prayer guide prayer guide prayer guide prayer guide prayer guide prayer guide prayer guide prayer guide prayer guide prayer guide prayer guide prayer guide prayer guide
PASTORS
Dear friend, We are so proud of you as you begin, or continue, this powerful journey of discovering your own personal prayer life. Learning what prayer is, how to pray, and how important prayer is to your everyday life is one of the most important things you can do as a believer in Jesus. From day one our church has always set out to be a people of prayer We want to pray first in every situation, good or bad. Jesus is always the answer, He is our best friend, and He is always ready to talk with us.
Praying with Jesus is not only something that we need in our lives, but it should be something that we want to do The more we learn about prayer, the easier it becomes. The easier it becomes, the more fun it is! Praying and talking with Jesus should be the best part of your day!
We hope that you will use this prayer guide to make your prayer life more personal. When you find out how to have real conversations with Jesus everyday, then you will experience the presence of God, and that will change your life in the best way possible
I pray blessings over your prayer life because prayer changes everything!
Sincerely, Pastors Darnell & Rochelle West
How to use this guide
1.
Sign up for a time slot by texting Pray24 to 314-310-5955
Let the Holy Spirit lead you. Influence Church is a Spirit-filled and Spirit-led church. This guide is meant to promote unity so that we are praying for the same subject matter daily and to be a resource for those who may not know what or how to pray.
Set the alarm on your phone to remind you it is time to pray.
Locate the day that corresponds to the current day of the month. If you need a reminder of the time you signed up text 24time to 314-3105955.
During your designated prayer time pray for the prayer points listed that day.
Pray out the scriptures listed or use them scriptures listed to reinforce your prayers Here are a couple of examples:
Father you said in Jeremiah 3:5 that you gave us shepherds after your own heart that feed us with knowledge and understanding I thank you for pastors that live this out and I pray that Pastors Darnell and Rochelle will continue to grow in wisdom and stature that they are blessed in the city, blessed in the field, their children are blessed, the work of their hands is blessed, their land is blessed, no weapon that’s formed against them shall prosper and every tongue that rises in judgment shall be condemned.
1 Thessalonians 2:13 – Father, I thank you that believers at Influence Church hear and receive the word of God not as the word of man but that they take it to heart as God’s true word to them and that God himself is at work in them.
7. Pray for Pastors Darnell & Rochelle West and their children daily
Day One
Ask For the Gift
I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever; ~ John 14:16 If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him?” ~ Luke 11:13
The Holy Spirit is not just a gift. He’s a good gift. He’s a gift that keeps giving and comes with benefits. One of those benefits is help. Having help means we have aid, assistance, and relief. It means we have a coworker that is also an advocate, comforter, and counselor. What’s amazing is that we get to have the Holy Spirit as a partner on this journey simply by asking.
If you haven’t asked for the gift of the Holy Spirit today’s a good day to ask. If you have already experienced the gift today is a good day to ask for a refreshing and refilling. Father, I thank you for the gift of the Holy Spirit. Today I ask the Holy Spirit to come upon me and fill me. I ask that it be evident that he is with me as I pray, fast, and show Jesus. I thank you for not having to be alone on this journey. Today I acknowledge the Holy Spirit as my partner.
Day Two
Wait On the Gift
On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command:“Do not leave Jerusalem but waitfor the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about ~ Acts 1:4
So many times, we get instructions our immediate response is to spring into action. However, when it came to the Disciples showing Jesus, that’s not what he had in mind. He told them don’t leave (don’t just start moving) but to wait on the gift. Wait in this means more than looking for, hoping for, and anticipating. It also means to entwine. It’s a twisting together (like a braid) that takes stands from the same source that are separated and intertwines them, so they become one. If we are honest, many of us don’t like waiting. We want everything our way and we want it fast.
Today choose to be still and wait. Yes, waiting is a process and requires patience. What’s awesome is we have a promise that when we let patience have her perfect work, we become perfect, whole, and want for nothing.
