Do you believe in the power of prayer? And do you have trouble at times remembering the people and issues you wish to pray for? I do. Some years back, my dear friend Father Murray Bodo, who has given me many good ideas, suggested a prayer practice.

In a basket, he puts slips of paper on which he has written the names of those he wants to pray for or for his current intentions. During his daily time for reflection, he can hold the basket rather than focusing on a memory exercise.

A basket for Our Lady of Guadalupe seems a wonderful practice. You may prefer another spiritual power to whom you wish to entrust your prayers and hopes. Life is both joyful and hard. It’s comforting to entrust our concerns to powers greater than ours.