Many who observe Lent do so by abstaining and fasting. I too will honor this practice during Lent. But my heart called out for something more. As I thought and prayed about what to add to my Lent, God placed upon my heart to dedicate intentional prayer time for my readers. I often engage my readers in dialogue, whether we agree or not. For Lent, I’ll continue to do this, but I also want to pray for them, too.
So, this article (and the comments section) is dedicated to readers prayer requests. Anyone who submits a prayer request; I will pray for everyday during Lent. I also will add these intentions to my sacrifice during Mass on Sundays. If a request is too personal, know that I must personally approval all comments. Just indicate in your comment that you do not wish for the request made public and no one will see it.
Moreover, I ask anyone of faith to also pray for the public and private requests in the comments section. Thank you.
Some Asides
As an aside, my father recently visited the hospital with Covid. He is seventy-six, has congestive heart failure, CPOD, and diabetes. All these represent major comorbidities for anyone his age. Thankfully, his stay was short. I believe three factors contribute to this: excellent medical care, support from friend and family, and a multitude of people praying for him. Now, he reports his recovery at 90%. Praise God!
As a second aside, no comment meant to question prayer or mock those who pray will I approve. This is no place for such comments.
For my non-Christian readers, know that I will pray for you, too. Not for your conversion or “to see the light,” but that God makes Himself known to you in whatever way you need it.
Prayer of St. Benedict
Gracious and holy Father,
grant us the intellect to understand you,
reason to discern you, diligence to seek you,
wisdom to find you, a spirit to know you,
a heart to meditate upon you.
May our ears hear you, may our eyes behold you,
and may our tongues proclaim you.
Give us grace that our way of life may be pleasing to you,
that we may have the patience to wait for you
and the perseverance to look for you.
Grant us a perfect end–your holy presence,
a blessed resurrection and life everlasting.
We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love.
Where there is injury, pardon.
Where there is doubt, faith.
Where there is despair, hope.
Where there is darkness, light.
Where there is sadness, joy.
O Divine Master,
grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled, as to console;
to be understood, as to understand;
to be loved, as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive.
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
and it is in dying that we are born to Eternal Life.
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