Father, forgive me for the times that I moved without consulting you, moved out of your timing, and disobeyed you. Today I choose to wait for the gift I asked for and walk in synchronization with the Holy Spirit.
Day Three
Receive the Gift – Give it access to you
Peter said to them, “Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit For the promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off, as many as the Lord our God will call to Himself.” ~ Acts 2:38-39
Although we get excited about gifts, many of us have issues receiving them especially when we don’t see a need for them, understand how to use them, or simply don’t want them. How many gifts have you re-gifted? How many gifts are just sitting around because you accepted them but will never use them? God knew would we have these same issues with spiritual things, so he chose to remind us in his word that we not only need to ask and wait but we also need to position and prepare ourselves to receive. The word receive is mentioned 324 times in 50 books of the Bible. Several of those times are related to the Holy Spirit. When it comes to the gift of the Holy Spirit often, we accept it but never receive it. When you accept something, you take possession of it. When you receive something, you give it access to you, assume responsibility for it, and gladly welcome it.
Today decide to move from acceptance to receipt. Take some time to write down the answers to the following questions: Are there areas in my life that I have not given the Holy Spirit full access to? If so, what are they? Are there instructions or an assignment that you have been given that you have not accepted responsibility for? Am I gladly seeking and listening to the Holy Spirit?
Holy Spirit, I recognize that I have not fully received you and have not always sought your counsel, followed your leading, or carried out your instructions Forgive me Today I make a new commitment to release the reigns of my life and give you full access to every area
Day Four
Open the Gift – Access the Gift
But you shall receive powerwhen the Holy Spirit has come upon you, andyou shall bewitnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea andSamaria, and to theend of the earth ” ~ Acts 1:8
The Holy Spirit is one of those good and perfect gifts that come from above. Not only does it come with help, advocacy, and comfort as mentioned on day 2, it comes with power. Power is a relationship word (it comes through a relationship) that means capacity, authority, ability, might, and strength. When we open the gift of the Holy Spirit, we have the power to fast, pray, and show Jesus. This means we don’t have to be afraid to pray or talk with people. It is not with our power that we do these things. Where our capacity ends the Holy Spirit’s capacity begins. An unopened gift will never fulfill its purpose in your life. Why? Because until you open it you don’t have access to it.
Receiving a gift gives it access to you. Opening a gift gives you access to it. An unopened gift will never fulfill its purpose in your life. Today open the gift of the Holy Spirit by exploring all that comes with it. Then start to utilize everything you have access to.
Holy Spirit, thank you for being my partner on this journey. Open my eyes to see challenges that arise as opportunities to use the access I have to you.
Day Five Day Six (cont.)
Know the Gift
ILook at how much encouragement you’ve found in your relationship with the Anointed One! You are filled to overflowing with his comforting love You have experienced a deepening friendship with the Holy Spirit and have felt his tender affection and mercy.~ Philippians 2:1
Many have the misconception that Holy Spirit is it. However, he is a person. Not only is he a person, but he desires a relationship with you. He wants to know you. He wants you to experience friendship with him. That experience includes reaping all the benefits that come with being connected to him. Like any relationship knowing the Holy Spirit requires you to spend time with him. It requires you to get to know his characteristics and attributes through the study of the word and communing with him.
Today take time to become better acquainted with the Holy Spirit. Spend time in scripture getting to know him. Spend time in his presence learning his voice.
Holy Spirit my prayer today is simply to know you more. Show me you so that as I pray, fast, and show Jesus your presence will be evident in my life.
But what happens when we live God’s way? He brings gifts into our lives, much the same way that fruit appears in an orchard things like affection for others, exuberance about life, and serenity We develop a willingness to stick with things, a sense of compassion in the heart, and a conviction that a basic holiness permeates things and people. We find ourselves involved in loyal commitments, not needing to force our way in life, able to marshal and direct our energies wisely.
