Novena: prayer for those who doubt

This image of St Thérèse was taken only a couple of months before her death. It is in facing death that each of us endures our greatest test of faith. In the Diocesan Novena this week we pray for all those who doubt or struggle to find faith in God.

Intention for this week: those who doubt/struggle with faith

For the final 18 months of her life, Thérèse endured great suffering as the result of illness. Alongside this there was a form of spiritual suffering, as she felt that heaven “was closed” to her. She never lost her faith, but found it impossible to feel God’s presence. This experience of darkness for Thérèse reminds us how great a gift it is to have a sense of God’s presence in our lives; it is an invitation to pray for those who have no faith or who struggle to believe. Jesus’ question in the Gospel is also meant for each of us: “Who do you say I am?” This week we pray for a deeper, stronger faith in Christ.

Intercession:
Let us pray for those who struggle to believe in Christ – that by the prayers of St Thérèse they may find certainty in the truth which God has revealed to us.