(2425 1st Sem Dr Borja) Share by writing a short prayer about your crosses and the graces you need. by Office of Campus Ministry [LS]

2024-08-23 14:49:04 UTC

I am starting a business soon and I fear that it might not be successful, and I might just waste the trust and support that my parents gave me. However, knowing that Lord is with me in every step that I take puts me at ease. Being aware of His presence allows me to be more confident and to ultimately believe in my dreams and I.

2024-08-24 04:22:56 UTC

I am currently anxious about the state of my current academic affairs. I fear that I might not be able to finish on time or even finish the course I started with. I pray that the Lord can lift these worries of mine so that I can be more courageous when facing these obstacles and be able to perform at my peak

2024-09-02 16:44:05 UTC

The future scares me. What does God have in store for me. As I approach my final year in Ateneo, I go into the real world soon. It feels like there are so many possibilities, but also a lot of uncertainty. I still don't know what I'll be doing after college and that's what I find scary. Although I have my family by my side, it's still different to approach a part in life which I have no experience in. I know that God has a plan for me, but I also hope that it's in line with my expectations of a good life.

2024-09-09 14:21:10 UTC

I hold so much resentment in my heart against my sister. I know that she is trying her best to reconnect with me, and I know it is my turn to accept her invitation. But it is very hard for me to forgive her. I need the Lord's guidance to be like Him. I want to learn to love like Him. I want to fix my relationship with her, but I am also the one who is preventing it from fully healing. This is something I have been working on and offering to Him for the past 3 years. Slowly, I have been able to let go of the negative emotions I held on to. I know that one day I will be able to love my sister like God loves me.

2024-09-10 01:37:34 UTC

I want to be perfect for God, but I keep failing all the time. Because of this, I’ve become more distant and afraid that I can’t live up to His expectations. I’ve started to feel like a hypocrite, believing in Him but not always following through with what I should be doing. I also think I have been doing many things out of fear more than love. I don't know how to reconcile that disconnect, especially when I don’t agree with certain things in the Bible and what other Catholics say. I still believe in God and I desperately want to be closer to Him, but the distance I've created makes me feel lost. I just don't know where to start. Lord, please grant me understanding so that I can find my way back to You and strength to come as I am, even if I’m not perfect. Please help me trust that You will meet me where I am and guide me in this journey, Lord.

2024-09-10 03:21:35 UTC

As someone who is grade conscious and often likes to feel validated through academic success, I am anxious for the challenges and potential hardships that could be in store for me this semester. With that in mind, I trust that the Lord has a plan for me and for each and every one of us, and that He will guide me throughout all of my endeavors. I pray that He will help me to maintain my strength and perseverance, and that He will motivate me to not give up and to keep a positive mindset all throughout.

2024-09-10 13:41:39 UTC

I am as well afraid of what this world has to offer me once I leave Ateneo. I have many dreams for myself, but how can I achieve them when I lack motivation to continue working hard in college. Even if I try my best to work on tasks, do quality work, etc., I always end up falling short. I am anxious that one mistake now may have a huge impact on my future, though I know that this is only a learning experience and it will allow me to become a better individual. But how will I continue striving and dreaming for myself if I am not confident with everything that is happening. I have to entrust my problems to the Lord because I know that once I become successful, it won’t only be me who will benefit, but I also aim to share my talents and blessings with others, letting them feel that God may not be within us physically, but He is with us through the people around them just like me.

I believe that praying to the Lord for His grace can help me overcome my cross. I need the Lord’s grace of motivation and discipline to develop my work ethic and be consistent in doing my tasks. And of course, being productive and avoid cramming, because this is what I always do for years. No matter how hard I try to split the tasks, I end up doing all of it nearing the deadline. I also pray that I have to improve my perseverance in being focused on my goals no matter what and be optimistic about the progress and the future. Praying for his guidance is all I need because I firmly believe that He won't put you into place that is not good for you and is not for you.

2024-09-10 14:27:00 UTC

I don't really know what I want while it feels like all my peers have a direction or hope. I feel like everything will be okay at the end, but right now I feel like an empty husk. I feel like I should be thinking more about the future than the present, because it feels like my future should matter more -- but I do not feel that sense of urgency. I stress more about what is infront of me rather than what is ahead of me, and that current feeling makes me stressed as well.

2024-09-11 16:41:36 UTC

I feel very hopeless with life so far. I honestly don't know what I want to do with my life still and sometimes I feel like giving up. I would usually ignore feelings of dread but there are times when there are no amount of distractions that could make my worries go away. I pray that the Lord guides me into knowing my passions in life.

2024-09-12 06:59:44 UTC

For so long, I have always been the "strong independent" woman many people around me knows. It sounds good, but truly, I have no choice. I have lost my parents and I am the eldest among my siblings. So I have to be strong amid all the challenges and responsibilities I have. But to be honest, sometimes I am also afraid that I am making the wrong choices, that I could have been better, or that I am supposed to be doing something else. Everyday I pray to God and tell him that I entrust ALL my life and all of me to Him. All I always ask for is guidance because I can never be absolutely independent. I need Him in every moment of my life as I face, embrace and overcome my crosses.

2024-09-12 11:12:32 UTC

Losing a loved one (my grandmother) is already hard in itself; but seeing my mom's pain as she loses the mother she loved so dearly is really a challenge that is not easy to bear. My mom and I have always had a loving relationship; but in this painful season of our lives, I am making it a point to show her extra care and love just so I can ease her pain a little. For me, the cross I carry is the mission to ease my mom's burden. I ask for the grace of God to comfort us during the days filled with grief, and to continue blessing us with strength as we learn to navigate the world without our family's matriarch.

