"Because He turned His ear to me, I will call on Him as long as I live."  Psalm 116:2

"Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God.  Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus."  Philippians 4:6-7

“All the works of the Lord are good, and He will supply every need in its time.” Sirach 39:33

"God speaks in the silence of the heart.  Listening is the beginning of prayer."  Mother Teresa

"We have to pray with our eyes on God, not on the difficulties."  Oswald Chambers

In the words of Alfred Tennyson, "More things are wrought by prayer than this world dreams of."   Quiet time with God spent thanking Him, seeking His will, listening . . . is a gift that you give yourself!   Never doubt the power of prayer!

As parishioners of St. Christopher, we are a caring faith community.  You are invited to contribute your intentions so that we may all join in lifting them in prayer, for we know His promise:  "Where two or three are gathered together in My name, there am I in the midst of them."  Matthew 18:20  May our relationship with God be strengthened, and may our capacity to love and be loved increase as our hearts reach out to each other. 

Lord, thank You for the unique gifts of every child as they transition into a new school year.  Fill each student with fresh enthusiasm and a heart that is excited to learn and grow.  Cover them with Your enuring love, give them confidence and grace, and equip them with the ability to persevere through trials.  
Bless their teachers with wisdom, understanding, and a heart to serve, as they embark on the journey together!  Amen.

1/21:  Please pray for the extended Lousteau family, who are grieving the loss of their son and brother, Stephen, and his beautiful wife and two daughters, who passed away in a house fire on Wednesday, January 19.  May God minister to each of their hearts, be ever present, console  them, and carry them through this heartrending time.  In Jesus' most holy name.  Amen.

1/19:  Please pray for my physician, for a treatment to bring his recently diagnosed cancer into remission so that he may continue to help with the health and healing of others.   Please pray for healing and the spiritual comfort that only our Lord Jesus Christ can provide.  In Jesus' name.  Amen.

12/25:  Please pray  for my two dogs, that they may be adopted by a good owner who will love them and take good care of them.

12/1:  Lord, we lift up in prayer Ray B., for a successful surgery;  Fr. Miles, for healing from a fall; and Tony Caminita, for a special intention.  In Jesus' name.  Amen.

11/3:  Please pray for Brian Lousteau and his family.  Pray for healing of Brian.
Lord, please minister to this beautiful family, who have such love for each other and for You; let them keenly feel Your presence and their hearts be uplifted by Your love.  Lead the work of Brian’s doctors and nurses.  May the words of the hymn, “Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine,” be their comfort.  Jesus, we trust in You, and in Your holy name, we pray.  Amen.

6/11:  Please pray for my professor and his beautiful wife, who has cancer and is hospitalized.  They were high school sweethearts and have been married for 41 years.  Pray for complete healing and much time ahead together.  May they feel His presence as He walks beside them throughout each day.  In Jesus' name.  Amen.

12/28:  Please pray for relationship of a very special couple.  Let their love grow each day in an unshakeable union that will shine Your light on all who know them, eliminating selfishness and misunderstanding from their relationship.  May they support each other and lay all differences aside and quiet the ego that wants to make the other wrong in any way.  Please help this husband to be loyal to his wife and not be tempted to turn away from all the trials and tribulations that lie ahead.  May they share life's challenges together as a strong, unified, and loving couple.  May they feel the love and support of all who surround them.  Please continue to protect them from negative influences and renew their love for each other every day.  May the Lord bless their relationship, and may they always keep Him a part of their love for each other.  Amen.

6/9:  Please pray for Aretta, who has been under spiritual attack for the past three years.  Pray the prayer of
St. Patrick for her and us all: 
            Christ be with me, Christ within me,
            Christ behind me and before me. 
            Christ beside me, Christ to win me,
            Christ to comfort and restore. 

            Christ beneath me, Christ above me,
            Christ in hearts of all who know me. 
            Christ in mouth of friend and stranger,
            Christ in quiet and in roar.

10/23:  Please pray for family healing and unity, for all who are separated to be reunited, for all who are at odds to find common ground and  forgiveness, with God's grace. 

My Jesus, 
I believe that You are present in the Most Holy Sacrament. 
I love You above all things, 
and I desire to receive You into my soul. 
Since I cannot at this moment receive You sacramentally, 
come at least spiritually into my heart.
I embrace You as if You were already there and unite myself wholly to You.
Never permit me to be separated from You.
Amen.

Loving and faithful God, the coronavirus reminds us that we have no power and we are dependent on You.  We place ourselves in Your loving hands.  Give eternal rest to all who have died from the virus.  Place Your healing hand on those who are ill, and give Your protection to us in this time of fear and uncertainty.  Calm our fears and help us to trust You as our faithful God.  Enlighten our government and church leaders as they are faced with important decisions.  Give blessing to those who work in the healthcare professions and protect them.  We ask this through Christ, our Lord.  Amen. 
Our Lady of Prompt Succor, hasten to help us. 
Blessed Francis Seelos, pray for us.

For the LORD loves justice
and does not abandon the faithful.
God’s teaching is in his heart; his steps do not falter.
The salvation of the righteous is from the LORD, 
their refuge in a time of distress.
The LORD helps and rescues them,
rescues and saves them from the wicked,
because they take refuge in him.

You who dwell in the shelter of the Most High,
who abide in the shade of the Almighty,
say to the LORD, “My refuge and fortress,
my God in whom I trust.”
Surely He will rescue you from the fowler’s snare,
from the destroying plague.
He will cover you with His feathers,
and under His wings you may take refuge;
His faithfulness is a protecting shield.
You shall not fear the terror of the night
nor the arrow that flies by day,
nor the pestilence that roams in darkness,
nor the plague that ravages at noon.
Because you have the LORD for your refuge
and have made the Most High your stronghold,
no evil shall befall you,
no affliction come near your tent.
For He commands His angels concerning you
to guard you in all your ways.
They will lift you up in their hands,
lest you strike your foot against a stone.

Because he clings to me, I will deliver him;
because he knows My name, I will set him on high.
He will call upon Me, and I will answer;
I will be with him in distress;
I will deliver him and give him honor.
With length of days, I will satisfy him,
and fill him with My saving power.

O Lord, I thank You for the gift of my children.  I know that they are not really mine, but Yours, given to me in trust.  Protect them, Lord, I pray, from all that is evil.  Help them to see the truth and beauty of all that is good.  Help them to see it first of all in me, and in my spouse, in the way we live.  Guide them each to the vocation You have chosen for them.  Lord, by Your grace, may I be a good parent to these children.  Help me to fulfill my mission, to "train them in the way that they should go" (Proverbs 22:6).  Help me to
reflect the wisdom and mercy that is Yours as heavenly Father.  But may I also be unafraid to challenge and discipline them when necessary.  Above all, may my children never doubt how precious they are to me, how deeply they are loved.  Amen.