If one of your resolutions for 2019 was to pray more, and we hope that’s the case, then there is no shortage of intentions as the new year opens. We have a few suggestions just for the month of January.

As you receive this, more than 200 Catholic bishops from throughout the United States are on retreat  at Mundelein Seminary near Chicago. Pray that the Holy Spirit’s presence and guidance is powerful as our bishops — successors to those apostles who gathered in the upper room — consider all that’s ahead, including how to rebuild trust among the faithful as questions continue to revolve around their handling of clergy sex abuse.

At the same time, in Indianapolis, thousands of young Catholics from across the nation will begin the new year in prayer at SEEK 2019, sponsored by the Fellowship of Catholic University Students. They could use our prayer support as they seek to encounter Christ and discover their vocation. The same prayer support is needed as, later this month, youth from around the world will gather with Pope Francis for World Youth Day.

So many pro-life pilgrims could use our prayers as they make their way to regional and national marches in mid-January.

That’s just a start. Let’s all pray more, including in thanksgiving for the gifts that every day of this new year will bring. — Thomas J. Dermody