2024-09-12 14:45:20 UTC

Each day is a miracle granted to me by God. I've already am experiencing health issues related to my asthma and I am thankful that I still have to live the life I have. I know God is watching me, and I would like to entrust to him things aren't on my reach, the things that would be more reliant on luck, rather than my efforts. I'm not asking to win the lottery, but I ask for good health, and in guidance to be better, whether it be through opportunities and in relationships.

2024-09-12 16:12:26 UTC

Recently, my two older sisters moved away from home. Since they left, I've been feeling more lonely than usual and have a hard time figuring out how to fill my time more meaningfully. I pray that God grants me the grace and courage to help me mature and discover new parts of myself in this stage of my life where I'm learning to become more independent <3

2024-09-12 16:33:16 UTC

Being tasked with different responsibilities and changes are some of the things that I am currently bothered by. From having huge responsibilities in my extra-curricular activities to being trusted by my family to do well in school, I am very aware of the trust and expectations that these different people have given me. However, sometimes I doubt myself if I am worthy of the trust they give me. I see many things within myself that I can do better at in general, and I want to do so to deliver not only for those who trust me but also for my self-trust & sanity. There are instances when I fall short, and I am fully aware of it which always destroys my self-confidence as I know that others can do what I do at a much better standard.

To face these obstacles, I must not look to others and just focus on my own self-growth. Also, I can entrust these struggles that I have to the Lord given that I am currently in control of my life without asking God where He wants me to be in the future. I know that once I raise these up to Him, He may not give me the answers that I want, but it would give me a clear direction of where I can be headed.

2024-09-12 19:48:53 UTC

Some thing that has constantly been on my mind is the anxiousness and weariness that comes with me trying to juggle academics, orgs, business, and relationships with friends and family. I just do not want to disappoint any of these aspects and always show my positive side. However, it's been hard to do this lately with the increased amount of workload and time needed from all of these aspects, especially with my family. I feel like I haven't spent as much or even contacted them as much over the past few months. So, I ask the Lord to grant me His grace and love that I may be able to go clear my mind toward my priorities.

2024-09-13 01:24:20 UTC

I’ve been told a lot that junior year is the “make-or-break” year, and so I’ve been feeling quite anxious about it. As of now, I’m dealing with the responsibility of balancing multiple commitments: academics, org work, and thesis work. While these commitments give my life meaning and fulfillment, they do get very overwhelming. Sometimes, I just end up staring at my ceiling not knowing which task to focus on. With Him around, I hope I am granted the grace of focus and kindness to myself (which would hopefully enable me to share the grace of kindness with others as well).

2024-09-13 02:29:12 UTC

I feel like I've been living life on autopilot for the last 3 years. I find myself questioning my lack of motivation to excel in my academics when others seem to want it so much. Even when I do happen to do well, it doesn't really give me a sense of fulfillment anymore. I feel like my intense fear of failure has stopped me from trying new things or even just committing to a passion.

I pray that God may grant me the courage to face my fears and find my passion in life.

2024-09-13 04:10:15 UTC

The future seems so distant and bleak. I feel anxious about today. Will my efforts of today pay out in the future? What if everything I do will eventually just be a waste. I am asking God for more courage and tenacity as I face everyday. I pray to Him that he grants me more strength so that I am able to face the hardships of each day with trust that someday, I will be able to live a good life.

2024-09-13 05:23:36 UTC

I am a shifter so I have accepted that I will get delayed in graduating, however some times I often feel that I am left behind and that I am a failure. I have not found something that I am passionate about and it scares me because what if I don’t find it and I live my life without doing something that I passionately enjoy. I pray to God that he may help me understand the path that He has laid upon me and that I may find something that I am passionate about and that this thing could also be a benefit to others.

isabellamendiola2 — 2024-09-13 09:34:34 UTC

When it comes to feeling anxious about studies, it's like carrying the weight of constant pressure—worrying about grades, deadlines, and balancing everything else in life. It’s overwhelming to think that one mistake or failure could affect my future. The cross I’m carrying now is this fear of not being good enough, not meeting expectations, and letting down myself and others. What I wish to entrust to the Lord is this burden of uncertainty and self-doubt. I need the grace of peace and trust, trusting that He has a plan for me and will guide me through the challenges I face. I also need the strength to embrace my cross and the courage to face each obstacle with faith, knowing that through perseverance and God’s help, I can overcome them.

2024-09-13 10:24:30 UTC

I am passionate at what I'm studying and doing, but I am not as smart as others. I fear that this path may not be for me, no matter how much I hope it is, because I am only mediocre. I believe that this path is both what I want and what the world needs, but I guess I am just scared if ever even this much passion and love and dedication will account to nothing, or it will account to something but not in the way that matters. I hope the Lord grants me peace and acceptance with things I cannot know yet, or I do not have any control of.

2024-09-13 12:03:53 UTC

I know I must become a 'grown-up' soon and each year in the past I have have had this worry with me and each year I feel inadequate. I am afraid to not be able to do it well enough like everyone around me. I may not be very religious, but if I was then I would ask the Lord to grant me the strength to trust in myself as He would trust and love me, I must acknowledge the coming change and try to cling on and perhaps come out the person I hoped to always be every year before.

2024-09-13 12:52:51 UTC

I've been thinking a lot about what comes next after my university life and it scares me. I don't know if I'm going to be good enough for work once I graduate. Sometimes the uncertainty of it all makes me anxious. I don't know what I'm good at and I don't know what it is I want to do. I also feel like I'm currently not doing enough for my future. It seems even my sense of identity is not as stable as I thought it was.

