About this prayer
This original devotional prayer asks Saint John of the Cross to intercede with God. It is written for this companion and is not presented as a historical prayer composed by the saint.
Prayer text
Saint John of the Cross, join your prayers to mine before our loving God. Pray for me when God seems distant and familiar comforts no longer sustain me. Help me remain honest in prayer and seek support instead of facing sorrow alone. Ask the Lord to purify my love of selfishness, guide me through uncertainty, and teach me to trust his presence without demanding that I understand every step. Intercede for the intentions I now hold in silence, especially for those who have no one to pray with them. May every grace we receive draw us closer to Jesus and make us more ready to serve our neighbour. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Extended community prayer
The original prayer above is unchanged. This separate community version includes additional intentions and responses. One person leads; everyone joins in the shared parts.
Let us gather in the presence of God, remembering those who pray with us and those who cannot be here. We bring our gratitude, our needs, and our willingness to care for one another.
God of love, unite our hearts in prayer and teach us to serve you together.
Saint John of the Cross, join your prayers to mine before our loving God. Pray for me when God seems distant and familiar comforts no longer sustain me. Help me remain honest in prayer and seek support instead of facing sorrow alone. Ask the Lord to purify my love of selfishness, guide me through uncertainty, and teach me to trust his presence without demanding that I understand every step. Intercede for the intentions I now hold in silence, especially for those who have no one to pray with them. May every grace we receive draw us closer to Jesus and make us more ready to serve our neighbour. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Community intentions
For those who cannot feel God's nearness, obtain patient hope and companions who respect their struggle.
Lord, hear our prayer, and help us become instruments of your mercy.
For our attachments and fears, ask Christ to lead us into a freer love that trusts him through uncertainty.
Lord, hear our prayer, and help us become instruments of your mercy.
Pause for silent prayer. Intentions may be offered aloud freely; no one is required to share.
For the intentions spoken and those held quietly in our hearts, let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, receive our prayer and sustain us in your love.
Let us entrust ourselves and those for whom we have prayed to the Father.
Merciful Father, receive our prayer through Jesus Christ. Where we can offer help, make us willing; where we must wait, give us patience. Keep us attentive to one another beyond this gathering. May the grace of this prayer take root in our homes, our work, and our choices, so that your love becomes visible through our lives. Amen.