A Prayer for Faith

Amelia's Christmas Novena - Day 3

St. Padre Pio once said, “In books we seek God, in prayer we find him.” He prayed almost constantly—the mass, the rosary, the Efficacious Novena to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

Many, many miraculous healings have been attributed to Padre Pio, but I think he would (rightly) say that in every case, it was God working through him. Yet it’s also true that Pio cooperated with God’s grace by faith.

A woman with a blood disease sought Jesus out, and merely by touching the hem of his garment, she was healed. Jesus said to the woman, “Daughter, your faith has saved you. Go in peace and be cured of your affliction.” This gospel story always stands out to me, because it’s always told in the context of Jesus going to heal Jairus’ daughter. The little girl is waiting for a miracle, and this woman interrupts! Can you imagine how frustrated Jairus and his wife would’ve been, expecting a miracle, but it gets delayed?

But when they hear their daughter has died in that time, Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid; just have faith.”

St. Padre Pio, please intercede for us, not only for a miraculous healing for Amelia, but for perseverance in faith until then.

Amelia’s Christmas Novena - Day 3

O Lord, Word of God, You, whose glory is complete, came to us in perfect humility as a child in the womb. Your love for us and Your humility is unsurpassed and brings us to our knees in prayer and worship.

Your incarnation forever changed the world.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

O Lord, infant Jesus, give us the gift of Faith! You, Lord, deserve our complete faith. We pray for deeper and more perfect faith in you this Christmas.

We also pray for the healing of Amelia, and that her miraculous cure will bring all who know her closer to You.

May Your Holy Will be done in our life and with these intentions.

We pray that the work of salvation that Your first coming began will reach fulfillment in each of us.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end.

Amen.