Legalism is helpless in bringing this about; it only gets in the way. Among those who belong to Christ, everything connected with getting our way and mindlessly responding to what everyone else calls necessities is killed off for good crucified. Since this is the kind of life we have chosen, the life of the Spirit, let us make sure that we do not just hold it as an idea in our heads or a sentiment in our hearts, but work out its implications in every detail of our lives. That means we will not compare ourselves with each other as if one of us were better and another worse. We have far more interesting things to do with our lives. Each of us is an original. Galatians 5:19-26
There is no better way to show Jesus than to display the characteristics of the Holy Spirit in our daily lives. Today do a self-examination. As you read the passage below, underline the areas that are your strengths. Circle the areas you need to be mindful of. Ask others if they agree with your assessment.
Day Six
Display the Gift
It is obvious what kind of life develops out of trying to get your way all the time: repetitive, loveless, cheap sex; a stinking accumulation of mental and emotional garbage; frenzied and joyless grabs for happiness; trinket gods; magic-show religion; paranoid loneliness; cutthroat competition; all-consuming-yet-neversatisfied wants; a brutal temper; impotence to love or be loved; divided homes and divided lives; smallminded and lopsided pursuits; the vicious habit of depersonalizing everyone into a rival; uncontrolled and uncontrollable addictions; ugly parodies of community I could go on This isn’t the first time I have warned you, you know If you use your freedom this way, you will not inherit God’s kingdom
But the fruit of the Spirit [the result of His presence within us] is love [unselfish concern for others], joy, [inner] peace, patience [not the ability to wait, but how we act while waiting], kindness, goodness, faithfulness,gentleness, self-control Against such things there is no law And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified thesinful nature together with its passions and appetites If we [claim to] live by the [Holy] Spirit, we must also walk by the Spirit [with personal integrity, godly character, and moral courage our conduct empowered by the Holy Spirit] We must not become conceited, challengingorprovoking one another, envying one another Galatians 5:22-26 Holy Spirit, I ask you the helper to assist me in staying strong in the areas of my strength and become better in the areas that are my weaknesses Help me display your characteristics daily
Day Seven
Utilize the Gift
As each has received a gift, employ it in serving one another, as good managers of the grace of God in its various forms 1 Peter 4:10
Spiritual Gifts (and some natural gifts) are not for us They are for the building of God’s Kingdom and the equipping of others Often, we only reap the benefits such as finances and fulfillment when we allow others to experience our gifts Like money, our gifts are to be stewarded We decided when, where, and how they are used
Today be intentional about using your gifts to serve others
Father, forgive me for the times I’ve been selfish and used my gifts only for my benefit As I go throughout my day, open my eyes to see opportunities to show Jesus by using my gifts to serve others
Day Eight
Showing Jesus to Yourself
If you keep the royal law found in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,”you are doing right ~ James 2:8
God is Love One of the ways you show Jesus is to show, give, and be love Love is often shown within the confines of a relationship Your relationship with God affects your relationship with yourself Your relationship with yourself affects your relationships with others Lots of Christians struggle with sharing the love of Jesus with themselves This is evident from the lack of self-care, balance, self-worth, and the little amount of grace they show themselves Today’s passage shows that it’s ok to love yourselves When you love yourself, you are doing right
Today be intentional about working on your relationship with yourself Take some time a sit with yourself Consider if you know yourself Write down what showing love to yourself looks like for you Then do it
Father, forgive me for not loving and taking care of myself as I should I acknowledge that my ability to show Jesus to others is directly affected by my ability to love myself. I want to be better. I can’t do this on my own. I thank you for helping me.
Day Nine
Showing Jesus to Your Spouse
However, each one of you also must love his wifeas he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.