Been struggling with commuting back and forth to school :(

2024-09-13 13:01:28 UTC

2024-09-13 13:07:23 UTC

To be honest, I am quite uncertain with my future. I am not sure if my positions in my organisations or my intern experience are good enough to qualify for a job once I graduate, since there are a lot of people who are better than me. I am also unsure whether I meet my parents expectations since I think I am not placing enough effort since everything is so overwhelming at the moment, and I think that they will resent me for my efforts. All these make me anxious since a single mistake can cause my future. I hope that the Lord continues to give me the strength to carry my cross and embrace each obstacle with faith and perseverance.

A Prayer on Privilege and Relationships with Other People

2024-09-13 13:20:15 UTC

One thing that my life as a student has taught me is that God is always there to bring opportunities where I can remember my humanity, even if he can’t always control the external problems I face. For context, the past two years have made me realize that I seem to be but two quarreling “sides”: (i) the privileged side, who is able to go beyond the expectations of his professors, the school system, and his life-giving training for a scientific profession; (ii) the other guilt-ridden side, who urges me to somehow “empathize” with those who struggle in and dwell in negative beliefs about this system. Unfortunately, I find it difficult to reconcile these halves of myself until now, as I encounter problems that are simply outside of my control or even that of God Himself (e.g., smart-shaming culture, no opportunities for scientists, loneliness). Yet as I accepted His call from time-to-time to be led to people whom I can seek help from (e.g., my best friend Martin, OGC, my professors), I gradually became more aware of my issues, and God helped me remember the aspects that make me human (e.g., compassion toward the poor, willingness to educate other students).

Now, I pray to God to have the weight of my crosses lifted from me, and the “crosses” (root causes of my suffering) that I pray for Him to remove are the following: (i) my inability to deeply relate to my family’s business projects, my classmates’ hatred for their own course, and my friends’ preferences; (ii) my unaddressed tendency to feel entitled with one’s own beliefs, to become self-centered in the face of criticism, and to be controlled by one’s own privileges; and (iii) my refusal to acknowledge the beliefs, efforts, and cultures of other people whom I find difficult to understand from my points-of-view. In addressing these crosses through my courage and trust in God, I also pray to Him that He guides me each day so that I am able to move out of my own walls and become a person of others. I pray that He guides me (i) to become a more open listener to my family, professors, and classmates regardless of their beliefs; (ii) to engage in more activities (e.g., tutor, writer, leader) that enable me to share with and serve others together with my friends; and (iii) to be on better terms with my professors, my family, and my classmates by learning, listening, and supporting them in any way I can.

2024-09-13 13:42:56 UTC

I've been feeling more anxious about my future after college these days. I've recently decided to let go of a path I thought was for me. I fear that I may never be able to find my purpose, or at least things I will truly find meaningful that I will tirelessly pursue it. Though I've been catching myself in these moments, reminding myself that I should be more compassionate towards my own being and to be less anxious about the future- as I'm the one making it. I'm grateful for these moments of grace, and I pray that I may continue to hope and choose things that makes me alive.

2024-09-13 14:25:20 UTC

I can't find myself to forgive my dad for leaving. I know he tries. And I know that if I knew him as a man who thought it was never too late to chase their dreams, he would 100% have my support. But I don't, instead I know him as my dad who left when he realized the life he already had was not good enough for him anymore. Don't get me wrong, I still wish he thrives, and I hope he finds whatever it is he's looking for. I just never wish he had a family to begin with if this was what he's always wanted anyways. I'm not really sure what graces I would need to overcome this, other than to embrace acceptance. He was a good dad before this, and because of that I will forever be grateful. I guess all I can really ask for, is strength but not to overcome my cross, rather to help me accept and continue on.

2024-09-13 14:31:36 UTC

I am currently anxious about the state of my life right now. I feel like I need to do well in my academics but at the same time, I don't want to worry too much about it because in the end, it's about the skills you learn from the subjects. Also, in the past, I could visualize myself doing a job under the course I am currently taking. However, I am now anxious about my future in this course. I like this course but I am not confident in my abilities to succeed. I pray that the Lord guides me in reigniting my passion in life.

2024-09-13 15:45:41 UTC

For me, one thing looming over my mind ever since entering college and choosing my course would be the job opportunities and chances I'll get to encounter after graduating. Given what I heard from the graduates of my course (Chemistry - Material Science Engineering) and the not-so-positive outlook of the job market in the Philippines, it is a long term problem that i have to worry about in college. I believe that God has guided and aided me with my decisions and helped with what i wish to become in the future

2024-09-13 16:02:33 UTC

I live in a constant state of anxiety for everything. I've forgotten what it is like to live a life without anxiety, because it feels as though I was born with it. This cross makes it so difficult to function as it tends to get in the way of a lot of things, even including this Padlet post which took everything I had to publish.

At this point, I don't know what to ask for anymore, because I know I've asked for so much. So I'll just focus on what I can do and see where it goes.

2024-09-13 18:23:06 UTC

I feel a deep sense of purposelessness in my life. I am not so sure where I'm headed, if I'm headed to anywhere at all. This lack of direction terrifies me, especially since I began my college years here in Ateneo strong and confident knowing which path I plan to take. I wish for guidance, reassurance; for somebody to tell me that I am doing okay, despite it all.

2024-09-13 18:25:13 UTC

Lately, I haven't been sleeping well due to the sudden influx of academic requirements as well as my personal commitments to organizations and to my loved ones. A while ago, I suddenly felt panic about what I wanted to do as a vocation in the future. "Do I want to pursue a career with the course I'm currently taking? Do I want to continue studying along the undergraduate course I took? Is there really a point in studying so hard just to be less accomplished and financially unstable compared to the people who were already affluent in the first place?" These questions plague my mind once in a while, and at times, these thoughts vividly resurface. I do not mind carrying these worries with me as I also want to resolve it on my own in due time, but at the same time, I want to be able to feel a sense of respite from busy-ness of life and entrust my cross to the Lord. All I ask from Him is a sign that makes me feel that my worries and suffering are valid, and that He is with me always, through my lows and highs.

