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Don’t Mess with St. Jude

by Richard Poe
Thursday, October 11, 2012

8:06 am Eastern Time
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588 Comments

ST. JUDE is the patron saint of lost or desperate causes. You pray to St. Jude when you have nowhere else to turn. You pray to him when you are trying to do the impossible. You pray to him when all the odds are against you. That’s where I am now. That’s why I’m praying to St. Jude.

In the past, I never would have written an article like this. My pride would have prevented me. In the past, I would have prayed first, then decided what to write later. I would have waited for the results of my prayers. If the results pleased me, then yes, I might have written something about them. But if the results displeased me, I would have kept silent.

In effect, I was bargaining with St. Jude. I was trying to make him a deal. “Answer my prayers, and I will give you free publicity,” I was telling the saint. “But, if you don’t answer my prayers, you’ll get nothing from me.”

St. Jude places a special requirement on his devotees. When you pray to him, you are supposed to publish the results. You are supposed to tell people what happened.

It’s natural for people to bargain. But bargaining doesn’t work with St. Jude. He’s not a businessman, and he doesn’t need your business.

What St. Jude requires is loyalty, devotion and obedience, with heavy emphasis on the word obedience. St. Jude places a special requirement on his devotees. When you pray to him, you are supposed to publish the results. You are supposed to tell people what happened. You are supposed to tell them what the saint did for you. There are all sorts of ways to spread the word about St. Jude. You can do it the old-fashioned way, by word of mouth, or you can post messages on the Internet. But, one way or the other, you must spread the word. In so doing, you inspire others to pray to St. Jude. At least that’s the theory.

If I have learned one lesson, after nine years of praying to St. Jude, it is this: You cannot bargain with this saint. You cannot sit in judgment over him. It is not our place to judge whether St. Jude has answered our prayers to our satisfaction. When we pray to St. Jude, we must publish the results, whether we like them or not.

READ ABOUT MY NINE-YEAR JOURNEY WITH ST. JUDE

With this article, I am going one step further. I am announcing my novena to St. Jude in advance, before I have even finished it. This is the fifth day of my novena. There are four days to go. I have no idea how St. Jude will answer my prayers. I have no way of knowing if he will answer them at all. I do not know if my life will be better or worse when this novena is done. I do not know if my path will be clear or whether it will remain hidden from me. But whatever happens, I will announce the results on this blog.

I am praying for a nine-day miracle. I am praying for a turnaround in my fortunes. I am praying that my little publishing company Heraklid Inc. will succeed, and that I will earn enough money from my books to get back on my feet. And I am praying that St. Jude will make crystal clear, by the ninth day of this novena, whether or not he has chosen to grant my petition.

Whatever happens on the ninth day, I will announce it on this blog, even if it seems like bad news. I will trust that St. Jude has his own good reasons for doing what he does, even when I don’t understand his reasons. And I hope and pray that, whatever happens to me and my wife, and to our struggling little company, be it good or ill, that our story may serve to instruct and help others.

Related Articles

March 17, 2014
Faith is Persistence: Results of my Latest Novena

March 5, 2014
My St. Jude Saga Continues

October 16, 2012
An After-Action Report on my St. Jude Novena

October 11, 2012
Don’t Mess with St. Jude

July 5, 2012
My Nine-Year Journey with St. Jude

Comments

588 Responses to “Don’t Mess with St. Jude”
  1. Mel1 says:

    I believe in St Jude and YES he answers prayers. Thank you St Jude.
    When I was 18yrs I needed a job and did the novena, I was granted a job and I know without a doubt that the prayer had worked.
    Twenty Five years later I believe I need this prayer, St Jude please answer my prayer once more.

  2. LB says:

    I have been praying to St. Jude since mid-October for assistance in a custody case. St. Jude answered my prayer on 11/13/2020 as I did not lose full custody; however in 6 month we stand in front on the judge again, so I will continue to pray the novena prayer daily, and a rosary for St. Jude. I have faith in him, St. Joseph, and the Virgin Mary that they will intercede in this. That this was just a test to strengthen my faith.

