We have been praying the 3 AM Prayer since November 24, 2024.
Before that time, I had spoken with my spiritual advisor because I kept waking up at 3 AM. Night after night, it continued happening, and honestly, it was beginning to drive me a little crazy. She gently suggested that perhaps God was asking me to spend some time with Him during those hours.
One night during prayer, I felt called to begin praying not only for individuals, but for the nations of the world.
I had often heard that each nation has its own guardian angel, so I began researching the countries of the world and discovered there are more than 195 recognized nations. Then I realized something else: there are 365 days in a year, with leap years adding one more. After doing the math, I realized I would be able to pray for most countries at least twice each year.
There was the beginning of the plan.
Privately, I had already been praying for the sick, the souls in purgatory, and others carrying burdens in silence, so naturally those intentions became part of the prayers as well.
Then one day, while my husband and I were walking through the streets of Chicago, we passed someone bent over and clearly struggling with drugs. To be truthful, I was nervous walking those streets. Had my husband not been with me, I likely would have stayed in the hotel.
As we walked, my husband quietly mentioned that as Christians, it is our responsibility to care for our fellow man. His words struck me deeply. In that moment, I realized the prayers also needed to include those living on the streets and the families who love them.
Later, I began hearing more and more about young people struggling to find where they belong. Around the same time, my youngest son asked his girlfriend to marry him, while I also kept hearing conversations about declining families and fewer children being born.
Those intentions became part of the prayers too.
And so the 3 AM Prayer slowly evolved over the course of the year.
As the year was coming to an end, I found myself in St. Ann Church. As I often do, I was taking pictures of images of Jesus for the website because of another calling I have felt for years: to help people contemplate the many faces through which Christ has been portrayed throughout the world and across generations. Over time, I expanded this to include the Holy Family and the saints as well.
After Mass, while I was taking pictures inside the church, a gentleman noticed me and asked what I was doing. I explained the website and how I photograph sacred images so others might pause, reflect, and contemplate the face of Christ more deeply.
I also told him about the 3 AM Prayer and how we had spent the year praying for every nation in the world. Then I admitted something honestly: I was not sure whether I would continue into another year. I had not seen many visible responses and wondered whether any of it had truly made a difference.
He responded with great sincerity and encouraged me to continue.
He told me that even if I could not see the fruits myself, the good being done was seen in Heaven.
That conversation stayed with me.
Because of that moment, I continued the prayers into this year despite all the noise, difficulty, and unexpected turns life has brought.
Thank you for continuing to pray with me.
God bless.
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