Prayer Requests

A reader writes:

I’m sorry to have to rely on your and your reader’s again Mark but I’m currently in dire straights.

I had hoped that one day I might be a Priest and/or Religious but I’ve been told by more than one vocation director that the chances of even entering the postulency or becoming a 1st year seminarian are practically nil due to the fact that my dad left my mother 11 years ago. I’m struggling with rage against the bigots that seem to make up the majority of vocation directors and this is spilling over to being angry with God who doesn’t seem to care about me even though he was the one who first made me want to be a Priest.

Added to that I still haven’t managed to find a job and am despairing of ever finding employment, I don’t know what I have to do as I’ve done pretty much everything (unpaid internships, selling myself at interivews) that the ‘experts’ advise me to do.

Because of all the unanswered prayers I’ve made, all the Masses, offerd, all the Rosaries and hours of the Office which seem to have had no effect I’m currently having serious trust issues with God.

PS: Can you please ask your readers not to make comments along the lines of “Trust in God” or “carry your cross” whilst I’m sure their intentions are good but it does sound VERY sanctomonius coming from people with picture perfect lives.

Father, hear my reader’s prayer for guidance and work. Help him to find his vocation. In particular, since anger is the issue right now, help him to boldly bring his anger to you as the psalmists did. In your time and your way, meet him in an unmistakable way through your Son Jesus Christ and give him the assurance of your love that is, at present, hidden for his own good. Christ crucified, come along side him in the silence and give him the strength to endure till victory. Mother Mary and Solanus Casey, pray for him. We ask all this through Christ our Lord.

Another reader writes on behalf of his wife:

Since her back injury last October it has been a constant struggle against moderate to severe pain and sleep deprivation. Daytime is usually much better than the nights — sometimes almost normal, other than exhaustion. Last nite we went to the emergency room again. Their strongest narcotic pain killer just took the edge off, lowering severe pain to moderate. Prognosis is still nothing permanent, though it is a “complex case” as one specialist put it. It took some trial end error to find specialists who seem competent, but I think we are there now. So I know there isn’t much anyone can do other than pray and the occasional note or phone call; but those things are hugely important and very much appreciated.

Father, send your swift healing to this woman so that she might know peace and serve you in love. Mother Mary and Fulton Sheen pray for her that she be completely healed to the glory of God. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.