My Prayer List – it keeps growing!

       It happens very frequently. Sometimes before Mass but most often after Mass. People approach me with prayer requests – mostly for their family members who are seriously ill, undergoing surgery, or awaiting a diagnosis after a test. I’m humbled that they ask me to do this for them. I always ask for the first name of the person who needs prayer and people readily offer the name. I immediately make a mental note to include that person on my list of people who have been on the list for a long time or those who are recently added.

       At Masses I am privileged to celebrate, there is always a mental intention to include those on my prayer list. At quiet moments of prayer or when praying the Liturgy of the Hours, there is always a petition added that sounds like this: “For all those that I have promised to pray for and for those who have asked for my prayers.” It’s an all-inclusive statement so that no one is left out!

       Prayer is a continuous conversation with God – a never-ceasing awareness of His presence, ever so close. Lifting up family members, friends, and parishioners in prayer is not trying to manipulate God in any way, shape, or form. Including them in prayer throughout the day is a plea to our loving and gracious God to watch over those who are in any need and to allow them to become more aware of His loving presence. The psalmist says it so well: “The Lord is close to the broken hearted, He saves those who are crushed in spirit.” When we are sick, suffering, mourning, or grieving, it is so difficult to pray. We depend on others to pray for us in those moments. So, I ask our God to let His people experience an ever-deepening faith in His power to be present… a realization, an awareness that He never abandons us. In those moments of pain and suffering, He is there even though it is difficult to see Him and hear His voice.

       My prayer sometimes is an intercessory prayer with one of heaven’s saints: St. Lucy for people with eye trouble; St. Peregrine for those suffering with cancer; St. Blaise for those experiencing problems with the throat; St. Padre Pio for those needing relief from stress. God does not mind when we ask for graces and blessings through the intercession of one of His saints!

       Prayer – the lifting up of our minds and hearts to God – is such a great privilege; it is truly an honor to place people on my ever-growing prayer list. (Including those I have Confirmed!) When a person comes back to me and gives me an update, and a report on the person for whom they have requested prayers, I am able to thank God and praise God – even more – for His goodness and bountiful love!