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Evania
Guest
What is your favorite novena? Has God responded to your prayer request through it?
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the_phoenix
Guest
From November, 2010 through about the middle of February, 2011 I was working as a contractor on a temporary job assignment. Thing is, I had been told right before Christmas that about a week after Christmas it was likely I would no longer be needed, since my project was due the first of the year, and then there was just minor clean-up work.
So on the first of the year, January 1, 2011, I began a 54-day Rosary Novena for employment. And guess what? One more Rosary, one more day of employment. One more Rosary, one more day of employment. Every day I said a Rosary, I was blessed with another day of work. … Finally on the 54th day, came the end of that job assignment, which I finished successfully and came away with a good reference.
Meanwhile, as my old job was ending, a new employer wanted to hire me for a part-time position. It seemed pretty risky at the time, but felt like the right direction to go based on the timing of the Novena prayers. The experience I gained there helped position me for the full-time job I now currently have, and I made some good friends while working part time.
So I would say, be open to God’s Will … and while you’re praying for your novena intention, you should add that you’re open to, and then actually BE open to, God’s Will if His answer is different from what you were expecting.
And also, it’s not all a picnic even when your prayers get answered. I should point out that I was really sick with possibly either bronchitis or walking pneumonia while I had the contract job and the temp agency had told me I was not allowed to take any sick time, so I had to work while really sick for weeks. As for the part-time job … well, let’s just say many things about it were rather unusual and the money wasn’t what I was used to … but I knew it was exactly where God … and Mary … wanted me to be. It was all just too coincidental, and I was very grateful. So prayers do get answered, but that won’t automatically mean things will be what you might expect.
So on the first of the year, January 1, 2011, I began a 54-day Rosary Novena for employment. And guess what? One more Rosary, one more day of employment. One more Rosary, one more day of employment. Every day I said a Rosary, I was blessed with another day of work. … Finally on the 54th day, came the end of that job assignment, which I finished successfully and came away with a good reference.
Meanwhile, as my old job was ending, a new employer wanted to hire me for a part-time position. It seemed pretty risky at the time, but felt like the right direction to go based on the timing of the Novena prayers. The experience I gained there helped position me for the full-time job I now currently have, and I made some good friends while working part time.
So I would say, be open to God’s Will … and while you’re praying for your novena intention, you should add that you’re open to, and then actually BE open to, God’s Will if His answer is different from what you were expecting.
And also, it’s not all a picnic even when your prayers get answered. I should point out that I was really sick with possibly either bronchitis or walking pneumonia while I had the contract job and the temp agency had told me I was not allowed to take any sick time, so I had to work while really sick for weeks. As for the part-time job … well, let’s just say many things about it were rather unusual and the money wasn’t what I was used to … but I knew it was exactly where God … and Mary … wanted me to be. It was all just too coincidental, and I was very grateful. So prayers do get answered, but that won’t automatically mean things will be what you might expect.
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Evania
Guest
Thanks for sharing your story and the advice. I think it’s so neat that you had another day of employment for each rosary you prayed. It’s almost as if God was saying, “Trust me, I will direct your steps.” I think I’ll pray that novena. I love the rosary!
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fin
Guest
I have prayed a lot of novenas over the years. This year, I got to pray the Undoer of Knots and St. Joseph Holy Cloak novena for the first time and have prayed them several times afterwards.
The Holy Cloak novena prayers are longer than the usual novenas. It is prayed for 30 consecutive days. Years ago I felt drawn to pray this but I didn’t know how at that time. Later on I found a site that was pretty clear. All the prayers were said for each of the 30 days.
catholictradition.org/Joseph/joseph28.htm
In this novena as you can see from the text, there is no indication of the person mentioning the intention (at least not out loud). It’s because of the knowledge that God know what you need even before you ask for it.
The Holy Cloak novena prayers are longer than the usual novenas. It is prayed for 30 consecutive days. Years ago I felt drawn to pray this but I didn’t know how at that time. Later on I found a site that was pretty clear. All the prayers were said for each of the 30 days.
catholictradition.org/Joseph/joseph28.htm
In this novena as you can see from the text, there is no indication of the person mentioning the intention (at least not out loud). It’s because of the knowledge that God know what you need even before you ask for it.
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Evania
Guest
Thanks for the suggestions. I have heard that the Mary Undoer of Knots Novena is a powerful one. I’m not familiar with the St. Joseph one. I’ll definitely check it out!
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Pete44
Guest
I am currently praying a Novena to St. Jude, the patron of lost causes. I feel he has helped me. Sometimes it is difficult to find clearity in prayer as I am continually distracted by anxiety and fear. I try to remain faithful, optomistic and obedient. Praying the rosary often times gives me strength and assistance along the way.
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Evania
Guest
I hear ya, Pete. I suffer from anxiety as well. I’ll pray for you, and you pray for me
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ccmcmg
Guest
The Novena to the Holy Spirit at Pentecost was amazing for me. Shortly after completing it, the Lord put me in places in order to spread His Word and Love, and gave me Graces and Answers that I would have had no knowledge or ability to share had it not been for His Infinite Grace.
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