Today, I write about the last of the Spiritual Works of Mercy. Next week I will continue to write about the Corporal Works of Mercy. We have to remember that the Spiritual Works of Mercy lead to living out the Corporal Works of Mercy.
PRAYING FOR THE LIVING AND THE DEAD
Prayer is one of the most powerful ways we can support others. Joining together in prayer for the living and the dead entrusts us all into God's care.
- Request a mass intention for a friend or family member who is going through a tough time
- Request a mass intention for a friend or family member who has [died]
- Keep your own book of prayer intentions, writing down the names of those who you are keeping in your prayers
- Ask a friend or family member if there is anything you can pray for them about
- Through prayer, entrust your cares and concerns for those around you to God
Excerpt of USCCB.org
Prayer is essential to our lives. It is as important as breathing, eating, drinking and sleeping. It is so essential for us to bring ourselves to God. It prepares us for eternal life. Praying for others helps them to be prepared for eternal life. It is not a guarantee of eternal life, we still have free will which allows us to choose God or not. God will never go against the free will of someone forcing them to have eternal life. So when we pray we want to do it with the will of God being included. What I mean is we want to discern how God is calling us to pray for others. This is not always the easiest of things to do because many times we come to prayer with how we believe the prayer should be answered. We are being called to pray with God’s will in mind. The question to ask is “God how do you want me to pray for this person?”
Fr. Thomas P. Galarneault