2024-09-13 19:05:12 UTC

I would say that my ability to continuously strive for good grades within the Ateneo is something that I definitely feel like I shoudl entrust the Lord. Another cross that I am currently carrying is my personal

2024-09-13 19:07:15 UTC

I feel like the way wherein I am trying to keep my grades acceptable to me as I am progressing into third year in the Ateneo, as well as my lack of ability to becoming more flexible is definitely some of the things that I would classify as a cross I am currently carrying. I would also say that my current spiritual life, as I undergo a rough patch with regards to my belief is another cross that I find myself to be carrying.

2024-09-13 20:22:20 UTC

I have been having difficulty being happy. There are moments that I laugh and smile, but I'm filled with anxiety almost all the time. I try my best to find meaning and do things that give my life meaning but I always fall back to that sense of lost. I feel that I am not trying hard enough and that I can push myself more, but at the end of the day when I am in the situation I feel like have lost control of my life. I pray that the Lord guides me in finding light to overcome this.

2024-09-13 21:17:28 UTC

As someone from not a financially well off family, it's a constant struggle for me to think that I am not doing well enough to be worthy of parents' money. I always felt like a burden because most of their salary will be placed to sustain my tuition. This is the cup I hope Jesus could remove or help me cope from.

2024-09-13 21:58:00 UTC

I'm in my last year of university. I was never the one to be anxious of what's to come next; I'm pretty certain of what I am passionate about, but now knowing how exactly I'll get there is a burden I carry. I wonder how I can extend more grace to myself for not living up to my own expectations.

2024-09-13 22:28:02 UTC

I have so much pent-up rage and regret. Studying as a scholar in Ateneo, I thought my life would be easier, because the weight of the financial burdens, which have plagued my family since I started school, will be alleviated. However, I realize how harder it is to keep up with a school where majority are rich, and the expectations are easier met by those with abundant resources. The lack of compassion I've experienced is unbelievable; professors not accepting being tardy by a single minute when you were only late (by a single minute) because the LRT broke down, professors asking you to come to school even when it's raining hard, etc.

2024-09-13 23:10:32 UTC

I am currently in the process of looking for an internship but it has been quite a challenge since I have little professional and organizational experience. So at the start of this sem, i took on a leadership position in 2 of my orgs. It was a blessing to be accepted to both of these, but I become anxious when I think about the additional workload these roles bring, not to mention the ever-increasing workload in my academics. Right now, I need guidance from the Lord that I make the right choices in my career path and that He gives me strength to perform all of my responsibilities.

2024-09-13 23:36:26 UTC

One of the crosses that I need to surrender is my sense of pride. It is more on the aspect of boasting about the things that I have. The boasting aspect is more leaned toward a dialogue discussion. Sometimes I would want to speak, speak, and speak. It became a form of the cross for me. This became a pain to carry because when I become prideful, I become unopen to changes. I became more self reliant in some aspects. Simply, there are things that were simply out of my control. Yet I was reminded to always surrender it and be more, and more, and more humble.

2024-09-13 23:47:02 UTC

I am feeling an intense burden on my shoulders caused by my parents expectations on me to provide financially even now as a student. It is really bothering how them make me feel like I am responsible to pay back what they have done for me despite it not being my choice to be born. I just want to pursue what I want to do and enjoy life. Although I am also planning to help my family when I graduate, I just do not like the pressure and constant reminder that I am in debt to them because I think it is not a responsibility of a child to financially provide for his parents, rather it is a voluntary demonstration of love and generosity. I pray that God may help my parents see me clearly as an individual with my own goals and aspirations, rather than a financial investment and that may He free me from the intense pressure from my family.

2024-09-13 23:58:24 UTC

I feel anxious because I am still uncertain of my career path and plans for the future. I am the eldest among my siblings, and growing up, the pressure and expectations were on me to succeed. It felt like there was no room for failure, especially since I am a scholar. I pray to God for guidance to discern well and make the right decisions, as these do not only affects myself but also my family. I pray for strength to overcome the challenges I face each day. I also ask the Lord for the ability to see and appreciate the value of seemingly mundane things in my everyday life.

2024-09-14 00:31:46 UTC

Lord, I pray for your guidance as I enter my 3rd year of college. Although this will be my most challenging year, I know that you will grant me strength to persevere over any difficulty I may face. I also ask for your help in making me a more responsible and healthy person. Because my workload is piling up, I need your help in keeping my balance, in work and life.

Thank you for always watching over me and blessing me throughout my life. I ask that you may continue to do so, as well as bless my loved ones. Amen.

2024-09-14 00:46:33 UTC

I have been having difficulties balancing my academic load right now, as well as physical well-being. I have been having moments of doubts in my abilities whether I could ride out the wave of these challenges or not. But I'd like to entrust these crosses to the Lord, that He may guide me to be able to overcome these challenges. I also take comfort from the fact that despite how hard things may be, the Lord is with me---he has never left my side and that he's cheering on me. I pray for the tides to wane, and for my physical health to be restored.

2024-09-14 01:45:01 UTC

I tend to be overly self-critical which I associate myself with a lot of negative aspects. While I do practice self-care, I always find myself crumbling in the face of failures and weaknesses. I always find myself questioning my strengths and achievements. It has been my struggle ever since and it's a repeating cycle that I can't seem to shake off. I always pray for the grace of self-love and acceptance so I can view myself more on a positive light.