Ephesians 5:33
Below are some attributes of love taken from 1 Corinthians 13 As you read them ask yourself am I loving my spouse well in this area? Then ask your spouse how you are doing in these areas
Love never gives up Love cares more for others than for self Love doesn’t want what it doesn’t have Love doesn’t strut, Doesn’t have a swelled head, Doesn’t force itself on others, Isn’t always “me first,” Doesn’t fly off the handle, Doesn’t keep score of the sins of others, Doesn’t revel when others grovel, Takes pleasure in the flowering of truth, Puts up with anything, Trusts God always, Always looks for the best, Never looks back, But keeps going to the end
As people, we evolve and change every day Today commit to never stop getting to know your spouse, praying with and for your spouse, honoring your spouse, and displaying the attributes of love daily
Father, Thank you for the institute of marriage Thank you for the privilege and honor of having a spouse Remind me daily that my love for my spouse should reflect your love for me Help me to show Jesus to my spouse by being an example of the love of Jesus daily
Day Ten
Showing Jesus Your Children
Fathers do not provoke your children to anger but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord ~ Ephesians 6:4 Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old, he will not depart from it. ~ Proverbs 22:6 The rod and reproof give wisdom, but a child left to himself brings shame to his mother.
~ Proverbs 29:15
Showing Jesus to your children requires one thing that many of us have but in many cases, we don’t have it for them. That one thing is time. How many times has one of your children approached you with a question, or issue, or maybe even just hug you and turned them away because you were busy? What if God did that to you?
Today’s passages talk about loving our children by giving them instruction and discipline. They let us know not only is it good for them, but it keeps us from being shamed. When was the last time you took the time to instruct and train your children?
Today be intentional about spending time with your children individually and collectively.
Father, thank you that I get to parent the beautiful children you have blessed me with. Help me to prepare them so they can arrows shot into the enemy’s camp. Show me spaces of time that I can spend with them.
Day Eleven
Showing Jesus to Your Father and Mother
Children,obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right 2“Honor your father and mother,”which is the first commandment with promise:3“that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth ” Ephesians ~ 6:1-3
Obeying parents and honoring fathers and mothers are commands. Yet somehow, over time, they became a choice for many of us. Today’s passages remind us of those commands and make a clear distinction between parenting and being a father and mother. Parenting is using your time, gifts, knowledge, skills, and resources to train, instruct, and see to the emotional, physical, and spiritual well-being of a person. Fathering and Mothering are a matter of contributing to the creation and birth of a person. We are commanded to obey the people raising us and honor the people who gave birth to us. Unfortunately, the people who gave birth aren’t always the ones who do the raising. In these cases, it is often hard to honor them due to the pain caused by their absence (just because they were in the home doesn’t mean they were present and participated in raising you).
If your mother and father didn’t parent you, choose to forgive them and find a way to honor them today. If you were blessed to have your father and mother parent you, be intentional about honoring and being a blessing to them today.
Father, thank you for my father and mother. Help me to honor and show them Jesus regularly.
Day Twelve
Showing Jesus to your Siblings
Bekindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love,in honor giving preference to one another; ~ Romans 12:10
Siblings need Jesus too lol! Well, they need to be shown the love of Jesus too that is. Sibling relationships have some very interesting dynamics. You love them like no other yet there are times you want to just put your hands around their neck. You trust and like them most of the time, but they get on your nerves. You argue and fight with them, but you’ll be first to stand up and fight for them.
Today’s passage encourages us to show Jesus by being kind, affectionate, honoring, and giving preference to one another. Siblings are included in one another. It says we are to show others, brotherly love. Brother love is a natural affection that has the attributes of love described in 1 Corinthians 13 that we show our siblings.
Today reach out to and love on your siblings.
Father, Thank you for my siblings. Help me to love them in a better way. I forgive and release them from the times they hurt and disappointed me. I thank you that my relationships with my siblings are renewed and refreshing.
Day Thirteen
Showing Jesus to your Extended Family
Be kind to one another,tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you ~ Ephesians 4:32
The key word in today’s passage is forgive. As we move forward, and various events happen family relationships are going to be key to survival. In some cases, the family will be all that people have.
Today reflect on the familial relationships in your life that are strained. Choose to forgive them for hurting you and move forward.
Father, today I forgive for . I submit our relationship to you. Heal me the hurt and help me to move forward.
