Let us pray

Intentions to keep in your own hearts and prayers:

-All those seeking comfort and peace in their lives
-For the tweens, teens, and young adults facing challenges against their chasity and purity
-Those who are unjustly accused or spoken of through gossip and harsh words
-All those who are ill in the community ranging from colds to more severe cancers and diseases
-Those will be adventuring out this Halloween weekend, that they may make good choices in their actions and words
-Those of us who get angry over things, that God may give us the graces to move beyond our anger and strive towards good
-Those planning and going on service trips as well as retreats and conferences, may they be enlightened and have God's love surround them
-For all those who feel stretched thin and are needing graces from God to keep on going

Thank you for praying!!

Prayers for Awakening

Today is the day for WashU's Awakening and Growth retreats. Let us pray that each person going on these retreats is enlightened and is encouraged to continue to pursue their faith.

Also, a special prayer for my University (Texas A&M) as they host Bush Sr. and Obama discussing service. That they have safe travels, a safe and friendly stay, and that people make wise decisions to not deface integrity.

St. Jude, pray for us

Oh glorious apostle St. Jude, faithful servant and friend of Jesus, the name of the traitor who delivered thy beloved Master into the hands of His enemies has caused thee to be forgotten by many, but the Church honors and invokes thee universally as the patron of hopeless cases--of things despaired of. Pray for me who am so miserable; make use, I implore thee, of that particular privilege accorded thee of bringing visible and speedy help where help is almost despaired of. Come to my assistance in this great need, that I may receive the consolations and succor of heaven in all my necessities, tribulations and sufferings, particularly (mention your request), and that I may bless God with thee and all the elect throughout eternity. I promise thee, O blessed St. Jude, to be ever mindful of this great favor, and I will never cease to honor thee as my special and powerful patron, and to do all in my power to encourage devotion to thee.

We lift up the prayers for all those who are missionaries in the world that God may bless them in all their joys and sufferings. We lift up all those who are suffering in body, mind and spirit. We lift up in prayer those working and planning Awakening retreats across the nation. We lift up all those broken and torn families. We lift up in prayer in thanksgiving all the opportunities God has given us. We lift up all those out in the cold tonight.

Amen

Lord, teach us to pray

Tonight, we lift up all these intentions:

• For a community member's father who just had triple bi-pass surgery
• For a friend's grandparents that their health will improve
  
• For all those planning Awakening retreats across the nation
• For a successful Newman Gala last night and in thanksgiving for all those who dedicated their time and talent for the CSC
• Those stranded in the cold because they have no home to go to
• Students as they continue to persevere through tests, papers, quizzes, etc

Thanks for praying with me tonight!

Learning to pray? (Part 2)

A few weeks ago I started a post about learning to pray and how to start. The next step is starting a conversation with God. God wants to know what is going on in your life. He wants to know your joys and sorrows.

You may think, "Why do I need to share if God knows everything anyway?" Fair enough question. Think of a really great relationship you have. What did you have to do to have it be that way? I am sure you shared experiences, stories, and what was going on in your life. Similarly, God wants a great relationship with us. He wants to be invited into the experiences we have, He wants to hear your stories, and He wants to know what is going on in your life.

So, today I invite you to share with God what is going on whether it be as simple as "God, I am really busy with classes, homework, and papers I am feeling stressed out." or "God, I am really joyful today because I found something I had been looking for since September."

These are some intentions that you can also lift up in prayer.

• For Matt C. who is having surgery on Wednesday morning
• For all those who have been affected with diseases of body, mind, and spirit
• Students as they continue to persevere through the semester in their tests, papers, projects, homework, studying, reading, quizzes, and other classwork
• All those facing destruction of their homes from natural disasters that God may be with them in their distress and sorrow
• All those planning Awakenings across the country as well as those who will attend; that their hearts may be set on God and faith increased by this experience

Thank you for joining me in prayer today!