This week’s gospel reading is about prayer, and the necessity “to pray always without becoming weary.” Jesus tells a parable about a dishonest judge, who, after being bothered for a long time by a widow asking him to make a decision against her adversary, finally gives in to her persistence. Jesus is making the point that if an unjust judge responds to the persistence of a widow, how much more so will our just and good God listen to our prayers? God truly wants to hear our needs and respond generously.

It is easy for our faith in this to be shaken. At the end of the passage, Jesus laments, “But when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?” As humans, we often lose heart when something takes a long time to happen or when our prayers don’t seem to be answered. When we are caught in painful circumstances it can feel like the whole world is against us, and that God has stopped listening.

But this is precisely why we can’t give up on prayer. As St Thérèse de Lisieux said, “For me, prayer is a surge of the heart; it is a simple look turned toward heaven, it is a cry of recognition and of love, embracing both trial and joy.” Prayer is not about what we’re asking God for—it’s about an attitude and a feeling in the heart—a turning towards heaven.

In the aftermath of Hurricane Matthew, the trials facing the Haitian people keep mounting. It can feel overwhelming, and in a world filled with distractions and too much information, it’s easy to stop praying for what feels like a desperate situation. But on this Sunday, we implore you to keep praying for the Haitian people. While the storm has passed, the battle to save and repair lives has just begun.

Our staff and volunteers in Haiti are working frantically, day and night, to get help to where it is needed most. Over the weekend and early this week, they distributed 1,000 household recovery kits to families in Côtes-de-Fer, a town on the southern coast.

These kits provide crucial survival resources for a family of five. They contain:

  •  Food
  • Hygiene kits
  • Household supplies
  • Water purification tablets

As the news cycle moves on from the tragedy in Haiti, we ask that you keep praying persistently. Help us in REACHING MORE families who have lost everything. Let us help them to not lose hope.

Prayer for Victims of Natural Disasters

Heavenly Father, I pray for the victims of this Hurricane Matthew, Lord, that you would comfort the lives that were spared Lord, and that you would take care of those who perished. Lord, please bless those who are doing everything they can to help these people and also make sure that things run smoothly in repairing the country of Haiti.

Please help the victims to have patience and also help family members to be reunited. Lord, I pray that you will ensure that the victims do not come under any illnesses from this disaster, and I also pray that they get enough food and clean water and proper shelter for everyone. Lord, please touch the hearts of the world to continue to pray for these people and also to donate whatever they can to help rebuild this wonderful country. Lord , only you can make miracles happen and I am asking for one now.

In your precious name, Lord Jesus I pray. Amen.

– Bridgett of Ontario, CA, adapted from “Hurricane Katrina Prayer”

Families in Haiti are still struggling to recuperate after Hurricane Matthew. Find out how to give them access to clean water. 

*Today’s reflection is inspired by and adapted from the Loyola Press Sunday Connection.