Power of Intercessory Prayers

Throughout my journey in motherhood, I have often asked faithful friends and family to pray for my specific intentions. Having a community of strong Catholic prayer warriors in my life has been an immense blessing and a source of deep comfort. It reminds me that we are not alone in this vocation of motherhood.

I am reminded of the Gospel story of the paralytic, whose friends were so determined to bring him to Jesus for healing that they went to extraordinary lengths – climbing onto the roof, opening it and lowering him down before Jesus. Their faith and persistence moved the heart of Jesus. We all need friends like that – friends who will carry us to Christ when we feel too weary to walk ourselves, who will pray when we struggle to find the words, who will bring our intentions before the Blessed Sacrament, at Holy Mass or offering a rosary when we cannot.

As Catholics, we are also blessed with friends in heaven. Over the past several years, as I have read the biographies of holy women saints, I have come to see them as spiritual companions –beautiful examples of faith and powerful intercessors. Saints like Saint Monica, Saint Rita of Cascia and Elizabeth Ann Seton – many of whom were mothers themselves – understand the hopes, fears and sacrifices that come with loving a child. And of course, we have our Blessed Mother Mary, who loves our children even more perfectly than we do and continually intercedes for them before her son.

What a consolation it is to know that we are surrounded by an army of friends – both here on earth and in heaven – who watch over us and our children. Through the power of intercessory prayer, we are united in Christ, strengthened in hope, and reminded that God’s grace is always at work, even in the hidden struggles of motherhood.