Often, young Catholics encounter struggles in their day-to-day lives. These struggles can range from arguing with parents to doing poorly in school, or to having difficulty finding full-time or part-time jobs. Whatever the struggle may be, young Catholics have to realize that they are not alone. It is usually in difficult times that God is calling us to seek His guidance and also to recognize our own vulnerability. However, God never gives us challenges we are incapable of handling, or at least learning from.
In my times of struggle, I’ve consulted these four prayers:
“Jesus meek and humble of heart, make my heart like unto thine.”
I was given this prayer by a priest during reconciliation. As a stubborn person, my ideas often clash with others and it becomes an argument of who is right rather than what is right. This short, beautiful prayer is a reminder to listen to others first, and always seek to understand before wanting to be understood. Being humble does not mean allowing others to walk all over you. Rather, it means allowing others to form opinions and state it, before stating your own opinion in a reasonable manner. The prayer also calls us to look to Jesus as an example of an ethical person who was able to stand His ground in a humble way.
“Tony, Tony turn around. Something’s lost and must be found.”
This prayer is for those who struggle with losing things (keys, books, etc.). St. Anthony is often called upon to intercede with retrieving lost items. I have probably used this prayer more times than I can count. St. Anthony has certainly helped me find many lost items.
“Create in me a clean heart, O God.”
Originally, this prayer is a line from Psalm 51. The background of the psalm is that David committed the sin of adultery with Bathsheba and was seeking God’s forgiveness. This prayer can be recited when a person harbours hatred, anger, or resentment in his or her heart towards another person. But in relation to the background of the psalm, this prayer can also be recited when a person is struggling with feelings of intense lust for another person, or the beginnings of lust. Thoughts can lead to actions, and impure thoughts can lead to fornication, so being cognisant of one’s own feelings and asking God for help in keeping one’s heart pure is a necessary precaution. This prayer can be useful for Catholics struggling with any kind of temptation.
“God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.” – Reinhold Niebuhr
The Serenity Prayer has been a favorite of mine since high school, and I find it relevant even today. Often, Catholics hold themselves back and find themselves stuck in the same bad habits and difficult circumstances. What paralyses us more than anything is change, and having to make a change in our lives can often seem like the hardest task. But what is truly liberating is having the courage to step outside of your comfort zone and making positive changes for yourself that will ultimately influence your life for the better.
What are some prayers that you turn to when you are struggling?
