I am looking for a prayer that I can use for the healing of my Father from alcoholism. I researched several Saints (Mathias, Monica, John, Martin) and though they are patron saints of alcoholism, I was unable to find a suitable prayer to them. Is there a Novena I could use? I pray for him on my own already but am looking for some intercession.

Thank you and God Bless!

-- Laura Kay (sis@stargate.net), September 07, 2003

Answers

If yu want to help your father, don't just sit there and pray. Help give him moral support. Try to spend more time with him in order to limit his access to alcohol. Make sure that you or anyone else doesn't drink around him and try to keep his mind off of alcohol. You need to give him some real-world help, and dabble in prayer on the side.

-- Anti-bush (Comrade_bleh@hotmail.com), September 07, 2003.

Start your search with this one maybe, and try St. Ambrose of Milan as well to see what you might come up with.

-- (seek@and.find), September 07, 2003.

Let me see if I can help "anti-bush" with a nicer way of putting things in a more Christian tone, please:

"If yu want to help your father, don't just sit there [continue to] pray. Help give him moral support. Try to spend more time with him in order to limit his access to alcohol. Make sure that you or anyone else doesn't drink around him and try to keep his mind off of alcohol. You need to give him [plenty of] help, and [continue to] prayer on [His] side."

Would you consider this a better way of helping, "anti-bush"?

rod..

..

-- rod (elreyrod@yahoo.com), September 07, 2003.

Laura,

Sorry to see your thread get side tracked. I will rember your Dad in my prayers. I don't know of the prayers you are looking for, but I will pray for your faimily in front of the Blessed Sacrament.

-- - (David@excite.com), September 07, 2003.

I haven't spoken to or seen my father in 4 1/2 years. He has decided not to be a part of my life anymore. I have tried all the things you suggested but he is not around anymore for me to help him. Only God can help him now. Thank you for your response but it didn't really answer my question.

-- Laura Kay (sis@stargate.net), September 07, 2003.

Jmj

Hello, Laura.
Have you heard of Matt Talbot? He was a modern-day layman who was an alcoholic, but he overcame his addiction and became such a holy man that he was declared "Venerable" by the Church in the 1970s. Now many people pray for his intercession. Some day, he may be beatified (declared Blessed) and then canonized (St. Matthew Talbot).

Here is a site that has some biographical information.
Here is a site that has that and much more, including a way to contact an organization that has "Matt Talbot Retreats." Surely, they will have a prayer (maybe a novena) that they can send you. But, if not, don't forget that you can pray simply from your heart, asking for the intercession of the saints you mentioned (and of Ven. M. Talbot).

I too will pray for your father's healing and for your reconciliation with him. The Eternal Father will reward you greatly for caring so much about your father, even though he has abandoned you.
God bless you.
John

-- J. F. Gecik (jfgecik@hotmail.com), September 08, 2003.

[CORRECTING THE LINKS ...]

Jmj

Hello, Laura.
Have you heard of Matt Talbot? He was a modern-day layman who was an alcoholic, but he overcame his addiction and became such a holy man that he was declared "Venerable" by the Church in the 1970s. Now many people pray for his intercession. Some day, he may be beatified (declared Blessed) and then canonized (St. Matthew Talbot).

Here is a site that has some biographical information.
Here is a site that has that and much more, including a way to contact an organization that has "Matt Talbot Retreats." Surely, they will have a prayer (maybe a novena) that they can send you. But, if not, don't forget that you can pray simply from your heart, asking for the intercession of the saints you mentioned (and of Ven. M. Talbot).

I too will pray for your father's healing and for your reconciliation with him. The Eternal Father will reward you greatly for caring so much about your father, even though he has abandoned you.
God bless you.
John

-- J. F. Gecik (jfgecik@hotmail.com), September 08, 2003.

You can find a really good piece on Matt Talbot in this book. If you can throw a few bucks at it, I suggest you buy this book; it's well worth it. There's Matt Talbot's story in there that John's talking about, and there's quite a few other interesting saints as well.

