One of my writers at Canticle, Carol Paur, sent me this link to a St. Joseph novena (a 30-day prayer that you offer for a specific intention, through the intercession of a particular saint). St. Joseph’s feast day is March 19, so if you want to do this one, you better get started!
Like every rote devotional practice, the key to this kind of prayerful intercession is placing yourself securely in the hands of the Lord, and offering him your intention without dictating the terms. These kinds of spiritual exercises are not the “gumball machine” variety — put in a prayer, get what you ask for. Rather, they are a humble acknowledgment of our child-like dependence on God, as well as how much we need our older brothers and sisters in faith to look out for us.
I find these kinds of prayers give me a valuable perspective. Alone in our prayer closet, the temptation can be to become so self-absorbed and petty. Litanies like these remind us of just how BIG the family of God is, how deep and how all-encompassing. Seen in that light, whether or not we get a job we can trust that God WILL provide.
Litany of St. JosephLord, have mercy. Christ, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Christ, hear us. Christ, graciously hear us. God, the Father of Heaven, have mercy on us. God the Son, Redeemer of the world, have mercy on us. God the Holy Spirit, have mercy on us. Holy Trinity, One God, have mercy on us. Holy Mary, pray for us. St. Joseph, pray for us. Renowned offspring of David, pray for us. Light of Patriarchs, pray for us. Spouse of the Mother of God, pray for us. Chaste guardian of the Virgin, pray for us. Foster father of the Son of God, pray for us. Diligent protector of Christ, pray for us. Head of the Holy Family, pray for us. Joseph most just, pray for us. Joseph most chaste, pray for us. Joseph most prudent, pray for us. Joseph most strong, pray for us. Joseph most obedient, pray for us. Joseph most faithful, pray for us. Mirror of patience, pray for us. Lover of poverty, pray for us. Model of artisans, pray for us. Glory of home life, pray for us. Guardian of virgins, pray for us. Pillar of families, pray for us. Solace of the wretched, pray for us. Hope of the sick, pray for us. Patron of the dying, pray for us. Terror of demons, pray for us. Protector of Holy Church, pray for us. Lamb of God, who take away the sins of the world, spare us, O Lord!. Lamb of God, who take away the sins of the world, graciously hear us, O Lord!. Lamb of God, who take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us. . V. He made him the lord of his household. R. And prince over all his possessions. Let us pray. O God, in your ineffable providence you were pleased to choose Blessed Joseph to be the spouse of your most holy Mother; grant, we beg you, that we may be worthy to have him for our intercessor in heaven whom on earth we venerate as our Protector: You who live and reign forever and ever. R. Amen.
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Life on the Road Less Traveled 
My parish prays this Novena each Wednesday. Thank you for sharing your perspective (2nd & 3rd paragraphs) on what a Novena is all about! It helped me understand the idea a lot better.
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I am so tired of looking for a job please help me receive a job soon as possible. Have mercy on my soul.
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Interesting article! I have to say I usually take time before the novena and put down specific things to ask the lord.
For example I am about to start one for a job, I have shared with the lord the things on my heart about things that I am hoping for about this job, such as a short drive of about 45 minutes, a friendly enviroment that may have other cathoic believers working there, for a job that I can physically and mentally due since I have some things that are getting in the way of me doing many jobs at the present moment, and other requests like that. Though I leave it open to Lord and put it into his hands, you would be surprised when you write these things down, how many times the lord will answer the prayer, and this is a great way to boost your faith and keep a copy for times you need to remind yourself of what the Lord has done.
I usually am very specific with the Lord, and he usually answers it in a very specific way.
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