2024-09-14 14:55:18 UTC

My previous experiences led me to where I am now, and I am honestly proud of myself for getting this far. However, it hit me recently that I had way too much responsibilities on my shoulders that I am starting to feel their weights on me, and it scares me because there is the possibility of this delicately built sandcastle of mine to fall. I believe God placed where I should be right now, but I couldn't help but feel the intensity, the weight of this cross.

In God's name, I pray for fortitude and grit to carry this cross successfully until I reach my goals, or at the very least I pray for wisdom to learn valuable insights and lessons so that I may be able to recalibrate and reorient myself in how I would like my future to be.

2024-09-14 16:22:07 UTC

I fear that would not be able to reach my goals and dreams in life. Ever since I was young I was always the type to set goals in life. While I would not verbally share this, I always knew within myself that I have always wanted to achieve what I had in mind. Oftentimes I would even set my dreams too low in order to not feel pressured or startle myself to achieve this. However, recently I have began to observe that despite the efforts to keep my expectations low I still am not able to achieve what I want in life. I know that everything I want isn't always intended to happen, however, I still have struggles accepting this. I hope that I would be able to learn how to trust God with his plans and learn to surrender myself to him.

2024-09-15 00:57:44 UTC

For the past years I have been facing the storms, it was only recent when I (hopefully, this time) permanently saw the light. I have crosses in all facets of my life: my family, friends, boyfriend, and career. I am a natural quitter. If I find something hard, I would refuse to face it. But after everything I have been through and with the help of people God relayed to my life, I was able to learn how to fight. I was able to learn how to carry my cross as it leads to something good - as it always is. Currently, I pray that God would shed more discipline and courage to me as I continue facing this path. May the Lord give me the resilience and consistency I need as I go through this life.

Crosses and Graces

2024-09-15 03:38:46 UTC

Everyone, upon first glance or encounter, seems to have it all figured out — not a hint of what problems they have on their faces, masked by the smiles they have etched on their lips. However, behind a person's every expression of happiness, whether forced or not, lies their heap of conflicts and tribulations that makes living difficult — their crosses that burden and bruise their shoulders in every labored step they take in moving forward with life.

From there, some of the crosses I bring with me are my academic requirements, organization responsibilities, familial issues, strained relationships, financial difficulties, and troublesome personality. Although it is obvious that there are crosses that consistently necessitate my time and effort in lightening their "weight" in my life as to convert it to character growth, there are likewise crosses that I need not to worry excessively about — and it is the latter type that I wish to let go and let God lift off of me and take care of.

Given this, I pray that God may give me the strength to brave and persevere through the storms in my way, especially in times wherein I feel like giving up and running away, as well as the confidence to approach and talk to God like I do with a friend in both good times and in bad ones. I also pray for Him to help me surrender to Him some of the crosses that are not mine to carry in the first place, to place my trust on His most capable hands when it comes to things and situations that meet my limitations and exceed my control. Finally, I ask for His unwavering guidance in leading me back to His embrace through my vocation, for His unfaltering light that illuminates to me what the world needs and what I can offer to suffice it — I am still afraid of what uncertainties the future holds in store for me, and I am praying for God to hear my silent pleas about it and to offer me some kind of continuous reassurance that everything will work out in the end.

2024-09-23 09:43:35 UTC

I am currently feeling pressured to attain the QPI required for cum laude, as I have less than two years left here at the Ateneo. I pray that the Lord grants me the wisdom and focus to perform my best in every subject. I also pray that the Lord guards my heart against the tendency to compare myself to others.

2024-09-24 11:04:28 UTC

I am still adjusting to my responsibilities as a student, a dried, a lover, a daughter, sister, and a hustler all at the same time. sometimes i feel empty despite all the shoes and roles i have to fill. I forget that I am not alone in this journey and forget that i dont have to continuously prove myself to everyone just to be loved. I need to take time to remind myself that the Lord loves me and has made me perfect in my own way. I don't need to keep pressuring myself to be better in bette3r in such short increments.

2024-09-25 03:32:29 UTC

I have a high level of anxiety for the future, bolstered by past failings. I initially entered college very optimistic and hopeful for my future, but as failure after failure brought me down I am much less confident in my abilities to excel in the future and cope with potential obstacles. I need the grade to see the small wins compound into bigger wins in my daily life to regain confidence in my ability moving forward.

2024-09-25 14:37:55 UTC

I feel like I've been stretching myself too thin lately and because of that, I've been letting down the people I love and care about. My drive to be better and achieve the goals I set for myself seems like a good thing but when I think about how it affects others, suddenly I have second thoughts. I pray that I can find the answers I'm looking for through God's guidance.

2024-09-25 15:48:36 UTC

The lack of direction and motivation weighs on me daily. It feels like I'm standing at crossroads, unsure of which path to take, and no matter how much I want to move forward, the drive just isn’t there. At this point, my canvas calendar nearly always dictates what I will do each day. I often feel stuck, unable to tap into the “energy” needed for me to discover what I am passionate about — leaving me in a cycle of frustration and self-doubt. I entrust the Lord to be my guide. Wherever He will take me, I know that I must accept it.

2024-09-26 02:00:50 UTC

I am losing the motivation and strength to do the things I used to be passionate about. As a result, I do not put love in my work and I instead become cynical about my life and the things I do. I pray that the Lord gives me the guidance and strength I need to put love in my work again and reignite the passions I had.

