A Family That Prays

A Family that prays together stays together. Happy families don’t just happen. Like everything else in life we have to diligently work at it.

Everyone knows prayer is the only way to make any sense on this world. Ok maybe not everyone but at least you do. And so does MC Hammer who says “we need to pray just make it a day, I say we pray, Oh Yeah, we pray”. Excuse the paraphrase.

“I fear John Knox’s prayers more than an army of ten thousand.”
- Mary, Queen of Scots

Those who fight on their knees have got victory in the spirit. Man is body, soul and spirit. That is what sets us apart from other beings. Whatever affects us affects our body, soul and spirit. What affects our body is a mere symptom of the real issue. The real issues are rooted in our spirit. That is why doctors advice you to be maintain a cheerful disposition when ill because that will help you get well quicker. So don’t treat the symptom, treat the root cause. The only way to do that is through prayer.

We haven’t got that much knowledge or power to deal with all that happen in our lives, so we need to pray. For example, you can only be in one place at any given time. What happens elsewhere, no matter how much it affects you, is beyond your power. Most incidents are well out of your sphere of influence. You can’t make sure your child doesn’t fall off the swing at kindergarten while you are at work. You leave that to God and hope everything goes well. The fact, if you will be true to yourself, is that you actually pray that all goes well.
So you may as well admit it. Prayer is the key to peace of mind and success in life. Every religion has a prayer element to it. Mary Queen of Scot is noted for saying “I fear John Knox’s prayers more than an army of ten thousand.” Even those who don’t pray know that prayer works. You will do well not to ignore this.

Now that we are all agreed on that principle, let’s consider the importance of communal prayer. Is it really necessary to involve your family in prayer? After all you can pray for them yourself, cant you?
Prayer brings every participant together in agreement. You can’t be upset with someone when you are praying with them. Communal prayer helps to bring you closer and harmonizes your family. When you all pray together you have a chance to communicate. That chance may not be there when you are rushing around doing your own thing, barely speaking or listening to each other. Teenagers have perfected the art of ignoring parents and barely getting involved with their siblings. But when you sit or kneel together in communal prayer, all other activities cease. No matter how much their minds wonder, when it’s their turn to pray they will focus on the need of each individual in the group. As with everything else with children, keep it short and sharp.

Practice makes perfect. The more you do it the more they get used to it, the better you all get. It lays as solid foundation for your children to draw from when faced with peer pressure and other issues of life. Whatever religion you practise, your children are learning from you. What do mum and dad do every day. What do they do in a time or crisis? How do they resolve knotty issues? Your children are watching. ( Watch out for the full jist in the next edition of Perfect Harmony Magazine coming soon)

Easy MAKE UP to JAZZ up your looks

Reinventing yourself is a great way to infuse some excitement into your daily life. You don’t have to splash out on a whole new wardrobe. A simple thing like changing your style of Make Up can really work wonders.

I always like to start with a great foundation and loose powder. Take a good look at your complexion and make sure you have the right shade for your skin tone.
Simply changing the shade of your lipstick can make a dramatic change to your looks.

I love the berry shades. You can choose from Mary Kay’s Fig Tree or good old Magenta from Island Beauty. Earth tones are great, but if you don’t have the time for a full on make up every morning, try a good press powder with some dramatic lipstick. But be sure to keep it within the lines of your lips. No smudges or lipstick on the teeth either.





This is quite some lady. Very busy mother, but she is never too busy to take good care of herself. What’s your excuse?

Au Naturel – I love this look. When painstakingly done you look understated yet well done up. Well even if you’re not getting married this season, bring out the brand new you with lovely gold and bronze tones. They work well under the arch of your brow and as highlights for your shadow. Try the earth tones of the Shimmer Cubes from Body Shop or Amber Blaze or Chocolate Kiss from Mary Kay.

For a more sultry night look, add a touch of dark colour to your C zone. That’s the outer corners of your eyes.



The eyes are the window to your soul. They say everything you mean to say and things you want to leave unsaid. The "Au Naturel" look works on anyone. It is subtle yet brilliant and exciting, youthful yet sophisticated. It says "Hey the sky is grey and the year uncertain but I'm kicking it. Would you like to join me!"

Teentronics

Schools are out, Holidays are in. What better time to frolic and somehow land into trouble? On Teenage Issues, this edition we discuss the allure of the forbidden in a tale by one our own Generation NX:

“I caught my teenage cousin having sex. Should I tell my mum or my aunt or just mind my own business?”

There I was minding my own business one lovely Saturday afternoon when my mum got it into her head to send me on an errand to my aunt’s with a surprise hamper to deliver. Now my own head is full of stuff I wish I didn’t know and can do without and I don’t know how to get out. Since when did we start giving surprise hampers to family members anyway? Hampers are for my father’s colleagues and special others. Family members get the occasional visit or something.

I was engrossed in my latest book and couldn’t wait to get to my aunt’s house and back so I took the short cut right across our garden in to the neighbour’s and the next and I was at my aunts. It’s easier to get in the back door than walk down the street round the corner dodging every car, bicycle and gutter to get to the fortress they call a fence. The fence is so high and the gate so huge, I not only dislike standing in front of it looking beggarly while waiting for the guard to come, I also don’t see the point since the back of the house is all open and they never completed the fence back there. Anyway I would rather avoid the half deaf gate man and the nonsensical door bell that never works.

So I skipped through hedges and dived under shrubs till I got to my aunt’s. I expected to find some of the children in the garden or the household staff cleaning up or generally pretending to be busy. But it all seemed quiet. I resolved to leave the hamper under some bush if I found no one at home. I am definitely not going to log this heavy hamper back home. I found the back door locked when I tried it. I rapped on the door and on the window without any luck. I peered in the kitchen window shielding my eyes from the glaring sun to get a better view. Nothing. As I turned to leave I thought I heard the sound of laughter. It maybe the TV is on which means someone must be home. I made my way gingerly along the side of the house trying to get to a living room window. I managed to get there but all the blinds were drawn except for a little parting at the bottom where the blinds failed to meet. I peered in pressing my nose to the window. I was just thinking how the guard would think me a thief if he found me now when I noticed movements. A couple of people clung to each other kissing and reeling from the wall to the couch. My heart stopped. I turned to run but curiosity got the best of me so I looked closer. I thought I recognised one of them. It’s my cousin. Naked! Oh dear! What is she thinking? She is just the same age as I am. I’d never dream of it, my mum would kill me. What if she got pregnant!

I ran as fast as my short legs would carry me and I was home much too soon. Now I have to face my mum. What’s the matter? Why are you panting? I ran. Why, what happened? Nothing, I wanted to get home quickly. I grabbed my book and fled to my room. I didn’t know what to do or who to tell or whether to tell anyone at all. My aunt came round latter in the evening to thank us for the hamper. I had to leave the sanctuary of my room to greet her. I had no choice. I was always pleased to see her but today was different. Now I don’t know what to do and I can’t get the scene out of my mind. Should I tell someone before my cousin gets pregnant?

Perfect Harmony Magazine would really like to know what you think is best to do in this situation. Send your suggestions to jemima@perfectharmony.org.uk . We would love to hear from you.