Praying for Heaven

My friend’s dear mother was nearing the end of her life, and I had assured her that I would pray. So, I was praying. Most mornings, she was the first person on my mind. I would think of her throughout the day, and I would pause and ask God to give her the comfort, strength, and peace she needed as she said goodbye to her mom.

One day my friend sent along a specific intention related to the needs of the moment, which I was all too happy to voice in my conversations with God. Of course, our father in heaven knows what we need before we ask, and I knew he was already holding my friend and her family in his hands. But praying for someone I love—or even for a stranger—allows me to participate in such a meaningful way.

Some people don’t believe in the power of prayer. They think it’s empty or fruitless. I can’t explain how it works on a theological level. I just know that I have seen the power of prayer. I’ve watched it open doors and change hearts, including mine. I’ve experienced the ways it builds and strengthens connections here on earth. It binds me closer to God—and closer to the people I pray for.

Especially at a time when my friend was carrying so much, I was honored to be able to pray. Praying for people when they are in the midst of something so large they might not be able to pray themselves is truly a gift.

One of the difficult days for my friend and her family happened to be the Feast of the Archangels. As she was encountering obstacles in getting her mother the care she needed, I told her that I was praying that she would be surrounded by angels. Suddenly, the situation resolved. The angels had defeated the darkness in that moment. And the journey continued.

Days later, I was praying at Mass, and a stained-glass window of the shepherds at the nativity kept catching my eye. I found myself thinking that when you know someone is nearing the end, you are keeping a vigil, too. The shepherds didn’t know what they were watching for, as they stayed close to their sheep, but they were ready to greet Jesus because they were vigilant.

In this case, we were keeping watch, holding onto hope, not wanting to let go of a loved one on earth while also believing in the promise of eternal life. It was a different kind of a vigil, but one centered around the beauty and the gift of a human life.

Right after Mass, I texted my friend to let her know I had been praying. Moments later, my phone rang. It was my friend. She shared with me that she had just received the call that her mother had passed away. We marveled at God’s hand and presence in her mother’s final days on earth.

As we said goodbye and ended the call, I thought about the gift it is to pray for people on their way to heaven—whether they have many years to live or just a short time. We are all connected, and prayer is one of the ways we can support and accompany one another.

Even when we don’t feel we know what to pray for, we can connect with God through prayer, put the situation in his hands, and let him take it from there.

“God hears our heart not our voice,” St. Cyprian said.

What a blessing it is to be able to pray for one another as we walk toward heaven, hoping and longing to be welcomed into Jesus’ arms—and wanting the same for our companions on the journey. May the angels lead each of us into paradise.

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