In the year 2011 I attended a women’s retreat at the Passionist Retreat House (Bishop Molloy Retreat House) in Jamaica, NY. It was my very first retreat ever! I didn’t know what to expect and how it was going to help me continue my path to our Lord Jesus Christ , you see, in 2011 I met Jesus. It took me over 40 some years to meet Him and fall in love, and I truly believe that I was led by Him to this retreat experience.     The retreat was led by a luminescent being (actually that is the way I saw her). Her name was Sister Maria Regina. She was a sight for my sore eyes and an enlightening to my soul.On the first night we had Evening Prayer in the upstairs chapel of the retreat house and she introduced to us this intercessory prayer that changed the way I pray for others. I’d like to share this with all of you now. It is perfect for this time that we are going through in 2020.     An Intercessory Prayer Method:     There are different ways of making intercession for others. Here is a way that uses no words. Sometimes we don’t even know what to ask for, and this way of interceding leaves it up to God. God knows exactly what is needed. What God wants and is waiting for is our own love and concern to provide an opening for God’s transforming energies to enter into the situation.     Close your eyes lightly, and spend some time becoming aware of the presence of Christ and of getting in touch with Him. Throughout this time of prayer, maintain this strong sense of connection with Christ. Without this, the intercession is in danger of becoming not prayer , but a mere exercise in remembering people. Keep in focus both the people you will be praying for and the presence of Christ.     Imagine Jesus flooding you with His life and light and power…. See the whole of your being, in imagination, lit up by this light that comes from Him.     Now conjure upon in imagination, one by one, the persons you wish to pray for… Lay your hands on each one, communicating to him or her all the life and power that you have just received from Christ… Take your time over each individual… Call down Christ’s love on him or her wordlessly… See the person light up with Christ’s life and love… See the person transformed… Then move on to the next person… and the next.     When you finish come to rest for a few moments in Christ’s presence, drinking in His light and His life, allowing yourself to be filled again with His Spirit, His love and especially His peace. End it with a brief prayer of thanksgiving for the privilege of collaborating in extending God’s reign.
     The beauty of this intercessory prayer is that it can be done for others as well. You can pray for those who are committed to your care… pastors for their people… teachers for their pupils…health care workers for their patients. Isn’t this perfect for our situation now? What about praying for your “enemies”? Didn’t Jesus ask us to do that? You can pray for each one of the persons whom you dislike and have difficulty with… or people who dislike you… or those who have caused you any kind of hurt… Think of the healing and forgiveness that would take place in you and through you to the other person. You can move on to pray for our Church… for whole nations… The treasures of Christ are infinite and you need not fear that you will exhaust them by lavishing them on His people.           At this moment I would like to thank our Lord God for putting people like Sister Maria Regina in my path to Him. She brought His light, His love and His peace into my life that weekend and I am eternally grateful to her. I love you Sister Maria Regina, please pray for us! And to my Beautiful and  Loyal Redeemer and Savior I would like to say thank You for all You have done for me here in the present and throughout my life. I love You my God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit! I praise and adore You! Glory to You! Berta Hernández