The Power of Prayer

Michelle Nott reflects on how prayers have helped her and her family. 

One recent morning, I found myself in the waiting room at the hospital ... again. My daughter had an endoscopy scheduled, and with it hope that we will get some answers as to why she has been getting so many headaches and stomachaches.  

This girl has had a few surgeries and procedures in the past, so I’ve gotten used to waiting in the hospital and waiting for answers. As I was getting ready to head to the hospital that morning, I found myself praying that things would go smoothly for my daughter and for answers. 

Thankfully, all went well with her procedure, and we will get the rest of the results soon. I don’t know what they will show or whether we will get the answers I am hoping for. But I do know that even if we don’t, my prayers still make a difference.  

Prayers are powerful. It might not seem like it at the time. And sometimes our prayers aren’t answered when we want them to be. But this doesn’t mean we don’t receive any graces from them. 

Staying Consistent with Prayer

Last month, many writers from Catholic Mom shared on Instagram how prayer has helped their families. I had every intention of contributing to the project, but then time got away from me. So I decided to write my article on how prayers have helped my family instead.  

I think it is important to note that while our intentions may be good, life does get busy. And just like my reason for not sharing my Instagram story on prayer, time does get away from me when it comes to my own personal prayer life.  

“Time got away from me today, so I neglected my prayers.” 

How often does that happen to you? 

 Sometimes I get so caught up in the busyness of life with kids that I forget to say bedtime prayers until one of my kids gets up to tell me we never said them. And while I may get annoyed that they’re out of bed (because I think that is part of their motivation), I also can’t get mad at them because they’re right; our prayers are important, and I did skip them.  

Prayers that Have Helped Me  

Life can get incredibly busy and overwhelming. Which is why it is important that we do make time to pray each day, especially when we are busy. Even if it is just a quick prayer “God, please help me get through this day.” 

One prayer I saw suggested on Instagram was “God, get into my head before I do.” I have been trying to pray this in the morning before I start my day, especially if I notice that I was cranky the day before. 

It is also important to understand that as with most relationships, it is normal for our prayer life to have its ups and downs. I have had so many moments in my life where I was upset about something and just stopped talking to God for a little bit. Those were also periods of time when I noticed I wasn’t as happy or as fulfilled in my life. Obviously, we want to try to have a strong prayer life. But God also understands that life happens and that we fall away at times. When we do, He is always there to talk to us again.  

The Prayer that Helps at Bedtime 

One way prayer has helped my family is at nighttime. My husband is in the military and as a result, there are times when he has to go to military training. I have noticed that when he does, my oldest son has trouble going to bed. He starts to worry about bad guys coming to our house or monsters in his room.

One of the ways I help him calm down is by praying the Saint Michael prayer with him. My son knows that Saint Michael is one of God’s soldiers, and that prayer helps him feel safe. I have done the same with my daughters when they get scared at night. It might not always solve the problem, but it does help them calm down! 

I grew up praying the Saint Michael prayer after Mass on Sunday morning, and it has become one of my family’s regular bedtime prayers, or the one prayer we do say if we realize we did forget to say the other prayers and choose to just say one that night.  

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Copyright 2025 Michelle Nott
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