-- Emerald (emerald1@cox.net), September 08, 2003.

laurent,

if you were a beleiver you would know the power of prayer. instead you flounder along alone with only your peers to help you. but knowing and loving God, those of us christians are stronger than the sum of each of us, we have God who aids us in our strife and brings us to great comfort in our time of need. but that you should be able to know the joy of having a true sheperd, instead of following a leaderless flock of men...

-- paul (dontSendMeMail@notAnAddress.com), September 08, 2003.

"As long as someone refuses help than there is no hope..."

How wrong you are, Mr. LUG. Why just look at yourself. You ran away from the Catholic Church many years ago. But there is still hope for you to return.

You are worth praying for Mr. LUG, just like the man that needs prayers to stop drinking. Only by the Grace of God will this man stop drinking. Even the people that attend AA meeting talk of a Higher power.Only by the Grace of God Mr. Lug will you return home. It might be prayers that bring you back?

After visting this forum for a couple of years now, and attending Catholic schools you should be past your basic question. Why should we pray for a man to stop drinking?

God bless you , Mr. Lug, and may God give you the Grace to come back to the Holy Catholic Church, and may God give this man the Grace to stop drinking.

-- - (David@excite.com), September 08, 2003.

I have seen and experienced the power of prayer. I have observed people who would otherwise have been given up for dead make convincing recoveries of their symptoms. I couldn't believe it had not been for my own eyes. In my own experience, I have experienced the power of prayer. When I thought that all was lost and my will diminished to hopelessness, I prayed for strength to continue on. I was once at my lowest point--in health and hope--so I prayed. God then placed certain people and events in my life that allowed for a great change. When I lost faith in doctors, I turned to God. God gave me the strength to pick myself up and take back the control in my life. I started to research my symptoms and possible cures. It is crazy that I was the one comming up with answers that my doctors could not or would not find. I started eating that "ideal" diet and "ideal" exercise regime. My symptoms are under control and that's ok with me. I could not have done it with out my prayers to God. He gave me that second chance, which was seemed so impossible at the time I asked for it.

Pray...If you have faith, prayer is so real and so logical it is what we must do.

rod.. ..

-- rod (elreyrod@yahoo.com), September 08, 2003.

Sorry, it should have read this way instead:

"...which was/seemed so impossible at the time I asked for it."

I have people trying to talk to me while I try to write this reply.

rod

-- rod (elreyrod@yahoo.com), September 08, 2003.

On of them all,

I think your a bit confused. You said,"...Mr Lug you're right. We cannot put on God what...."

Mr. Lug doesn't believe in God, so therefore you answer makes no sense about Mr. Lug being right. Mr. Lug wasn't refering to putting anything on God. In LUGS' world there is no God.

-- - (David@excite.com), September 08, 2003.

"As long as someone refuses help than there is no hope..." How wrong you are, Mr. LUG. Why just look at yourself. You ran away from the Catholic Church many years ago. But there is still hope for you to return.

Who said I do need help , there is nothing wrong with my way of life , I am who I am , it's that simple !!

You are worth praying for Mr. LUG, just like the man that needs prayers to stop drinking. Only by the Grace of God will this man stop drinking. Even the people that attend AA meeting talk of a Higher power.Only by the Grace of God Mr. Lug will you return home. It might be prayers that bring you back?

higher power , explain please ??

After visting this forum for a couple of years now, and attending Catholic schools you should be past your basic question. Why should we pray for a man to stop drinking?

Where did I say you have to stop praying ??

God bless you , Mr. Lug, and may God give you the Grace to come back to the Holy Catholic Church, and may God give this man the Grace to stop drinking. We both have our own thoughts !!

-----------------------------------

Hopefully this person will stop drinking , 'coz alcohol , it (also) can change (other) lifes into a misery !!!!

A bit cruel to say , but I do wanna know:

What if someone dies by his drinking problem , even after you have praying everyday to help this person ??

But like I said , if someone refuses any help , how you will help that person ??

Greets from a NON BELIEVER:

-- Laurent LUG (.@...), September 09, 2003.

Mr. LUG,

This is a thread for a Lady asking for certain prayers in a Catholic forum. You are a atheist. This is a thread which you should just LURK! Your atheist opinion was not asked for.