2024-09-26 06:38:06 UTC

I have not been happy and I mean genuinely happy in a long time. Perhaps because life is moving too fast or because the rapid changes happening to me in an instant, or maybe because it's my overthinking brain or maybe because I am alone. This mentality bleeds into other aspects of my life such as academics and it ends up taking a hit, which will then lead to me wasting the opportunity my parents & God has given me. But I know deep down that there is no such thing as a rejection but a divine redirection into the right path, so I guess I'll have to wait & see...

2024-09-26 14:08:50 UTC

For the longest time, ever since I shifted to a new (and significantly more difficult) course, I felt like my life has never been the same, in a bad way. I always feel like I'm behind in everything, and seeing my classmates get better grades or have more energy for both excelling academically and being active in extra-curriculars has made me feel ashamed of myself. I felt like that I should be as good as I was in highschool or gradeschool, but I feel that I've reached my peak and it's only downhill from here. I try not to let it bother me, but this is a struggle that I'm too afraid to open up about, especially to my parents, who are keen on moving me to another school that is closer to where I live, as they believe I'm having a hard time in Ateneo. ADMU is my dream school, and I am living in constant fear that my struggles with my own mental health and my ability to maintain passing grades will inevitably take that dream away. I ask for the grace of God to enlighten my path, and whether or not I am making the right decisions on insisting on my stay in this school. I pray that God does not leave my side during every exam that I take where I know that I studied hard. I hope that God will also grant me the courage to rise again after I fail or fall down.

2024-09-27 06:52:34 UTC

I am in between thesis and night shift work. I get out of my shift at 6am then go to school for my 8 am classes. I'm saving up for the future with my Fiancee and for my Father's surgery bills and my Thesis costs. I am overwhelmed, overworked, and I am tired. But whatever God there is out there, I am hope you can see how much work I'm putting in for the people I love. I hope you can throw me a bone, a sign that I will make it. I pray that I make it, and again to whatever God there is out there I hope I can make you proud or anyone for that matter.

2024-09-27 08:22:37 UTC

The crosses I wish to entrust to the Lord are the financial burdens that have piled up over the past months. This has been such a heavy weight on my shoulder that is not easy to carry but knowing that God grants us opportunities as a way of His support then all I can pray for is that may He continue to help me fight this pressure that I feel to help settle all the debt.

2024-09-27 09:40:33 UTC

I am anxious about the future and what will happen to me once I graduate college. I am unsure of what career path I would like to take. Along with this, I am worried about my grades since I have not been doing well. I've been dealing with grief and loss of motivation, and I am blaming myself for not doing enough. In spite of all of this, I know that God is putting me through all of this because He knows I will come out stronger than ever. I am embracing all these challenges by putting my faith on Him; that everything will workout eventually, just as long as I try my very best every day and believe in myself.

2024-09-27 09:42:56 UTC

A cross that I currently carry would be my fears of the future. I believe there are so many things I hope to experience here in Ateneo but I have yet to. God can help me carry this cross by giving me the grace to overcome my fears, stay positive, hopeful, & motivated to get out of my comfort-zone, and believe in myself.

2024-09-27 10:59:58 UTC

The cross I wish to entrust most to the Lord is my duty as a friend. I want to be able to be there for all my friends no matter how draining it often gets. I want to be able to be a pillar of our community as a voice of reason, as an open ear, and as a companion. I ask God for the grace of emotional strength and wise judgement, that I can help my friends with what they struggle with and be able to handle it alongside my own struggles.

2024-09-27 11:11:06 UTC

Lately, I’ve been feeling unsure about whether the path I’m taking is the one God wants for me. I’m afraid that my decisions might not be in line with His plan, and this worry is heavy on my heart. The cross I want to give to the Lord is this doubt and fear about where my life is going.

I ask God for the grace of understanding and the strength to trust in Him. I pray that He makes my faith stronger so I can follow His will with confidence, and that He stays with me, guiding me as I move forward.

2024-09-27 12:36:29 UTC

I am currently lost in this world filled with unmet expectations and constant disappointments. I wish to entrust to the lord the path that I need to take, to once again make sense of where I am and where I need to be. I fear that the hatred, resentment, and weakness I hold in my heart will be the cause of my downfall. I pray that I may find the strength and courage to move past these struggles and challenges I have.

2024-09-27 13:37:40 UTC

I feel scared about what is yet to come. Since I always had troubles deciding for myself, I felt that I just go with the flow and stay in my comfort zone. However, this feels like a wall preventing me from exploring a lot of opportunities in front of me. I entrust my future to God and I pray that I will grow to become less fearful of stepping outside my comfort zone and I hope that I will grow to become the best version of myself no matter where I end up to. With that, I need God's grace to help me embrace and overcome my cross. I need the grace of trust, love, and goodness so that even before, during, and after my sufferings, I will always choose love and goodness.

2024-09-27 13:40:28 UTC

I feel that I am currently anxious that I am underperforming in subjects that are very essential to my course. I pray that I can work hard and the Lord can give me the strength and guidance to go through this harsh path and come out with good results.

2024-09-27 13:41:28 UTC

I'm graduating this year, which, in itself, comes with a lot of baggage and crosses. For one, I'm working on a solo thesis and I'm just not feeling secure in the direction it's going in. Secondly, I'm feeling the anxiety surrounding the uncertainty of my future and what I'm going to pursue after graduation. I still don't know yet, and by this point, I feel like I should know. I ask for the Holy Spirit's help in working on my thesis, and I pray that the Lord shows me and guides me to the path that's meant for me post-university.

