O Good Shepherd, Pray for Brian

You may have heard the tragic news about Brian Bergkamp, a Diocese of Wichita seminarian presumed dead after he was swept away in turbulent water while trying to help a fellow kayaker.

My son Daniel, who knew Bergkamp when they both were studying at Conception Seminary College, asked our family to pray for his former classmate when news spread that he was missing.

Another son David, 8, took the prayer request to heart.

He told me later that he asked Jesus, the Good Shepherd, to help find the seminarian, because the Good Shepherd seeks out the lost.

That was a good prayer, I told David. When we pray it's good to remind God of Who He is, what He has said and what He can do.

Of course, our all-knowing God needs no reminders. But we do. We ask with more confidence, boldness and faith when we remember God's actions and promises and recall that He wants to help us. (Here's where we could remind our Lord that He promised: “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.")

We offer God praise when we recall His mighty deeds in our requests. But we must also remember that our will might not be His will.

In adopting this spirit of prayer, of reminding God, we could cover a number of petitions:

Heavenly Father, Who freed the Israelites from slavery, free us from the slavery of sin.

Jesus, You wept. Console me in my grief.

Lord, You said: "Come to Me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest." I turn to You now, Jesus. Help me.

"Blessed Mother, who interceded for the bride and groom at Cana, bring our needs to your Son. And we will "do whatever He tells" us.

We could go on thinking up examples of how we could praise our Lord and remind ourselves of His promises and greatness. But for now, let's offer some prayers for Brian Bergkamp and his family -- perhaps calling upon the merciful Good Shepherd.

Inspired by the Year of Faith, Susan Szalewski began writing weekly columns for us. Although that year is over, we liked them so well that we asked her to keep writing. Thankfully, she said yes. So watch for these on Thursdays and see the Year of Faith Blog here.