Diocese’s prayer companions provide spiritual support through collective prayer
By Tami S. Scott
Editor
‘How can we pray for you? Who would you like us to pray for?’
When the Syracuse Diocese, through its social media pages and emails, offers intercessory prayer, people respond with requests that range from healing to job changes to gratitude for all God has given us. They request prayers for themselves, for others, for the world, for the Church. They request prayers for their children to return to the faith. Their intentions can be general and specific.
No matter the prayer request, “They are beautiful,” said Danielle Cummings, Syracuse Diocese chancellor and director of communications. “We’ve had requests for a change in circumstance. Somebody’s lost their job. [We’ve had] a number of prayers about anxiety and depression. There’s just a huge variety — it’s where people are.”
In January, the Diocese formed a small ministry of “prayer companions,” now comprised of just over 30 diocesan employees. The group resulted from a desire to have more people praying for those who submit their petitions.
When you pray the prayers of those who’ve reached out for support, “it is so moving because you’re with people who not only are going through something, but they saw an invitation and they said, ‘I want somebody else to pray for me,’” said Cummings, who, together with Joelle Zarnowski, brought the ministry to life. Zarnowski was the communications specialist at the time and is now associate director of communications. She also hosts the diocesan podcast, Catholic Conversations. “I think one of the greatest challenges for all of us is to ask for help. Praying with others, for others, [speaking for the] prayer companions, it’s one of the greatest forms of spiritual teamwork. It strengthens us. I think for the people who submit their prayer, it gives them strength knowing that there’s another person or persons out there who are willing to have a conversation with God and to offer whatever that person is wishing for.”
School Grants & Scholarships coordinator Kevin Reimer converted to Catholicism within the last year. Before that, he was an ordained minister for many years in the Presbyterian Church. “It’s impossible to be a pastor or chaplain without prayer,” he said. “Even though I’m no longer a pastor or chaplain, the habit endures. The people of God are suffering. One of the greatest gifts we can bestow upon another human being is intercessory prayer. It is my privilege to be involved.”
Another prayer companion, Kristin Dievendorf, said she joined the group for many reasons. “I truly believe that prayer is powerful. We have a God who loves us deeply, intently, profoundly,” she said. “When life is difficult, He cares. For those who are in places of desperation and need, it is hard sometimes for them to find the words. By offering intercessory prayer, I have an opportunity to be a voice and support for folks in need. By offering their intentions through my daily prayer, I am helping lighten the spiritual burden along with my fellow prayer companions. We are all stronger with each other.”
Dievendorf works as the Family Life & Natural Family Planning coordinator for the Diocese’s Family/Respect Life Ministry. Soft spoken and filled with faith, she explained what it means for her to pray on another’s behalf.
“When I pray for others, I sense God is pulling me out of my tunnel vision and growing my heart, deepening my gratitude, and showing me a path of mercy,” she said. “To pray for others, to will for their good, and to imagine their circumstances means that I am being transformed and renewed in my baptismal call to be a sister to others. We are one family in Christ, and as a family, we keep the needs of others at the forefront of our hearts and become more like the people God is inviting us to be. I believe that God is hearing these prayers and working through all things for good.
“I am humbled by the breadth of hardship, the depth of humility, and yet the courageous hope many in our communities are bringing to us,” she continued. “It reminds me that none of us can carry the weight of the burdens of the world alone, and yet Jesus modeled the disposition of broken servitude for us by carrying His cross for us. I continually pray to the Holy Spirit to lift these intentions and to speak life into the hearts of our petitioners and the loved ones they are asking prayers for.”
If you would like to submit a prayer request, please visit https://syracusediocese.org/prayer-intention. Your prayer(s) will be added to a monthly distribution list that is sent to the Prayer Companions Ministry members.
