Just like a child running into their father's arms, God loves when we turn to Him in prayer. He delights in us bringing our intentions to Him in faith. In the Gospels, Jesus instructs the disciples on the power of prayer, saying, "ask and you will receive; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you." (Luke 9:11)
Praying a novena is a powerful way to bring our intentions to God. Through the structured nine days of meditation focused on a specific request or saint, God draws us closer, encouraging us to ask in faith for our desires while ultimately surrendering the outcome to Him.
A novena is a nine-day prayer, often dedicated to a specific saint or intention. The word "novena" comes from the Latin word "novem," meaning nine. Novenas are typically prayed for an intention, including healing, discernment, or a specific need.
The origin of the novena can be traced back centuries, specifically the nine days of prayer between the Feast of the Ascension and Pentecost, where the disciples prayed together before the coming of the Holy Spirit.
Novenas offer a special opportunity to focus on prayer for nine consecutive days, bringing our intentions before God. Praying a novena can offer peace and clarity in our situations. It's also an act of surrender, as we entrust our deepest concerns to the Lord. Reasons for praying a novena may include:
Specific intention: Most commonly, individuals start a novena to pray for a specific intention, like a request for healing, help in a difficult situation, or discernment in making a life decision.
Spiritual Support: A person might pray a novena for consolation during difficult times, like during illness, after a loss, or when facing anxiety.
Preparation for a Holy Day: Novenas are often prayed in anticipation of significant feast days in the Catholic Church, such as Christmas, Easter, or the Feast Days of particular saints, as a way to prepare spiritually for the celebration.
Thanksgiving: Someone might pray in a novena as a form of thanksgiving for blessings received or prayers answered, expressing gratitude to God.
Community prayer: People may join community-wide novenas where a group collectively prays for a common cause including peace, an end to global hunger, or for the needs of the local or global church.
When deciding on a novena to pray, first think about the intention or need you have. You can choose a novena dedicated to a specific saint who is the patron of your concern. For example, if you're seeking employment, a novena to St. Joseph the Worker might be ideal. If you are praying for someone battling cancer, consider a novena to St. Peregrine. Regardless of your choice, remember that time spent in prayer is always valuable.
Praying a novena requires commitment, consistency, and an open heart. Here’s a simple guide to follow:
Begin with the Sign of the Cross
Daily Prayer: Follow the specific prayers allocated for each of the nine days. These often include:
An opening prayer
Daily intention or petition
Closing prayer
Additional Elements: You may include personal reflections, meditations, or additional prayers related to your intention.
Repeat for Nine Days: Continue this process for nine consecutive days
Mark your calendar: Mark the days on your calendar or set a reminder on your phone, reminding you of the start and end date of your novena.
Consistency is key: Set a specific time of day and place you recite your novena. This will allow you to enter into the mindset of prayer more fully.
Maintain with an open heart: While we should pray with expectant faith that God will hear our prayer, it is important to pray a novena with a spirit of surrender to the will of God, knowing that whatever happens, His plans are ultimately greater than our own.
Whether you're seeking healing, strength, or clarity, a novena can be a powerful tool for spiritual growth. Prayer is the cornerstone of our work at MercyWorks, and we offer several novenas for a wide range of intentions. Join us in praying our St. Maria Goretti Novena, where we intercede for an end to human trafficking around the world.