“What is Something I Can Pray For—For You?”

by David Lins  |  10/10/2021  |  (Being) Catholic Matters

During my eighteen years running youth ministry programs and six years running faith formation for the entire parish, I’ve encountered numerous people who refuse to pray for themselves.

I’ll ask, “What is something I can pray for—for you?” They respond with something about peace in the Middle East. I’ll say, “That’s a great and worthy intention and I’ll pray for it, but what is something I can pray for—for you?”
They respond with something about the health of a parent, spouse, sibling, or pet.

I’ll promise to pray for them before once again saying, “And what can I pray for—for YOU?”

Then, one of two things happen. They finally come up with something (like “trust in God while my husband goes through chemo again” or “financial relief from those medical bills” or even something as honest as “patience with God because He doesn’t seem to be answering my prayers.”

...and I smile and say it will be my honor to pray for them.

You see, God loves it when we pray for worldly issues like peace, election results, and an end to a pandemic. He also loves it when we pray for loved ones, as well as our enemies. But He also loves it when we pray for our own needs.

It isn’t selfish. Quite the opposite. It shows humility by exposing our need for God. As I tell my daughter, “it is a good thing to ask for help when you need it.”

This weekend’s First Reading begins, “I prayed, and prudence was given me; I pleaded, and the spirit of wisdom came to me.” (Wis. 7:7-11)

Then, the Responsorial Psalm (Psalm 90) says, “Fill us with your love, O Lord, and we will sing for joy!”

Our God is a good and loving Father and He wants to give us what we need to survive this crazy world with our Faith intact. Ask. ...and never stop asking for good gifts.

Questions? Comments? Reach David at dlins@oloj.org.