Jesus, I trust in You!

    Years ago, as my mom, cousin and I were heading back to my home in Kansas from the airport; my cherished gold, Chevy Beretta was struck by lightning! We were driving through horrendous conditions; storms were always popping up during the four years that my family and I lived there. After one of the scariest moments of my life encountering lightning bolts front and center on the hood of my car which caused it to lose power immediately; I was forced to pull over to the side of the road for a few challenging moments. Miraculously, the Chevy started up again and we were so grateful to be alive. I looked up at the huge burn mark on the roof of my car caused by the lightning bolt and could not help feeling God’s Almighty protection for us!

     Much later, sometime after our family moved to Indiana, a tornado blew through our small town. Miraculously, no one was hurt – however, we did have a multitude of downed trees everywhere and many remained on our parish’s property. Our pastor at the time (May God rest his soul) was an industrious shepherd, always in motion and very devoted to the Blessed Mother. At his request, one of our parishioners designed a beautiful cordwood Eucharistic Adoration Chapel! Father had plans to use all the downed tree logs left on the church grounds from the storm. He rolled up his sleeves and got to work inviting parishioners to help build the chapel. It was truly work inspired by the Holy Spirit!

     After the Eucharistic Adoration Chapel was built and blessed, Father asked a parishioner to paint a lovely picture of Divine Mercy Jesus, and had it installed inside the beautiful chapel. Thankfully, our beloved priest was open to the awe- inspiring message of Divine Mercy! We celebrated Divine Mercy Sunday established by Saint Pope John Paul II at our parish regularly! Father also encouraged us to read the Diary of Saint Faustina and made it possible for parishioners to gather and pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet in the church or the chapel after weekday morning mass.

      I was not aware of the Prayer/Blessings Against Storms during these personal encounters with storms and lightening. However, I was happy to find this treasured prayer/blessing against storms. It has become one of my favorites to pray as storms appear sometimes out of nowhere! It might be a bright, sunny day filled with the magnificent signs of Spring in your part of the country; but somewhere, someone, whether a friend, family member or former neighbor might just need this prayer! Or you just might need it for you! In any event, please feel to generously use and share this prayer!    

Prayer / Blessing Against Storms from the Pieta Prayer Book
(where you see the cross, make the Sign of the Cross)

Jesus Christ the King of Glory has come in Peace. +
God became man, +
and the Word was made flesh. +
Christ was born of a virgin. +
Christ suffered. +
Christ was crucified. +
Christ died. +
Christ rose from the dead. +
Christ ascended into Heaven. +
Christ conquers. +
Christ reigns. +
Christ orders. +
May Christ protect us from all storms and lightning. +
Christ went through their midst in Peace, +
and the Word was made Flesh. +
Christ is with us with Mary. +
Flee you enemy spirits because the Lion of the Generation of Juda, the Root of David, has won. +
Holy God! +
Holy Powerful God ! +
Holy Immortal God! +
Have mercy on us. Amen!

Prayer source: https://www.catholiccompany.com/magazine/prayer-blessing-against-storms-pieta-prayer-book-5902