Thank you for your article.
I too was brought up Catholic. I was never really encouraged to take-up a patron saint. Perhaps this was because I was confirmed later, in my mid-20s.
I later began attending a Baptist (contemporary and somewhat charismatic) congregation. My attitude to Church, religion, the Bible, and prayer were forever changed.
I will write about this at length sometime soon but I just wanted to confirm that your Heavenly Father most definitely hears your prayers.
Sometimes we don’t hear when he answers. Our modern lives are a shocker for this — they lead us far away from spiritual matters and deafen us to Holy answers. Paul wrote about this.
I have received amazing answers to prayer.
The Holy Spirit is very much alive and well. He wants to know us and work through us.
I don’t see any reason not to pray to the saints. Especially Mary, as she has a special mission to humanity given her by her son. But there is no reason why you can’t go direct to Christ, The Father, or Holy Spirit.
When I worked in sales I learned my ABC — always be closing.
With prayer I now focus on my ABP — always be praying. I pray anywhere and everywhere. I pray with people as well as alone.
My most prayed prayer is one of thanks.
