It’s not just some good luck charm before a big play in a game. And it’s not just some sign as visible as an ash on your forehead to point out to everyone that you’re Catholic. It’s a prayer. And it’s one of the most powerful prayers you can make.

We must recognize that no matter how many virtual conferences or Instagram lives or Mass live-streams we attend, it will never be enough. But my friends. Do not grow complacent. Do not mistake this for the norm. We were made for more!

Pretty often, my friends and I will ask for each others prayers over specific situations in our lives, asking for certain virtues or strengths that we need. And it’s wonderful for friends to pray for each other. But, today, I present the idea of taking a step further.

In life, we will come across many “losses,” and we have to know what to do and how to react to certain situations. When life hands us “wins” it’s pretty easy to praise God and fall on our knees quickly to give thanks.

If you have, or currently have these questions in your mind and heart, where life right now feels quite overwhelming and nothing makes sense, please know that your questioning is valid and even has a name. Dear reader, you have been lamenting. Lamentation is also a form of prayer, often referred to as a prayer for help that comes from a place of deep suffering and pain.