My Sword and Pilgrim Staff

2024-09-27 14:19:15 UTC

Dear Lord,

Thank you for your faithful patience, grace, and guidance in getting me through such rough times before. I'm sorry that this made me stray away from you out of shame and wanting to give up. Thank you for the people you put in my life that became instruments of your love and the Holy Spirit's comfort. As I let go of the vices and desire to give up, I pray for your continual guidance and strength that I will truly let go of this "sword" like St. Ignatius gave up, and let me unwaveringly hold on to my "pilgrim staff" on to this renewed life of hope and purpose. May you make me an instrument of your love and will, Lord. May my life be pleasing in Your eyes. I love You, Lord :)

In Jesus' name, Amen.

"These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

2024-09-27 14:54:11 UTC

The uncertainty of the future scares me. Will I be able to do well enough in my academics? Will I be able to do what I intend to do? Will I be able to provide for me and my family? Will I be able to live happily when I become independent? These are just some of the few questions that plague my mind should I catch myself in one of those existential moments. I can only pray for solace and the power to trust in what God has laid out for me, and to guide me to do all that I can to do so. Sometimes however, I yearn for tangible solace and comfort, and luckily, I am continually blessed with people who love me like my friends and family. So as I pray for that comfort in knowing, I also pray in gratitude for the things that I have been blessed with.

2024-09-27 15:18:23 UTC

I am really tired this week because of assessments and family matters. I pray that may God lead me with understanding and strength just to push through with everyday regardless of what I am feeling.

2024-09-27 15:31:17 UTC

I think the crosses right now are those typical for a college student, honestly. A heavy academic workload and extracurricular workload since I am an officer in my org. However, those are "crosses" I've carried since high school. Recently, I've been noticing strains in my relationships -- whether with my family or my significant other. Sometimes, I neglect to see or consider their feelings or perspectives, and it eventually hurts both sides. I feel somewhat lost also -- I don't know what to do after college. I don't know if all the hard work I'm putting in will translate to something in the bigger picture, or something in the future. I think in terms of graces, I'm not too sure. At this point, I want to ask for clarity and direction. For God to somehow assure me that I'm on the right path, that somehow my dream of having a loving, healthy family of my own will happen according to God's plan.

2024-09-27 15:32:34 UTC

I have a lot of insecurities and lack self love, and it's been affecting my relationship with someone I love. It's hard and many times I just want to give up because of how much of a burden my suffering has become. I would like grace from God to simply continue and to persevere, because I know it's worth it in the end.

2024-09-27 15:45:57 UTC

I have been overcome with stress and anxiety regarding my grades and familial problems, and I am currently in a state where I am not able to properly think, eat, or find a way to make my life a little bit brighter.

I would like God's grace to give me peace, clarity, strength, and trust that He will help me out of the situation I am in.

2024-09-27 17:24:16 UTC

The cross I carry bears a heavy weight, able to feel the depth of things, pain and suffering that happen in this world. Although I embrace it, it still feels sharp to grasp such knowledge that so many innocent people, most especially children, are systematically and cyclically trapped under oppression. Whatever grace shall be given is one I shall embrace, because I myself do not know what I really need to overcome such cross. However, if I may choose one without risking being choosy, it shall be to strengthen further my will and drive for good change.

2024-09-27 17:49:38 UTC

I am currently taking up a lot of different responsibilities, and a lot of people are now starting to see my potential and are looking to see my growth. In my eyes, I feel like they have very high expectations of me, and I cannot help but feel insecure and pressured. This is validated whenever I make a mistake, or I just could not live up to a certain expectation in one moment. Which leads me to be disappointed in myself and me thinking that others are disappointed in me as well. I wish I can be more confident in myself and find the validation within myself that I am good enough where I don't have to keep an eye out for other people's expectations or at least my own delusions of what others think of me. I just wish I could let go and be free to make mistakes and live a carefree life without having to be so dissatisfied and disappointed in myself whenever I do something subpar or wrong. I need the Lord to help me in my own self-confidence and my own growth.

2024-09-27 18:29:23 UTC

With graduation approaching, I find myself anxious about my future and unsure of the path I should take. For a long time, I found comfort and support through my friends who shared in the joys and struggles of college life with me. With them around, I rarely faced my challenges alone and I was used to talking about these struggles with my friends. However, my personal struggles last year made me depressed and detached. I didn't want others to know what was wrong with me so I often felt disconnected since I pretended I was fine. I didn't want to burden others so I bottled up my emotions and kept them to myself, enduring it alone. Perhaps it would have been different if I opened up. But I felt that even If I did, it would only burden or inconvenience the other person. At some point, I even cynically thought that no one else has the time or energy to care about what others are going through since everyone else has their own cross to carry.

In a way, my experience is reminiscent of Jesus' experience in the Garden of Gethsemane. Similar to Jesus, I have crosses that I must bear on my own. Although I have friends and family who care for me, these personal struggles are something I must face with God alone. It took me a while to pull myself out of that depression, which is something only I could have done.

As I prepare for the next phase of my life, I hope to entrust my cross to the Lord. I hope to offer up my fears and worries about my future and pray for His guidance. I hope that He may guide me and lead me to the right way. Most importantly, to help me see the good and choose the more loving option in whatever I do.

2024-09-27 18:42:59 UTC

I have been struggling recently with finding motivation to finish my tasks and maintaining confidence in myself. It also gets difficult to enjoy the things in my life. I pray that I may find strength in myself and find the confidence to face my everyday challenges.

2024-09-27 19:20:09 UTC

My father does not have that much longer to live. He's now in palliative care and the best we can do is make him as comfy as possible. I know that the Lord is with me and eases a lot of the pain of facing the invisible and unknown timer. It is still difficult keeping appearances because of one's duties and commitments knowing that at the back of your mind, that you can come home with news you wish would never have to come.

