May is Mental Health Awareness Month. It was founded in 1949 by Mental Health America, a nonprofit that has been a leader in mental health awareness since 1909. This year is the 75th consecutive year of this nationwide movement focused on mental health, well-being and prevention.
Mental health is how a person functions in daily activities. Statistics indicate that there is a widespread mental health crisis in the United States, especially among our youth.
According to the latest statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “one in five American adults experienced symptoms of anxiety and depression in 2023 (and) two in five high school students reported struggling with persistent feelings of sadness and hopelessness.”
Many are struggling to find meaning and stability, which has fueled the introduction of artificial intelligence digital therapies and new drugs. The problem is that both traditional and new techniques are not necessarily healing the cause of anxiety, sadness, hopelessness or loneliness.
The missing link is the need of a community — more specifically, a community rooted in prayer. As stated in the Gospel of Matthew 18:20, “For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there I am in the midst of them.”
This is where healing prayer ministries, guided by the Holy Spirit, offers another path toward healing.
In 2022, a healing prayer ministry was formed at Pope John Paul II Catholic Church. The ministry is a spiritual practice and an organized effort focused on inviting God’s presence and power into people’s lives for mental, emotional, physical, spiritual or relational healing.
What goes into this ministry is a biblical foundation based on scriptures that support healing and prayer. Theological clarity, along with understanding the role of healing within God’s time, helps the members maintain a strong personal relationship with God.
Meeting weekly, after spending an hour before Christ in silent adoration, the prayer team offers prayers for personal needs, for loved ones or for circumstances in one’s life that need healing. Advocated in both the Old and New Testaments, the Healing Prayer Ministry offers intercessory prayer, meaning its members pray for others and hand over the healing to God.
Members are led by the words found in James 5:16 that underscore the importance of constant prayer for others. All healing is surrendered to God alone, who may heal them now, later or in a different way that is best for the individual.
To maintain confidentiality in all subject matters, the prayer team sets healthy spiritual boundaries. This includes asking attendees permission to pray for their intentions out loud and, if they wish, to place hands on them during prayer.
With May being Mental Health Awareness Month, as a community, let us offer prayers for those who need healing. As stated in 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, “Rejoice always. Pray without ceasing. In all circumstances give thanks, for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus.”
The prayer ministry meets every Wednesday from 1 to 2 p.m. in the Adoration Chapel located at Pope John Paul II Catholic Church at 353 S. Pagosa Blvd. Anyone who needs healing prayer for themselves or a loved one, or wishes to join the ministry members in prayer, is welcome to attend.
Send questions to healing-2@ihmjp2.org and visit ihmjp2.org for a full list of ministries.
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