Day Fourteen
Showing Jesus to Your Church Family
If you’ve gotten anything at all out of following Christ if his love has made any difference in your life if being in a community of the Spirit means anything to you if you have a heart if youcare then do me a favor: Agree with each other, love each other, be deepspirited friends Don’t push your way to the front; don’t sweet-talk your way to the top Put yourself aside, and help others get ahead Don’t be obsessed with getting your advantage Forget yourselves long enough to lend a helping hand ~ Philippians 2:1-4
At Influence Church we reach UP (towards Heaven), IN (towards each other), and OUT (towards the lost and others) Today’s passage gives us several ways we can show Jesus to those who are a part of our body of believers Grab a pen and underline those ways
Today live out Galatians 6:10 and do good to those in the household of faith Be intentional about reaching in
Father, thank you for my church family Today I ask you to highlight someone to me so I can reach out and show Jesus to them
Day Fifteen
Mountain of Government
When the righteousare in authority, thepeople rejoice; But when a wickedmanrules,the people groan ~ Proverbs 29:2
Pray those good godly people are in authority and we rejoice. Pray that people of faith serving in government are intentional about operating in humility and servanthood and that power and control don’t overtake them. Pray that those involved with both writing laws and administrating them, whether in legislative, judicial, executive capacities, military, or law enforcement do so with wisdom, revelation, truth, and justice. Pray for more godly men and women to rise and take their place in positions within government across our nation.
Finally, pray that the Spirit of the Lord and His wisdom will be upon all the following:
Federal Government: Executive, legislative and judicial branches
State Government: Executive, legislative and judicial branches
Local Government: Executive, legislative and judicial branches, as well as police and first responders
Military: Pray for leaders, divine protection for our troops, and courage and dependence on God.
Day Sixteen
Mountain of Media
How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings,who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, “Your God reigns!” 7How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace,who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, “Your God reigns!” How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion,“Your God reigns!” ~ Isaiah 57: 5-7
Pray that purity and integrity would return and become the foundation of media. Pray that God would raise both the current and the next generation of Spirit-filled men and women in the Media to be a light in the darkness, who presents His truths in love. Pray that producers and creators would increasingly seek to create meaningful stories that highlight and balance the best in people and not emphasize the worst. Pray the news would be reported in truth and without exaggeration. Pray that innovative and revolutionary communication tools would be imagined, designed, and implemented to impart the wisdom and heart of God to the nations. Pray the pursuits of those called to work in the media arena would ultimately lead viewers to God.
Day Seventeen Day Eighteen
Mountain of Arts and Entertainment
and He has filled him with the Spirit of God, in wisdom and understanding, in knowledge and all manner of workmanship,32to design artistic works, to work in gold and silver and bronze,in cutting jewels for setting, in carving wood, and to work in all manner of artistic workmanship “And He has put in his heart the ability to teach,inhim andAholiab the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan 35He hasfilled them with skill to do all manner of work of the engraver and the designer and the tapestry maker, in blue, purple, and scarletthread,and fine linen, and of the weaver those who do every work and those who design artistic works Exodus 35:31-35
Pray that those called to this mountain would be filled with the Holy Spirit and move in wisdom, understanding, and knowledge that they may overcome darkness with light and produce entertainment that displays godly lifestyles, behaviors, and values and believers will actively support it Pray that this mountain is free from corruption and perversion Pray for a greater and lasting recovery of the arts and imagination for the Church to remain relevant in its communication with our culture Pray for the spiritual and artistic formation of the next generation of leaders in the arts who are followers of Jesus
Mountain of Business
And if thou sell ought unto thy neighbour, or buyest ought of thy neighbour's hand, ye shall not oppress one another: Leviticus 25:14 A false balance is abomination to the LORD: but a just weight is his delight Proverbs 11:1 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows 1 Timothy 6:10 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him Colossians 3:17
