# Help us in these difficult times
*2014-05-11*

> Bill Young shares a prayer by Saint Pope John Paul II focused on seeking the intercession of the Blessed Mother during times of hardship and sorrow.

## Facing difficult times

Welcome to the 371st episode of Prayer and Lunch. Today we are reflecting on a prayer by Saint Pope John Paul II titled "Help Us in These Difficult Times." We all face difficult times in our lives, though some of us struggle much more than others.

## Supporting families in need

I am happy to share that I volunteer for the Arielle Anacker Cancer Foundation. We provide help to families in need who have children battling cancer. For those of you in Florida or across the U.S. who may need assistance, please feel free to contact us; we would like to help you in any way we can.

## A prayer to our Mother

Here is the prayer: Today, we are looking with sorrowful eyes, O Mother. We are looking at you who know everything that we lack, you who know our sorrows and our hearts. You know, Mary, what we earnestly desire; speak of it to your Son. Tell Him about the difficulties of the present times in which we live. Speak about it to Him who is the guest of our future. Tomorrow begins today, and it will be what we have made of it.

## Listening to the Word

O Mother of Christ, Mother of the Lord of the future, help us in these difficult times to listen to your Son—to listen to Him every day and at every moment of our life, even when He seems severe and demanding. To whom shall we go otherwise? He has the word of eternal life, the gospel of joy, of suffering, and of salvation. O Mother, with this gospel in our hearts, help us to overcome the difficulties of today in order to reach that tomorrow.

*By turning to the Blessed Mother and listening to the Word of Christ, we can find the strength to overcome today's difficulties and reach a hopeful tomorrow.*