These days, I find myself wanting assurance that God hears me and will answer my prayers. My pride insists that I need more than a word or two to know that God will show up. My faith is strong sometimes but most of the time not really. I keep waiting for God to show up when things are most difficult, but it seems not always clear when that will happen.
It would be so nice to just believe without a doubt that God will heal me and all whom I pray for just by a single word—to have enough faith that all I need to say, “I let go Lord. Please come heal me.”
AMEN!
Vivian your words give me strength to keep my faith strong. I say prayers everyday and I mean everyday out of fear that if I don't say them God will forget about me. I need to have the faith he is there no matter what. I ask for some extra prayers for my friend Laura that was attacked by the donkey. One of the 5 bites was so deep into her muscle is got infected and she was in the hospital for four days and still her fingers are numb. Pray she heals and doesn't lose use of her arm or hands. Blessings to all the LFF, especially those with extra needs these days. May God use us to spread his love through all the world.
Stormi I know it's late but I will pray for you and Laura right now Ken
Excellent devotion, Vivian. I love saying those similar words from Matthew just prior to going up to receive Communion ✝️
Vivian thank you for your contributions to this site I always look for something to increase my faith. Since I am so smart and powerful I think I can fix everything. I really to know better . When in doubt I turn to janes humility, prayer. Found on September 22 posting. Living faith family good news Sal surgery was successful he's home pray for his recovery. Ken
Reposting for my friend Ken! Litany of Humility O Jesus! Meek and humble of heart, Hear me. From the desire of being esteemed, Deliver me, O Jesus. From the desire of being loved, From the desire of being extolled, From the desire of being honored, From the desire of being praised, From the desire of being preferred to others, From the desire of being consulted, “ From the desire of being approved, From the fear of being humiliated, From the fear of being despised, “ From the fear of suffering rebukes, From the fear of being calumniated, From the fear of being forgotten, “ From the fear of being ridiculed, From the fear of being wronged, “ From the fear of being suspected, That others may be loved more than I, Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it. That others may be esteemed more than I, Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it. That, in the opinion of the world, others may increase and I may decrease, Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it. That others may be chosen and I set aside, Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it. That others may be praised and I unnoticed, Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it. That others may be preferred to me in everything, Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it. That others may become holier than I, provided that I may become as holy as I should, Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it. Amen.
Yeah!
Good news for Sal, Ken. Including him and Vivian's friend, Laura in my prayers tonight. Hope you're enjoying your new 'ride' too.
I mentioned In Conversation with God the other day. If you’ve never journaled I’d encourage you—even if, like me, it is scribbles in the margins. When I was in a better place where my mind was not filled with immediate physical needs I was gifted with this message years ago, written in the margins, regarding today’s reading on the Centurion: The role of Centurion is to exercise both authority and restraint—authority when needed while retaining ourselves from ‘constantly’ exercising authority. The Centurion believed Jesus could and would heal even without being physically present. Today Jesus is not physically present but still can command through others to heal and do. As my family and children are an extension of me—I tell them do and they do, I tell them go and they go, so am I an extension of Christ. Will I hear, will I listen, will I do and go? I am both subject and command. I am but one of the ranks. I must accept both the responsibility of commanding in Jesus’ name and also of being commanded in Jesus’ name—to know both and accept both is truly what it means to follow Christ. Blessings to all and prayers for a revealing and deeply felt beginning to the advent season.
Dear Lord please hear my prayers, I don’t think I’m a bad person but I probably could do better. Can’t we all ! Thank you from my heart.
I'm with you on that, AD!
Thank you, Vivian. Your words echo my own. I am glad I am not the only one. Heal me, Lord. Amen
Peace be with you. Amen!
