Torn About What to Pray For—May Have Found a Solution

[Kay_Cee]

I’ve often been torn between praying for more than one cause. I’m very concerned about relieving the pains of the Suffering Souls in Purgatory, but at the same time I have two siblings and some friends who have left the Church, and I’m very concerned about praying for their return. In addition, there are so many prayer requests here on CAF. When I prayed for those in Purgatory, I felt bad about not praying for those here on earth, and when I prayed for those here on earth, I felt bad about not praying for the Suffering Souls.

But I think I’ve found a way out of this dilemma.

Let’s say I have time in my day to pray just one rosary and I want to pray both for my brother who left the church and for a soul in Purgatory:

I pray the rosary for the expiation of a soul in Purgatory, with the request that, out of gratitude for a relief of suffering, this soul return the favor by praying that my brother return to the Church . . .

And, since a Suffering Soul has much more “time” (so to speak) for prayer than I do, he can pray far more than just the one rosary I have time for. . .

Which would mean more efficacious prayer than just one rosary for my brother, especially if that soul is delivered from his suffering into heaven, since “the fervent prayer of a righteous person is very powerful” (James 5:16) . . .

Which, in turn—and this is the best part—doubly consoles the Merciful Heart of Jesus by both bringing a Suffering Soul closer to espousal with Him in heaven and at the same time (I hope!) bringing a soul on earth closer to holiness.

What do you think? I can’t imagine a soul in Purgatory turning down the request, since in their state, they are totally unselfish. It seems to me that this way both causes are prayed for, since two persons would be praying.

 

[Mary_Estelle]

I am wondering if the soul in purgatory has the ability/means to pray. I don’t know the answer.

 

[AKDee]

Are we limited to only asking for a single intention when we pray the Rosary? I generally bring a laundry list of things. Is that inappropriate?

I do like your idea of asking the soul in purgatory to pray for an intention of yours. I know they can pray for us, they just can’t pray for themselves. I rarely ask them to pray for anything, however. Perhaps I should.

 

[Kay_Cee]

I’ve read a lot about Purgatory, and from what I’ve read, the souls there can indeed intercede for us.

 

[fred_conty]

I’ve often been torn between praying for more than one cause. I’m very concerned about relieving the pains of the Suffering Souls in Purgatory, but at the same time I have two siblings and some friends who have left the Church, and I’m very concerned about praying for their return. In addition, there are so many prayer requests here on CAF. When I prayed for those in Purgatory, I felt bad about not praying for those here on earth, and when I prayed for those here on earth, I felt bad about not praying for the Suffering Souls.

But I think I’ve found a way out of this dilemma.

Let’s say I have time in my day to pray just one rosary and I want to pray both for my brother who left the church and for a soul in Purgatory:

I pray the rosary for the expiation of a soul in Purgatory, with the request that, out of gratitude for a relief of suffering, this soul return the favor by praying that my brother return to the Church . . .

And, since a Suffering Soul has much more “time” (so to speak) for prayer than I do, he can pray far more than just the one rosary I have time for. . .

Which would mean more efficacious prayer than just one rosary for my brother, especially if that soul is delivered from his suffering into heaven, since “the fervent prayer of a righteous person is very powerful” (James 5:16) . . .

Which, in turn—and this is the best part—doubly consoles the Merciful Heart of Jesus by both bringing a Suffering Soul closer to espousal with Him in heaven and at the same time (I hope!) bringing a soul on earth closer to holiness.

What do you think? I can’t imagine a soul in Purgatory turning down the request, since in their state, they are totally unselfish. It seems to me that this way both causes are prayed for, since two persons would be praying.

The total consecration to Mary is a solution to this.

For when this is done, all prayer is given to Mary’s intentions. There is more to this to be understood than can be explained here. But in brief, once this is done, then Mary takes care of all of your prayer needs because you have dedicated your life to her in a special way. Then you no longer have this care on your shoulders. And who would know better than Mary what our prayers should be given to.

 

[Kay_Cee]

I’m aware of the total consecration to Mary and did consider doing that, but often people ask me to pray for a particular person or cause, and I’m unsure how to fulfill such requests if all my prayer is for Mary’s intentions instead of the intention I’m being asked to pray for.

However, if I don’t have a particular soul in Purgatory to pray for, I do place such prayers with the Blessed Virgin to distribute as she sees fit.

 

[fred_conty]

I’m aware of the total consecration to Mary and did consider doing that, but often people ask me to pray for a particular person or cause, and I’m unsure how to fulfill such requests if all my prayer is for Mary’s intentions instead of the intention I’m being asked to pray for.

However, if I don’t have a particular soul in Purgatory to pray for, I do place such prayers with the Blessed Virgin to distribute as she sees fit.

In the consecration to Mary, Mary will see to all you prayer needs. It is an act of charity to tell someone that you will remember them in prayer, and Mary will tend to this for it is a need from kindness.