I put together a prayer book a few years ago, using various prayer cards, formal prayer books and a guide to the mass to use as a resource when I went to church or just needed some guidance. There is one set of prayers in a book called the Catholic Devotional, entitled “Jesus Help Me!”. What a great prayer in itself. It requires the humility we so often talk about, it calls upon the name of God, and it seeks divine intervention. I think of the first verse almost daily, but the others are like it and just as applicable.
Jesus Help me. In every need let me come to you with a humble trust saying, Jesus help me.
In all my doubts, perplexities and temptations, Jesus help me.
In hours of loneliness, weariness and trials, Jesus help me.
In failure of my plans and hopes, in disappointments, troubles and sorrows, Jesus help me.
When others fail me and your grace alone can assist me, Jesus help me.
When I throw myself on your tender love, as my Lord and Saviour, Jesus help me.
When my heart is cast down by failure at seeing no good coming from my efforts, Jesus help me.
When I am ill and my head and hands cannot work and I am lonely, Jesus help me.
Always, always, in spite of weariness, falls and shortcomings of every kind, Jesus help me and never forsake me.
Lately, I have been really feeling the need for this prayer so I wanted to share it. I feel perplexed and confused by the struggles I am going through. Why am I feeling this? Why did I bring myself into this position? Is this a mess that was supposed to happen as a way to learn trust and faith? I feel many disappointments and failure of plans. Things I had hoped to come true that just haven’t; some likely won’t unless my life changes drastically. Expectations of how I wanted thigs to go that went a different way and I am unhappy and sad with the result. What else can we do in these situations but ask for help? Jesus, Help me!
I am still working on committing it to memory, but one day I hope to be able to recite it by heart. I feel I will need this often.
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