'Lord Jesus, you feed us daily with your life-giving word and you sustain us on our journey to our true homeland with you and the Father in heaven. May I never lose hope in your promises nor lag in zeal for your kingdom of righteousness and peace." Amen
I think the most faith-filled thing to say is, "Even if You don't heal me, You are stilll my God!" The truth is God is God whetehr He answers my prayer or not!!! *** Daniel 3:16-18, "Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to him. They said, “King Nebuchadnezzar, we don’t need to talk about this anymore. We might be thrown into the blazing furnace. But the God we serve is able to bring us out of it alive. He will save us from your power. But we want you to know this, Your Majesty. Even if we knew that our God wouldn’t save us, we still wouldn’t serve your gods. We wouldn’t worship the gold statue you set up.” *** Isaiah 55:8-9, "My thoughts are not like your thoughts. And your ways are not like My ways,” announces the Lord. “The heavens are higher than the earth. And My ways are higher than your ways. My thoughts are higher than your thoughts!" *** Paul's testimony in 2 Corinthians 12:7-10, "God has shown me (Paul) amazing and wonderful things. People should not think more of me because of it. So I wouldn’t become proud of myself, I was given a problem. This problem caused pain in my body. It is a messenger from Satan to make me suffer. Three times I begged the Lord to take it away from me. But He said to me, “My grace is all you need. My power is strongest when you are weak.” So I am very happy to brag about how weak I am. Then Christ’s power can rest on me. Because of how I suffered for Christ, I’m glad that I am weak. I am glad in hard times. I am glad when people say mean things about me. I am glad when things are difficult. And I am glad when people make me suffer. When I am weak, I am strong!" ******* God didn't answer Jesus' prayers 3 times in the garden of Gethsemane in Matthew 26:36-36, Mark 14:32-42 and Luke 22:40-46! *** The Jesus Way by Phil Wickham https://youtu.be/ARSGgC9iQb0?si=UVtXhsStOSpixEXj *** Romans 8:28-30, "We know that in all (good, bad, ugly and unanswered prayers) things God works for the good of those who love Him. He appointed them to be saved in keeping with His purpose. God planned that those He had chosen would become like His Son. In that way, Christ will be the first and most honored among many brothers and sisters. And those God has planned for, He has also appointed to be saved. Those He has appointed, He has made right with Himself. To those He has made right with Himself, He has given His glory!" *** All honor and glory are Yours, Lord God, forever and ever! By Your grace and for Your glory! Amen!!!
Vivian, thank you for this reflection today. How true this is… “My faith is strong sometimes but most of the time not really.” How I love to think I am a person of faith, but when I need it most, it is a thin thread ready to break. I love the surrender novena and pray it most days. It helps me surrender to God’s will for me. Ken, lifting Dennis, Shelly, Christine, Stephanie, Garrett, Jane and her mum, Karen, Susan and Juan, as well as all our children who need help finding Jesus in their lives. Deal Lord, help us prepare the way for Him. Amen.
Lord please hear our prayers and bring your light to all those experiencing natural disasters, as well as those in Haiti, the Middle East, Ukraine, Russia, Darfur, the Sudan, in addition to all those suffering around the world - also for their strength, courage and resilience to continue walking in faith. Send them your light. Father in Heaven, have mercy on us and on the whole world! You sent Your Son, the Prince of Peace, for the salvation of the world. We pray that the Peace of Christ will reign in Haiti, the Middle East, Ukraine, Russia, Darfur and Sudan. Please protect and send aid to those in need and all who are at-risk. We pray for peace and rebuilding– we who are working towards it and for all those who are suffering or in danger from conflicts. We pray for an end to violence and war – we pray for wisdom for all leaders who have a hand in this. Lord God please help those in most need of thy mercy. Amen
Living Faith provides brief daily Catholic devotions based on one of the Mass readings of the day. Published new each quarter, these reflections are written by women and men from a variety of backgrounds - lay people as well as clergy and religious. Learn more.
Receive a free reflection for Sundays every week via email
About Living Faith Living Faith Foundation Ambassador Privacy Policy F.A.Q. Contact Us
© 2025 Creative Communications for the Parish, a division of Bayard, lnc. All Rights Reserved.
Meditative prayers have helped me to feel so much closer to God & to the Virgin Mary. Advent is so wonderful, especially meditating on the 3 comings of Christ: His historical birth we will celebrate on the 25th, His presence in the present time, & His second coming at the end of time!