By Loci B. Lenar

In order for prayer to be effective, it's very important to pray from the heart and to pray daily. It's also equally important to ask God to forgive you of all sins. Reconcile with God; ask him to cleanse your heart and soul by washing away all the sins through the precious blood of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Forgiving others is also necessary in order to remove barriers that may impede our prayers from being answered. Ask our Lord to heal the emotional wounds caused by others which might still linger in your heart and memory. Forgiveness is important - free yourself of anger and bitterness by releasing it to God's care. Our Lord will heal the emotional scars and set you free to move forward.  Through the power of the Holy Spirit, you will experience God's peace as a consolation.

It's also very important to give thanks to our Lord while praying for his assistance. Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18. Trust God and wait for his timing to answer your prayers.

Attending weekly worship services at church or Holy Mass will open the windows of heaven for God to pour out His graces and blessings. Please also consider the Sacrament of Reconciliation in order to receive absolution of all your sins. Do not be afraid, pray beforehand for God's peace, then visit your local church pastor or priest and confess your sins with a contrite heart.  I sought the Lord, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears. (Psalm 34:4)

Consider receiving communion or the Holy Eucharist. When we take a leap of faith, God will embrace us with His merciful love and also bless us with His divine gifts.

Please consider using daily Devotional Prayers to obtain God's help which are posted on this website. Our heavenly Father will answer your prayers through Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and through intercessory prayers to the Blessed Mother and Holy Saints. 

If you or someone else has a health issue, the bible speaks of God working through physicians. Although God can heal us with a miracle, he does work through modern medicine as well.

Scripture states the following in Sirach 38:1-15; "Honor physicians for their services, for the Lord created them; for their gift of healing comes from the Most High, and they are rewarded by the king. The skill of physicians makes them distinguished, and in the presence of the great they are admired. The Lord created medicines out of the earth, and the sensible will not despise them. Was not water made sweet with a tree in order that its power might be known? And he gave skill to human beings that he might be glorified in his marvelous works. By them the physician heals and takes away pain; the pharmacist makes a mixture from them. God's works will never be finished; and from him health spreads over all the earth. My child, when you are ill, do not delay, but pray to the Lord, and he will heal you. Give up your faults and direct your hands rightly, and cleanse your heart from all sin. Offer a sweet-smelling sacrifice, and a memorial portion of choice flour, and pour oil on your offering, as much as you can afford. Then give the physician his place, for the Lord created him; do not let him leave you, for you need him. There may come a time when recovery lies in the hands of physicians, for they too pray to the Lord that he grant them success in diagnosis and in healing, for the sake of preserving life. He who sins against his Maker, will be defiant toward the physician."
 
If you're struggling with finances, put your faith and trust into God's hand. God will bless your finances through tithing and almsgiving. By giving to your church, you are helping to spread the good news of the gospels to the community, especially with helping those who are in need of God's love and mercy.  

What does scripture say about giving to God's work?

"Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it."  (Malachi 3:10)

Jesus said,  "Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”  (Luke 6:38)

Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. (1 Peter 5:7)

And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:19)

Trust and believe God's word by reciting these scriptures daily and take a leap of faith through tithing and almsgiving. Open your heart to God's way, and Our Lord will bless and answer your prayers abundantly!  

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. (Jeremiah 29:11)

Whatever difficulty you may be encountering, let God take it over. Let Our Lord take control in order to help resolve the problem. Let the Holy Spirit guide you through daily prayer.  

Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall. (Psalm 55:22)

Regarding prayer, Jesus said, "Again I say to you, that if two of you agree on earth about anything that they may ask, it shall be done for them by My Father who is in heaven. For where two or three have gathered together in My name, I am there in their midst." - Matthew 18:19-20

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. - Philippians 4:6-7

Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. (Hebrews 4:16)

I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart; I will tell of all your wonderful deeds. - Psalm 9:1

Please feel free to submit your prayer request to our website at the following link: Prayer Requests. You may also leave a praise report or your testimony on how God has answered your prayers. Be assured that everyone is prayed for daily. Please take a moment to say a prayer for those who have left a request as well. Your prayer support is very important. Thank you very much for taking the time to pray for others.

Note: With the help and support of Father Richard Tartaglia, prayer requests will also be prayed for every Monday morning during Holy Hour adoration at Saint Mary's Church. Trust in God, He hears your petitions!

Regardless of your religious denomination, please feel free to send your prayer request by email as well. Your email address will remain confidential. Unless you request otherwise, all prayer requests will be shared with Father Richard Tartaglia for his prayer support as well. Fr. Richard is a pastor at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Denville, New Jersey. I visit Fr. Richard on a regular bases for spiritual guidance. As a result, I will print and hand deliver all emails requesting prayer to Fr. Richard.

If you or someone is in need of prayer, please submit your request directly on our website at the following link: Prayer Requests or send by email to [email protected]

Photograph copyright Loci B. Lenar.