Lug-"..But where did I say you have to stop praying. There is nothing wrong with my life."

There is smething wrong with your life! You don't even believe in God. And you did say. "....I realy don't see what or how praying does help."

Now these words coming from a atheist(you), and a man that use to have a e-mail address in this forum,"relegion suxx" (you) should pick and choose the threads where you post. I don't think you where encouaging prayer. Do you?

Lug-" Higher power, explain please?"

No, you're a atheist and its will go in one ear and out LUGS' other ear.

God bless you

-- - (David@excite.com), September 09, 2003.

David,

Laurent is a human. Althought I agree thoroughly with the logic behind your posts, I disagree with the way in which you convey them.

Laurent is more than welcome on ANY thread he so chooses to enter, as this is a PUBLIC forum. It is also a Christian forum, which means that the Spirit is at work (where two or more are gathered...). So, there really is no "side tracking". The Spirit leads this forum, and certain threads.

It is a win win. Laura Kay was responded to with help (by they way, my prayers are with you), but the fact that another topic was reached doesn't mean that the thread has lost it's purpose. In fact, through Laurent's post, quite possibly, this thread has fulfilled it's purpose! Now we have the chance to dialogue with a non-believer on the topic of prayer and spiritual help!

Laurent,

How are you? I'm not on this forum much anymore (I have found another great site "phatmass.com") You should check it out. But it's good to see you still here.

Prayers are our request to God on behalf of someone else. I know you don't believe in God, but do you believe in the spiritual world? If not, how do you explain certain miracles that happen? Since we, Christians, believe in God, and we acknowledge that there exists a spiritual (heavenly) realm, we understand how prayers are helpful. Good vs. bad isn't like the movies (a good person vs. a bad person). For Christians it is deeper. There is good that causes the good person to be good. And there is bad that causes the bad person to be bad. So, it isn't a matter of stopping bad people for us. It is a matter of stopping the "bad" (i.e. bad spirits). If you stop the bad spirits, you not only stop the "bad", but you also save the people who might have been effected by the bad. I hope that you see what I mean. When we pray, though our prayers may be said in a room by ourselves, we beleive that they are loud and clear in the spiritual real. The bad spirits are effected by our prayers! And they can loose their grip on the individual whom they are effecting.

I hope others may contribute to the clarification of the effectiveness of prayer.

Laurent - how do you feel when someone tells you that they were effected physically by prayer? Do you say that it is just coincidence? Or do you not believe the person?

Take care.

-- Jake Huether (jake_huether@yahoo.com), September 09, 2003.

David , you just don't like persons who doesn't belief , why ???? __ My questions was just simple , what do you mean by/with higher power ?? __ But the first thing you do is , attack me , why ?? __ Now , who's insulting who ?? __ BTW , that old address you're talking about , is still working , but I don't use it anymore !!!! BTW , I think it would pretty boring if all answers coming from 1 side all the time !! __ It's an open forum , I give my opinion where & when I want , but I keep my answers clean , but with my thoughts !!!!

----------------------------------------------------------

Jake , thx for your answer , I still got my own thoughts , I also don't believe in a spiritual world or wathever !! __ Miracles , for me , if they do exists , to me then they are just an accidental coincidence , like winning the jackpot !!

But again , thx anyway !!

How are you? I'm not on this forum much anymore (I have found another great site "phatmass.com") You should check it out. But it's good to see you still here.

I'm not coming here that often anymore , I've got other intrests , like metal & folk music !!

BTW , I have visiting the place you're talking about , I do visite too much different forums already , ==> 5 , that's more than enough for me !!

I hope others may contribute to the clarification of the effectiveness of prayer.

Feel free , no problem at all !!

- how do you feel when someone tells you that they were effected physically by prayer? Do you say that it is just coincidence? Or do you not believe the person?

an accidental coincidence , but I want believe the person , because no-one has real existing proof of miracles !! __ But as I said before , for me it would like be winning the jackpot !!

Greets from a NON BELIEVER:

-- Laurent Lug (.@...), September 09, 2003.

Lug the italics out o' here!

-- (i@i.iii), September 09, 2003.