2024-09-28 00:10:06 UTC

I am so worried, or rather confused, of what am I going to be after college. I don't know if I am in the right path. I don't know if I'll ever find the right path. All I know is, I don't want to disappoint my parents and loved ones. They have sacrificed so much for me amd I want do my very best to pay back those sacrifices.

For now, I trust in the Lord that He'll take me to a place where I am worthy and deserving of. He will not forget to care for me in all that I do. He will not forsake. I hope He gives me guidance in all that I do. May

I feel His presence in all that I do so I may not feel lost or confused.

2024-09-28 02:12:02 UTC

I often overthink about what may happen in the future. As someone who strives to be a physician, I recognize how long and challenging the next few years will be especially with NMAT and medical school applications. Fixating my mindset on the future sometimes derails my attention from the present, and causes me to overthink when I have assessments etc. I wish to entrust this pattern of overthinking to the Lord, so He may help me focus and take in what is happening day by day. I pray that He grants me the graces of confidence, humility, and trust in Him, as well as trust in myself, that I am capable of hurdling the challenges that come ahead, and that everything will happen according to His plan.

2024-09-28 03:48:52 UTC

Right now, I carry the cross of balancing various responsibilities—between work, personal projects, and the pursuit of personal growth—while also managing the weight of expectations, both internal and external. I wish to entrust these pressures to the Lord, seeking His grace for patience, strength, and clarity of mind to embrace these challenges without losing focus on what truly matters. I pray for the peace and resilience to persevere, trusting in His guidance as I navigate this journey.

2024-09-28 04:14:03 UTC

I am starting to realize that life is getting more real each day. And with this realization comes the pressure I have for myself to be successful in the future as I have always been an achiever since I was young. I do not want to disappoint others, but most especially, myself. These days, I keep on doubting my abilities and competence. I feel like I am not ready for what's to come. But with this, I ask Lord to accompany me as I traverse the new chapters in my life. I ask for guidance and constant encouragement. I ask Lord to erase all my doubts and fill me with confidence rooted from His love.

2024-09-28 04:37:14 UTC

The cross I carry is the deep feeling of being alone after losing my parents, and struggling with the uncertainty of life without their guidance. I entrust this to the Lord and ask for the grace of comfort in my loneliness, as well as strength to move forward without them, and faith to navigate the future with hope.

2024-09-28 04:37:43 UTC

I am currently in the midst of my most stressful year due to the amount of work and commitments I got myself into, and I might not be able to have full attention to my health, personal wellbeing and academics. I fear that I might gradually grow physically and emotionally weak, even mores because of the expectations that I placed for myself. Despite these, I hope and pray that God may be able to give me the strength and guidance to do what is right and good not only for myself, but for others around me, so that I can continue to grow as a person and be the help/support that I need now.

2024-09-28 04:40:39 UTC

I feel as if I am constantly growing due to the work and responsibilities I have placed upon myself. Much has been promised and much is to be expected but at the same time, I am finding it difficult to stay on top of all these. Feeling overwhelmed I pray that the Lord can continue to give me strength and a clear mind to get through this tough and pressuring time.

2024-09-28 14:13:35 UTC

I have so much anger inside of me that I know no one truly deserves to hear. I find myself to be a burden when I share my sufferings to my friends and family so I resort to crying myself to sleep. It's a cross that keeps on taking from me, that I don't know if there is anything else I can give

2024-09-29 11:09:03 UTC

The problems in academics and org life has given me a tremendous amount of stress and anxiety. That is why I pray to God, every single time that I am able, to deliver me out of this, to get me through this. I am tired, Lord, please help me and I trust in Your grace and mercy.

2024-09-29 11:13:15 UTC

I’m carrying the cross of struggling with failing my philo quizzes despite putting so much effort on it. In order for me to entrust this with the Lord, I am acknowledging my disappointment for not doing well and praying to the Lord with his guidance and wisdom asking Him to help me better understand the course and also reminding myself that my worth isnt defined by my academic performance and to stop being harsh on myself.

2024-10-04 10:20:23 UTC

I am anxious about who i want to be in the future because I'm scared if I will be successful and be independent. I'm actually quite scared to even find a job because of high expectations placed upon me

2024-10-05 11:41:03 UTC

I am dealing with insecurity after failed projects and not doing so well in my internship. Now, I struggle with choosing what path I want to take. I pray that the Lord shows me what I should focus on to achieve my dreams.

2024-10-05 13:55:01 UTC

I am struggling finding a new path in my life after facing failure. I am currently in the midst of a college life crisis, as I don't know what course to take and where I want to go. After having this fixated dream that I was going to do this certain course, now having regrets and resentment, I ask you lord to help me find my way that will make me truly happy.

2024-10-06 18:09:11 UTC

I worry for my future. As a junior student, I am starting to feel the gravity of adulting, as the time before I finally take a step in to the real world is rapidly running out. I don't know if I am prepared. I think this is the biggest cross I am carrying right now. I know there's no way to know and be prepared, but I guess what I need is His guidance and assurance that everything will fall in to their right place.

2024-10-10 09:12:31 UTC

I have a difficult time focusing on my studies, despite having to deal with the pressure of potentially being kicked out of my course. My crosses are my constant overthinking, sometimes spacing out for hours, thinking about ways I could improve as a person but not truly feeling like I am changing anything through action. God, I hope you can give me the grace of discernment, from where I am being the own cause of my suffering. I hope you can help me find the strength to do things out of love, and help me know how to do it for myself as well as others.

2024-10-12 02:45:12 UTC

I am anxious about my academics and what the future holds for me. I am constantly thinking about accomplishing all my tasks, and also about what I want to do in the future. I find peace knowing that God is with me always, helping me embrace my crosses and preparing me for what He has in store for my life.