**Prayer to St. Raphael **
St. Raphael, loving patron of those seeking a marriage partner, help me in this supreme decision of my life. Find for me as a helpmate in life the person whose character may reflect some of the traits of Jesus and Mary. May she be upright, loyal, pure, sincere and noble, so that with united efforts and with chaste and unselfish love we both may strive to perfect ourselves in soul and body, as well as the children it may please God to entrust to our care.
St. Raphael, angel of chaste courtship, bless our friendship and our love that sin may have no part in it. May our mutual love bind us so closely that our future home may ever be most like the home of the Holy Family of Nazareth. Offer your prayers to God for the both of us and obtain the blessing of God upon our marriage, as you were the herald of blessing for the marriage of Tobiah and Sarah.
St. Raphael, friend of the young, be my friend, for I shall always be yours. I desire ever to invoke you in my needs.
To your special care I entrust the decision I am to make as to my future wife. Direct me to the person with whom I can best cooperate in doing God’s Holy Will, with whom I can live in peace, love and harmony in this life, and attain to eternal joy in the next. Amen.
Prayer for Those Living Alone
Heavenly Father,
my true Provider,
in all my daily needs,
protect and guide me.
Spare me from fire and flood,
from thieves, fear and evil in any form.
If sickness or accident befall me,
send a messenger of love to attend me.
When I am feeling low,
lift up my heart.
I live alone dear Lord,
yet because I know
your presence is ever near,
I will have no fear.
Amen.
Prayer in Time of Loneliness
Dear Lord!
Make me remember,
when the world seems cold and dreary
and I know not where to turn for comfort,
that there is always one spot bright and cheerful,
the Sanctuary.
When I am in desolation of spirit,
when all who are dear to me have passed away
like summer flowers
and none are left to love me and care for me,
whisper to my troubled soul
that there is one Friend who dies not,
one who’s Love never changes
Jesus on the altar.
When sorrow thicken and crush me with their burden,
when I look in vain for comfort,
let me remember Your words:
“Come to Me,
all you who labor and are heavily burdened,
and I will refresh you.”
Amen.
