Thank you ALL for your prayers. I have many generous friends and interecessory pray-ers. I am feeling lost in this world. I feel as though nothing will change in my family, health, etc. I’m wondering if it is the work of the evil one. I use many sacramentals and wear them, also. I do not see many results. I’m beginning to feel as though God is far, far away. Yet, I know in my heart He isn’t. But that doesn’t help. I have little desire to carry out the day’s duties. St. Jude, pray for me.
Judi:
I’m sorry that I haven’t noticed this thread - It’s probably because I’ve been negligent in visiting Catholic Answers.
Please accept this as a reply to this post and some others from this time:
*O LORD, thou hast searched me and known me!
Thou knowest when I sit down and when I rise up;
Thou discernest my thoughts from afar.
Thou searchest out my path and my lying down,
and art acquainted with all my ways.
Even before a word is on my tongue,
lo, O LORD, Thou knowest it altogether.
Thou dost beset me behind and before,
and layest Thy hand upon me.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;
it is high, I cannot attain it.
Whither shall I go from Thy Spirit?
Or whither shall I flee from Thy presence?
If I ascend to heaven, Thou art there!
If I make my bed in Sheol, Thou art there!
If I take the wings of the morning
and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,
even there Thy hand shall lead me,
and Thy right hand shall hold me.
If I say, “Let only darkness cover me,
and the light about me be night,”
even the darkness is not dark to Thee,
the night is bright as the day;
for darkness is as light with Thee.
For thou didst form my inward parts,
Thou didst knit me together in my mother’s womb.
I praise Thee, for thou art fearful and wonderful.
Wonderful are thy works!
Thou knowest me right well;
My frame was not hidden from Thee,
when I was being made in secret,
intricately wrought in the depths of the earth.
Thy eyes beheld my unformed substance;
In Thy book were written, every one of them,
the days that were formed for me,
when as yet there was none of them.
How precious to me are Thy thoughts, O God!
How vast is the sum of them!
If I would count them, they are more than the sand.
When I awake, I am still with Thee.
Search me, O God, and know my heart!
Try me and know my thoughts!
And see if there be any wicked way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting!
Psalm 139:1-18, 23-24 RSV*
Sometimes pain and suffering makes it hard to recognize that God is right there by our sides. That’s probably why one of the Saints said the person who suffered and offered up his or her suffering prayed twice.
*The LORD bless you and keep you:
The LORD make his face to shine upon you,
and be gracious to you:
The LORD lift up his countenance upon you,
and give you peace.
Numbers 6:24-26 RSV
*
Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in you that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
Hebrews 13:20-21 RSV
*
Guide us waking, O LORD,
And Guard us sleeping,
So that awake, we may watch with Christ,
And, Asleep, we may rest in peace.
**From the Order of Compline ***(Usually Chanted and sounds wonderful)
I hope this helps.
Your Brother and Servant in Christ, Michael