Pray that when an individual is called and gifted to labor in the Mountain of Commerce, they recognize it is a high and holy calling Pray that temptations to gather wealth solely for personal gain would be exposed and a spirit of generosity would prevail in our culture unlike any other time in history with business leaders and companies committed to building for the glory of God Pray that the US would become known as a country of wealth coupled with a spirit of generosity where the needs of the poor, widows, and orphans are met with abundance Pray that the fruits of honest work be conveyed to bless an increasingly larger number of people in America and around the world Pray that attempts by the government to unjustly remove, restrict, or redistribute the creation of wealth be hindered and realigned to protect the stewardship rights of every individual Pray that those that are materially wealthy would also experience spiritual, emotional, and relational wealth Pray that Kingdom-minded leaders in this mountain integrate prayer into their businesses Pray that the next generation of entrepreneurs will go boldly where others have not gone before with creative and "true wealth" building Pray that daily Bible studies and prayer meetings will be ignited in revival in the workplace Pray for the strengthening of Christian business owners, CEOs, managers, and workers who are ministers of the Gospel in their jobs
Day Nineteen Day Twenty
Mountain of Education
Take hold of instruction, do not let go. Guard her, for she is your life. Proverbs 4:13 Wisdom strengthens the wise more than ten rulers of the city Ecclesiastes 7:1 Wisdom is better than weapons of war, but one sinner destroys much good Ecclesiastes 9:18 And that from childhood you have known the sacred writings which can give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus 2 Timothy 3:15 Pray that both America and the Church will take hold of and guard education Pray for teachers who are lovers of Jesus Pray that they would bring in a righteous revolution for the sake of our children Pray for safety on our school campuses; no violence, bullying, or any other works of darkness will not be permitted! Pray that parents will take personal responsibility for their children’s education by ensuring the content being taught is in harmony with a Biblical worldview and includes revelation Pray that educators will teach the truth about God and that a new generation of inspired and gifted teachers will understand their calling in this arena Pray that parents will “adopt” and regularly pray for teachers, administrators, and staff who work in the schools to become outstanding role models by exhibiting good character Pray that schools become a place where Holy Spirit is welcome, and miracles can occur Pray that the mountain of education once again becomes a place where the laws of God are written on the hearts and in the minds of our children Pray for a new generation of textbook authors to produce quality materials that provide the knowledge of God and critical thinking skills
Mountain of Religion
If anyoneamong you thinks he is religious anddoes not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one’s religionisuseless Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this:to visit orphans and widows in their troubleandto keep oneself unspotted from the world James 1:26 – 27 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cumin and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness These you ought to have done, without neglecting the others Matthew 23:23
Pray that the church positions itself as the bride of Christ, practices pure religion, and does not neglect the weightier things of the law Pray that all forms of idolatry and deception existing in the mountain of religion cease Pray that believers will show Jesus and demonstrate His love, power, and authority everywhere they are called to work and live Pray for the Great Commission to be carried out in terms of both personal salvation and discipling of neighborhoods, cities, and nations Pray for the gifts of the Holy Spirit to be recognized, understood, and welcomed everywhere Pray the Word of God becomes the “plumb line” of belief among all followers of Jesus Pray believers on the Religion Mountain will have a strong presence upon the other six mountains Pray for those who serve in local churches to understand the five-fold ministry gifts of apostles, prophets, evangelists, teachers, and pastors Pray that five-fold ministry gifts are distributed throughout the mountains of influence, not just churches
Day Twenty-One
Mountain of Family
At Caesarea,there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion in what was known as the Italian Regiment.He and all his family were devout and Godfearing;he gave generously to those in need and prayed to God regularly. Acts 10: 1-2 Anyone who does not provide for their relatives, and especially for their household, has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. 1 Timothy 5:8 Children are a heritage from the LORD, offspring a reward from him. Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are children born in one's youth Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them They will not be put to shame when they contend with their opponents in court Psalm 127:3-5
Pray for the healing and restoration of families Pray that marriage remains and is restored as the foundation of the family unit Pray for healing in marriages fractured by affairs, alcoholism, pornography, drug addictions, and other vices the enemy uses to tear husbands and wives apart Decree that generational curses are broken and reversed release generational blessings Pray that the hearts of the fathers would be turned to the children and the hearts of the children to their fathers Pray for those experiencing separation from their spouses or siblings due to military service, incarceration, or health afflictions