the divorce lawyer away.” Remember, your spouse is working as hard as you are. Thank her for her effort.
• Do spontaneous acts of kindness – such as flowers, a cup of coffee, chocolates, etc.
• Tell your wife you love her several times a day and why you love her.
• Eat dinner together.
• Start a “memory conversation” where you recall a special moment in your life together as a couple. When you remember, the brain reactivates the positive neurochemicals associated with the original moment.

Live It! Tip of the Week: Be the change your marriage and family needs.  Amidst the storms around us, try to find God’s presence in your spouse and children. Bring them joy in the little things.

Prayer
Incline thy ear, O Lord, and answer me,
for I am poor and needy.
Preserve my life, for I am godly;
save thy servant who trusts in thee.
Thou art my God; be gracious to me, O Lord,
for to thee do I cry all the day.
Gladden the soul of thy servant,
for to thee, O Lord, do I lift up my soul.
For thou, O Lord, art good and forgiving,
abounding in steadfast love to all who call on thee.
Give ear, O Lord, to my prayer;
hearken to my cry of supplication.
In the day of my trouble I call on thee,
for thou dost answer me.
– Psalm 86

“And Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.”
–Luke 1:45

Meditation

The Church celebrates three birthdays: the birth of Mary, the birth of John the Baptist, and the birth of Jesus. Those are the three people born in human history that Church recognizes as born without the stain of Original Sin.

The Feast of Mary’s Nativity is near and dear to TMIY, because the That Man is You! program first met on Sept. 8, 2004—Mary’s birthday. For that reason, we dedicated TMIY to her from it’s outset. What we didn’t realize until later is that the first meeting also fell on a Wednesday—the day dedicated to Saint Joseph. St. Joseph likes to remain hidden, but is he always right there with Mary. In a very profound way, we attribute the fruitfulness of TMIY to Our Lady and Saint Joseph.

Live It! Practical Tip of the Week: If you would like to do something for God, get close to Our Lady and Saint Joseph. They will help give birth to that desire in your heart, and they’ll help give birth to that reality in the world. Through you, God can do great things.

Prayer

Mary, Mother of Jesus, give me your heart so beautiful, so pure, so immaculate, that I may be able to receive Jesus in the Bread of Life, love Him as you loved Him.

Amen.

From http://www.catholicscomehome.org/your-questions/church-teachings/mary-the-saints/