# Holy Father, I abandon myself to you
*2015-08-24*

> On the feast of St. Bartholomew, Bill Young leads a prayer of total abandonment to God the Father, offering up personal sufferings for the salvation of the world.

## The Feast of St. Bartholomew

Good morning. This is Bill Young and welcome to the Prayer N Lunch podcast. Today is Monday, August 24th, and it is the feast day of St. Bartholomew. We know Bartholomew as one of the original twelve apostles who was with Jesus during His life, and who continued to proclaim the good news of the gospel after His ascension.

## A Prayer of Abandonment

As August is dedicated to God the Father, we continue with a prayer called 'Holy Father, I abandon myself to you.'

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Holy Father, I abandon myself to you; do with me as you please. I am poor and weak, but I give you my humble yes. In my weakness, show your power. Unite my sufferings to that of your Son for the salvation of the world.

## Offering Sufferings for Grace

May my sufferings, permeated by a Christ-like spirit of sacrifice, lead the way to grace, which transforms our hearts and manifests the strength of the redemption in the story of humanity. I offer every tear, every secret complaint, every fear, and feelings of helplessness, in order that your kingdom may come among the little ones of the world.

## Interceding for the Poor and Abandoned

May my stability be a strength to all missionaries who consume themselves in going to the ends of the earth. I offer you my humble love for every person who lives unjustly in spiritual and material poverty; for every mother who watches helplessly as her child dies of hunger; and for every child who is abandoned. I offer you everything so that all people may come to know love through the fraternal love of others, and may come to know you as the God of love, liberation, and consolation. Amen.

## Closing Petitions

Let us pray for all those who are less fortunate than us. Pray for those who cannot hear the word of the gospel. Lord Jesus, pray for us. St. Bartholomew, pray for us. Mary, [unclear].

*By abandoning ourselves to the Father and offering our weaknesses and sufferings, we can participate in the redemption of the world and the support of the poor.*