Prayer Requests

A reader writes:

My friend and co-worker abruptly quit her job this morning, due to an escalating and grim situation involving her teenage daughter. This family could use a boatload of prayers, as they are of no religious bent. The daughter has been spiraling for some time, and my co-worker has worked part-time for the past couple of years so that she could be available to her after school and during the summer. They are financially okay as her husband works, but they have no clear direction on finding help for their child.

This is a very bright and beautiful girl, but there have been many, many signs that her problems extend beyond typical “teenage angst”. I spoke with my friend briefly today as she collected her things, and while she was not comfortable talking too specifically she did say events took a very sudden turn for the worse over the weekend with the discovery of self mutilation and journaling about suicide. My friend is devastated, afraid and guilt-ridden that she has not done enough to be available to her daughter.

If nothing else prayers for guidance on finding the right psychologist for this child, and a good counselor for the whole family, would be wonderful.

Father, hear our prayer for this family and especially for this girl that they be granted the grace of faith, hope and love through your Son Jesus Christ. Mother Mary, pray for this mother and her daughter, and for the whole family.

Another reader writes:

I’m currently working with Toronto’s Regis College (www.regiscollege.ca) on their prayer website ForThisWePray.com. We developed the website to encourage people to pray online, an avenue for shared prayer across the world. People can submit their prayer requests online, prayers are kept confidential and the Regis College community and the Regis Jesuits include all petitions received in their weekly Wednesday community mass at the college on campus.

We’ve launched a special Prayers for Haiti focus inviting everyone to continue praying for relief efforts in Haiti, for strength and peace for our brothers and sisters who have suffered.

I was wondering if you could help us spread our message and prayer initiative through your blog and networks. Our focus is on prayer, and together we are encouraging more people to encounter a deeper relationship with Jesus through prayer.

Father, hear our prayer for the people of Haiti and for this initiative of charity and love by these good people. We ask this through Jesus Christ, your Son. Mother, Mary, assist these people by your might prayers of intercession.