A new prayer request feature at the Web site of the Diocese of Peoria has been launched as another way the Catholic community in central Illinois can draw closer to God through the helpful tools of modern digital media.

Visitors to the diocesan home page, www.cdop.org, can now access the prayer request page, called “Peoria Prays,” by clicking on an icon displayed prominently on the left side of the screen.

Prayer intentions in either English or Spanish can then be typed into a simple online form and submitted to the diocese.

The intentions are being collected daily by the four members of the Servants of the Pierced Hearts of Jesus and Mary, the women’s religious community now directing King’s House of Retreats in rural Henry.

“We receive the prayer requests and then bring them before the Blessed Sacrament one by one,” Sister Isabel Romero, SCTJM, told The Catholic Post.

For the sisters at King’s House, their participation in “Peoria Prays” is a natural extension of their ministry of prayer.

“As religious, our life is prayer,” said Sister Isabel. “This is a way to fulfill our mission as a community,” which she explained is to extend the reign of Christ and Mary’s loving hearts and rebuild society founded upon the love of God.

The sisters were humbled and overjoyed when Bishop Daniel R. Jenky, CSC, asked them to take part in the new ministry.

“Our relationship with the bishop is very warm,” said Sister Isabel. “He asked us if there is anything we needed. One of the most important things we need are prayers.”

That not only includes people who will pray for them, but people who have needs to be prayed for, Sister Isabel explained.

“People sustain us with sacrifices and prayers. It is only right for us to respond to them in this way,” she said.

Out of respect for people’s privacy, those who submit prayer requests do not have to include their names, and the prayer requests will not be displayed for all to see at the Web site.