Dale Sieverding, Director of Worship at St. Monica Catholic Community,  developed a series of prayers for Fr. Dave based on the Psalms.  We are posting them here, in between Fr. Dave's updates, in the spirit of communal prayers for healing that this site was created for.  Whether you are near or far, please take the opportunity to pray with us as we will pray with you.  

Psalm 30

I will praise you, Lord, you have rescued me 
and have not let my enemies rejoice over me.

O Lord, I cried to you for help 
and you, my God have healed me.
O Lord, you have raised my soul from the dead, 
restored me to life from those who sink into the grave.

Sing psalms to the Lord, you who love him, 
give thanks to his holy name.
His anger lasts a moment; his favor all through life. 
At night there are tears but joy comes with dawn. 

I said to myself in my good fortune: 
“Nothing will ever disturb me.” 
Your favor had set me on a mountain fastness, 
then you hid your face and I was put to confusion.

To you, Lord, I cried, 
to my God I made appeal: 
“What profit would my death be, my going down to the grave? 
Can dust give you praise or proclaim your truth?” 

The Lord listened and had pity. 
The Lord came to my help. For me you have changed my mourning into dancing, 
you removed my sackcloth and girded me with joy. 
So my soul sings psalms to you unceasingly. 
O Lord my God, I will thank you forever.

We Pray:

God of day, God of darkness, 
The night watch can foster fear, the hour of the tiger paralyze, 
yet you promise that with morning comes joy.
Our brother Fr. Dave is afflicted with an illness that could cause utter despair,
yet you give him the grace of acceptance, love, gratitude, for his life 
and the multitude of blessings you shower upon him. 
Let our brother’s prayer be the same words uttered in the psalm: 
I called for help, and you, my God, have healed me! 

We Lord, are upset. 
The hour of the tiger leaves us asking “Why?”
Why is this good man afflicted, he whom you have called as your own beloved?
And we are we cast down - why?  
Because our brother is in pain, and your apostle writes that when one member of the body suffers, the entire body suffers.

The Body of Christ, in pain, cries out to you in prayer:
O Lord, save him, heal him, rescue him from any darkness of despair.
Let him live in your tremendous and all encompassing light.
Work your power of complete and total healing through the doctors and nurses
caring for him.

We are surrounding him in prayer, love and hope. 
Complete that love with your healing light,
that he may feel the intensity of your healing through knowing the fire of your love.
We make this prayer in the Name, above all other names, Jesus the Lord. Amen.