Guidelines for Writing a Prayer Card or Letter
The following are simple guidelines or suggestions for you to follow when writing a prayer card/letter. You may also refer to the Sample Prayer Card. The important thing is to write from your heart. Try to remember how you felt Sunday afternoon when you both received your card. What did your prayer card say (or could have said better) to give you encouragement? Please share this special gift. We ask that both husband and wife contribute on each card. And please adhere to the instructions at the bottom of the page so that we can pair you up with your couple later on. You can use a Christian inspirational card (e.g. 'Praying for you') or just a nice card which is blank on the inside.
Start with a simple salutation: e.g. “Dear Ones”, “Dear Retrouvaille Couple”, etc
Let them know that you (will) have been praying for them: perhaps you lit a candle for them through-out the weekend or put their first names in a central place in your home, or that you “held them in your hearts”, as you prayed for them to work hard and rediscover each other, etc.
Relate to the couple: through your own experience, e.g. “We recently experienced our own Retrouvaille weekend and are building on the hope we found, as we attend the Post Sessions, we dialogue”, etc.
Affirm the couple: e.g. “The presentations of the Team may have been challenging but your relationship is worth every bit of effort that you give it. Congratulations on hanging in there!” or “Be pleased with your accomplishments this weekend and build on them through the Posts”, etc.
Give them hope: e.g. “It probably wasn’t easy but you made the decision to attend the weekend, and we hope you make the decision to love, as we have.” Or “We hope that you have found the courage to continue fighting for your marriage”, etc.
Bring God in: Please acknowledge God’s role in their relationship and lives and mention the power of His healing love.
Conclude with a loving remark: e.g. “We’re thinking of you.” “We will still be praying for you.” “We hope to meet you, someday, through Retrouvaille.” Or “We’re holding good thoughts for you!” etc.
Sign off: “Blessings to you both”, “Prayerfully yours”, “Hugs”, “Peace”, etc.
Signature: sign the card with just your first names. Last names are optional, and so is your phone number, if you’d like to include it. Someday, you might meet the couple that you will pray for at a CORE meeting or you can suggest getting together for a cup of coffee.
Finishing Instructions: Important. After signing with your first names, do NOT seal the envelope. Write your names with home and/or cell phone number where the Team can best reach you on a post-it note inside the back flap.
Once we know which couples are attending the next weekend, someone will call you and tell you who you are praying for (first names, only). Then pray hard for the couple(s)! Light a candle for them, put two flowers in a vase where you will see them frequently. Do whatever little actions will help you to ‘hold good thoughts’ for them as the couple prepares to attend and they work throughout the weekend and post sessions.
The Weekend Team will write the name of the couple that you are praying for on the front of the envelope and the couple will receive it on Sunday afternoon of their weekend. We thank you on their behalf.
Mail the completed cards to the address below. If you have questions, call Andy and Linda at 415-533-2151.
Linda and Andy Lee
1003 Curtner Avenue
San Jose, CA 95125
The following are simple guidelines or suggestions for you to follow when writing a prayer card/letter. You may also refer to the Sample Prayer Card. The important thing is to write from your heart. Try to remember how you felt Sunday afternoon when you both received your card. What did your prayer card say (or could have said better) to give you encouragement? Please share this special gift. We ask that both husband and wife contribute on each card. And please adhere to the instructions at the bottom of the page so that we can pair you up with your couple later on. You can use a Christian inspirational card (e.g. 'Praying for you') or just a nice card which is blank on the inside.
Start with a simple salutation: e.g. “Dear Ones”, “Dear Retrouvaille Couple”, etc
Let them know that you (will) have been praying for them: perhaps you lit a candle for them through-out the weekend or put their first names in a central place in your home, or that you “held them in your hearts”, as you prayed for them to work hard and rediscover each other, etc.
Relate to the couple: through your own experience, e.g. “We recently experienced our own Retrouvaille weekend and are building on the hope we found, as we attend the Post Sessions, we dialogue”, etc.
Affirm the couple: e.g. “The presentations of the Team may have been challenging but your relationship is worth every bit of effort that you give it. Congratulations on hanging in there!” or “Be pleased with your accomplishments this weekend and build on them through the Posts”, etc.
Give them hope: e.g. “It probably wasn’t easy but you made the decision to attend the weekend, and we hope you make the decision to love, as we have.” Or “We hope that you have found the courage to continue fighting for your marriage”, etc.
Bring God in: Please acknowledge God’s role in their relationship and lives and mention the power of His healing love.
Conclude with a loving remark: e.g. “We’re thinking of you.” “We will still be praying for you.” “We hope to meet you, someday, through Retrouvaille.” Or “We’re holding good thoughts for you!” etc.
Sign off: “Blessings to you both”, “Prayerfully yours”, “Hugs”, “Peace”, etc.
Signature: sign the card with just your first names. Last names are optional, and so is your phone number, if you’d like to include it. Someday, you might meet the couple that you will pray for at a CORE meeting or you can suggest getting together for a cup of coffee.
Finishing Instructions: Important. After signing with your first names, do NOT seal the envelope. Write your names with home and/or cell phone number where the Team can best reach you on a post-it note inside the back flap.
Once we know which couples are attending the next weekend, someone will call you and tell you who you are praying for (first names, only). Then pray hard for the couple(s)! Light a candle for them, put two flowers in a vase where you will see them frequently. Do whatever little actions will help you to ‘hold good thoughts’ for them as the couple prepares to attend and they work throughout the weekend and post sessions.
The Weekend Team will write the name of the couple that you are praying for on the front of the envelope and the couple will receive it on Sunday afternoon of their weekend. We thank you on their behalf.
Mail the completed cards to the address below. If you have questions, call Andy and Linda at 415-533-2151.
Linda and Andy Lee
1003 Curtner Avenue
San Jose, CA 95125