Hello, Jake H.

Yes, Mr. LUG is a human. He is a very inteligent human that(I believe speaks 3 different languages).

But, I think there was a "little sidetracking" unlike yourself. Laura said. "I pray for him(her Dad) on my own, but I am looking for some intersession."

After Laura read a few posts more, she said,"..Thank you for your responses but it realy didn't answer my question."

I think Laura is looking for a certain prayer, or Novena to pray to one these sants with. I don't think she was looking to hear about the atheist"hitting the jackpot", or his other interests"metal and folk music". Because she said, -"it realy didn't answer my question yet". I think she was looking for a special Novena or prayer. But you most certainley entitled to you're opinion. And you're right this is a Christian, Catholic forum. And certain questions should be answered by such. Mr. Lug is not Catholic or a Christian, so he realy should refrain from answering in such threads.

You are right about this being a "open forum" too. I didn't say that Mr. Lug shouldn't come to forum. I said some threads he should "Lurk".

Mr. Lug,

"B.T.W, I think it would be pretty boring if all the answers coming from 1 side all the time."

But, Mr. LUG this was a thread asking for a Novena or special prayer. Its' not about "coming from 1 side all the time"! Don't you understand? EVEN in a Catholic forum some times questions asked to Catholics are better of answerd by Catholics.

-- - (David@excite.com), September 09, 2003.

I am a young woman of 22 who is a recovering alcoholic/addict. The ONLY reason why I am clean and sober today is the constant prayers of family and friends..and the intercession of some saints in heaven. Laura, I advise asking for the intercession of St. Maximilian Kolbe..a priest who gave his life up for another man while in the Auschwitz concentration camp, who was killed by lethal injection. Also, Venerable Alfred Pampalon is a patron of alcoholics. Please keep praying for your father. Those who understand the disease of alcoholism and recovery know that A.A. helps also. But A.A. is a spiritual program...and prayer is a necessity!!

-- valerie caron (valerie@krizworks.net), September 10, 2003.

Laura Kay, try this one....

Prayer for an Addict

Dear Saint Jude--addiction has caused a terrible upset in my family. The victim of this self-inflicted sickness has lost all sense of true reality - the reality of love as well as the reality of life. Beg Almighty God to make this addict aware that true euphoria can only be found in heaven and not with chemical dependence.

-- D.L. Johnson (djohnson29@prodigy.net), October 16, 2003.

Wow. It is interesting to read all of these responses regarding your request for a Novena. http://www.missa.org/nape.html This is a website directly to the, Novena to the Servant of God Father Alfred Pampalon. I hope you are well Laura Kay.

-- anonymous (raji_maed@email.com), December 20, 2003.

Thank you, "raji maed," for that URL. I am glad that the novena prayers by a Redemptorist have been approved by his superiors. I visited the Basilica of St. Anne de Beaupre a few years ago. I'll never forget it.
John

-- J. F. Gecik (jfgecik@hotmail.com), December 21, 2003.

I have direct experience of living with a ''hopeless'' alcoholic. Actually two very bad alcoholics.

Yes, it's good to pray for a miracle. But if we get no answer, pray then for something better.

If only good Christians realise; an alcoholic has to carry a heavy cross. There's no way to know from simple observation; but one who can't avoid drunkenness has an overwhelming burden. He carries it as a veritable cross. His whole person is suffering, and if he could, he would stay sober with no arguments. Just like a cancer patient would love to cast away HIS cross.

What we can do for the unfortunates is pray that their cross will not be in vain. We can pray God helps them see and CARRY the cross; even if they never overcome alcoholism.

In their sober moments, not a single alcoholic will tell you he wants to be addicted. He just is. We pray these poor victims will offer their unhappiness up to Our Lord on the cross as a share in His sufferings. Because that's what it means. Suffering; and not just from the sickness of alcoholism, but suffering disgrace in the eyes of others. All of us who look down on him/her. That must really be so painful; not to be loved or loveable, even to your own children! Because they don't understand. They only see the drunk. Not the cross.

-- eugene c. chavez (loschavez@pacbell.net), December 21, 2003.