As we celebrate this great feast, we know that we continue on our Advent journey. The coming of Jesus is near, but we still have time to prepare for Him. One act of charity that may assist us in our preparation is visiting a lonely person. Most of us know someone who is lonely. It may be a relative, a friend, a co-worker, or a fellow parishioner. Loneliness is especially acute at this time of the year. People often feel forgotten and hurt. The following is an excerpt from a prayer which reflects the loneliness felt by just one person. It was selected from a series of “Prayers for Loneliness” from the media outlet, “Knowing Jesus”.
AND PRAY FOR YOUR HEALING TOUCH UPON MY LIFE AND THE SUFFICIENT GRACE TO FACE EACH DAY.
I ASK FOR YOUR COMFORT AND PEACE, ESPECIALLY DURING THOSE MOMENTS OF INTENSE LONELINESS
WHEN I FEEL SO INCREDIBLY ALONE AND HELPLESS.
I LONG FOR JUST ONE PERSON TO SHOW A LITTLE LOVE AND CARE; YET THE PEOPLE THAT I KNOW
ARE TOO BUSY WITH THEIR OWN LIVES TO NOTICE THE INTENSE PAIN THAT I AM GOING THROUGH.
HELP ME NOT TO BE BITTER BY THEIR LACK OF LOVE; BUT RATHER USE IT, I PRAY, TO MOULD
> ME INTO THE PERSON THAT I KNOW YOU WANT ME TO BE.
TOUCH THE HEARTS OF ALL THOSE WHO LIKE ME ARE FACING LONELINESS.
COMFORT ALL OUR HEARTS; GIVE US THE JOY OF YOUR SALVATION.
HELP US TO LOOK TO JESUS DURING THOSE TIMES OF LONELINESS,
AND I PRAY THAT YOU WOULD HELP US GROW IN GRACE SO THAT WE MAY BE ENABLED TO SHOW COMFORT
AND SUCCOUR TO OTHERS FACING TIMES OF GREAT LONELINESS AND PAIN.
THIS I ASK IN JESUS NAME. AMEN.