We hear the deep cry of your heart, and we join you in lifting your burdens to the Lord, for He alone is our Intercessor, our Savior, and our ever-present Help in times of trouble. First, we must address something critical in your prayer—you invoked the name of St. Anthony and prayed to him, asking him to whisper your petitions to Jesus. Beloved, there is only **one Mediator between God and man, the Man Christ Jesus** (1 Timothy 2:5, WEB). The Bible makes it clear that we are not to pray to or through any other being—whether saints, angels, or any created thing—for only Jesus has the power to save, to hear, and to intercede for us. The practice of praying to saints or angels is not supported by Scripture and can lead us away from the truth that **salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved** (Acts 4:12, WEB).
You expressed feeling helpless, hopeless, and as though God cannot hear you, but we assure you on the authority of His Word that **He is near to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit** (Psalm 34:18, WEB). Your struggles are not hidden from Him. In fact, He collects your tears in a bottle (Psalm 56:8) and invites you to cast *all* your anxieties on Him because He cares for you (1 Peter 5:7). You do not need to beg Him to listen—He is already listening, and His ear is attentive to the prayers of the righteous (1 Peter 3:12). The enemy, Satan, wants you to believe that God is distant, that your prayers are unheard, and that you are beyond hope. But these are lies. **Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life** (John 14:6), and He has already overcome the world (John 16:33). Cling to Him alone.
You also mentioned your need for salvation. This is the most urgent cry of all, and we rejoice that you recognize it. Salvation is not found in rituals, in saints, or in our own efforts—it is found **only in Jesus Christ**. The Bible tells us, **"If you will confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart, one believes resulting in righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made resulting in salvation"** (Romans 10:9-10, WEB). If you have not yet surrendered your life fully to Jesus, we urge you to do so now. Repent of your sins, turn away from anything that is not of Him—including the practice of praying to anyone other than God—and place your trust in Christ alone. He is faithful and just to forgive your sins and cleanse you from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9).
As for your anxieties and worries, Jesus tells us, **"Don’t be anxious for your life"** (Matthew 6:25, WEB). He reminds us that if God cares for the birds of the air and the flowers of the field, how much more does He care for you, who are made in His image? Your Heavenly Father knows what you need before you even ask (Matthew 6:8). Instead of being consumed by worry, seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness, and **all these things will be given to you as well** (Matthew 6:33). This does not mean your struggles will vanish instantly, but it means you can trust Him in the midst of them. His peace, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your heart and mind in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:7).
You long to praise Jesus as you once did, and that desire is a gift from Him. When we feel distant from God, it is often because we have allowed our focus to shift from Him to our circumstances. But **draw near to God, and He will draw near to you** (James 4:8). Spend time in His Word daily, for it is a lamp to your feet and a light to your path (Psalm 119:105). Worship Him in spirit and in truth (John 4:24), even when you don’t feel like it. Praise is not about our feelings; it is about His worthiness. As you fix your eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of your faith (Hebrews 12:2), your perspective will begin to align with His, and your heart will find rest in Him.
Now, let us pray together for you:
Heavenly Father, we come before You in the mighty and holy name of Jesus Christ, lifting up Your child who is crying out to You in desperation. Lord, You see the depths of their heart—the fears, the anxieties, the feelings of helplessness, and the longing for Your presence. Father, we ask that You would open their eyes to see that **You are not far off, but near**, ready to save and to deliver. Forgive them, Lord, for any time they have sought intercession from anyone or anything other than You. You alone are God, and there is no other. We renounce any reliance on saints, angels, or created beings to mediate for us, for **Jesus is our only Mediator**, and we trust in Him alone.
Lord, we pray that You would flood their heart with Your peace, which surpasses all understanding. Cast out every lie of the enemy that says You do not hear, that You do not care, or that they are beyond Your reach. Remind them, Holy Spirit, that **nothing can separate them from Your love**—not trouble, not hardship, not persecution, not famine, not nakedness, not danger, not even death (Romans 8:35-39). Father, we ask that You would strengthen their faith, that they would know beyond any doubt that **You are their Shepherd, and they shall not want** (Psalm 23:1).
For the salvation they seek, Lord, we thank You that it is already theirs in Christ Jesus. If they have not yet fully surrendered to You, we pray that today would be the day they confess with their mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in their heart that You raised Him from the dead. Wash them clean, Father, and fill them with Your Holy Spirit. Let them walk in the newness of life that You have prepared for them.
We pray against the spirit of anxiety and fear that has gripped them. We command it to flee in the name of Jesus, for **You have not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-control** (2 Timothy 1:7). Replace their worries with Your perfect peace, Lord. Help them to trust You in every area of their life, knowing that You are working all things together for their good (Romans 8:28).
Father, we ask that You would send Your angels to minister to them, not as objects of worship, but as Your servants who do Your will (Hebrews 1:14). Surround them with Your protection, Your comfort, and Your love. Let them feel Your presence in a tangible way, Lord, so that they may know without a doubt that **You are with them always, even to the end of the age** (Matthew 28:20).
Restoration is what You promise, Lord, and we claim that promise now. Restore to them the joy of Your salvation (Psalm 51:12). Let them praise You with a heart full of gratitude, not because their circumstances have changed, but because **You are good, and Your loving kindness endures forever** (Psalm 100:5). Give them a song in the night, Lord, and let their mouth be filled with Your praise.
We thank You, Father, for hearing our prayer. We trust that You are at work, even now, bringing hope where there was despair, light where there was darkness, and life where there was death. We give You all the glory, honor, and praise, for You alone are worthy. In the mighty and precious name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, we pray. Amen.
Beloved, we encourage you to **stand firm in the faith** (1 Corinthians 16:13). Do not let the enemy steal your hope or your joy. Keep seeking Jesus, keep praying to Him alone, and keep your heart open to His Word. He is faithful, and He will see you through this season. If you ever feel overwhelmed, remember: **"The Lord is my strength and my song. He has become my salvation"** (Psalm 118:14). You are not alone. We are standing with you in prayer, and most importantly, **Jesus is standing with you**. He will never leave you nor forsake you (Hebrews 13:5). Trust in Him.