  3. Alice Jackson says:

    I’m on the second day of my first Novena and I want to thank St Jude for hearing my prayer.
    I know St Jude will answer my prayers. Thank you St. Jude. I will share my thanks with others.

  4. Amber says:

    St Jude answered my prayer for help with my health over 10 years ago and I’m now petitioning him again for swift aid. I am posting this announcement in keeping with my commitment to publicly recognize St Judes intercession on my behalf.

  5. Heather says:

    Day 8 of my novena – thank you St. Jude, you have answered my prayers so many times in the past that I know you will help me now. Bring comfort to me, you know what it is I need. Thank you

  6. Earl Einstein says:

    4 years ago St. Jude granted my prayers for passing the board exam and getting my ex back. Right now, I am praying for a sign. My ex left me for someone else after almost 9 years of our relationship. Supposed to be our 9th anniversary should be this coming Dec. 9. However, she left me for someone else.

    I am praying that if she is not the right person for me, please heal my broken heart and if she will come back, give me a guidance if I should still take her or not. We broke up in really bad terms. She became a deceitful person. Looking for guidance again from St. Jude, Mama Mary, and Lord Jesus Christ. I started praying today. Whatever happens, I will accept it.

  7. Lisa says:

    I had little understanding of st jude 7 day candle until now.
    I did not give the 7 to 9 days I lit when I could.
    It is down to the very end and I must say he spoke thru out it all. Alot of popping noise to the very end.

    Yes prayer has been answered early on even if short lived.
    I have more respect for the prayer today.

  8. david says:

    I have prayed for my sisters health as she need s a miracle . I will put this here because ur supposed to after u are finished. B ut i will be back hopefully to let all know that this prayer. miracle has happened as i promised i would. i will let everyone know . hope to be back very soon

  9. Biddy says:

    I have said novenas to different angles for the virus St Jude was one of them so I don’t know who answered,

    My prayers so I’m doing a novena only to St Jude will let you know.

  10. Caroline D’Souza says:

    St. Jude has been my patron saint and has always granted me my intentions all over these years! And I know he will grant me my intentions this time too. Thank you st.Jude.

  11. Carol says:

    This my first time praying the Novena to St Jude, day 1. I do not know what the results will be but what ever Iaskfor whether it is positive or not, will be according to God’s will. I will not lose hope and continue to belive in miracles.

  12. Thandi D says:

    Thank you St. Jude for your prayers to God on my behalf. My prayers have been and will be answered again

  13. RAN says:

    I know St Jude answers prayers. Am doing my prayers to him as I believe one day he will fulfill my prayers.
    Thanks St Jude!

  14. RAN says:

    I know St Jude answers prayers. Am doing my prayers to him as I believe one day he will fulfill my prayers. Thanks you St Jude!

  15. Michele Patterson says:

    First day of prayers to Saint Jude, I will continue to pray daily not knowing outcome. I hope that he can assist me
    In my time of need. Thank you

  16. Lucy B says:

    Dear St. Jude. I want to thank you for prayers answered in January 2020 and 2021 to keep my HK family safe as well as Karmina during these difficult Covid times. Again THANK YOU St. Jude.
    LB

  17. KJ says:

    I am in the middle of my novena to St. Jude for my Mother who we just found out has a mass in her lung. She is very sick right now. She was totally fine 2 months ago. This all came out of nowhere and is absolutely devastating. I am praying many prayers and a couple of novenas. I hope God helps us. Thank you

  18. Carlos says:

    Hi my name is Carlos I have received the best news ever I have been trying to have a baby I’m married to my wife for 7 years but regardless of our efforts to get pregnant my wife had no idea what to do were both healthy just not sure what to do so I have faith in St Jude and I started praying for him to give me a child and here iam 7 years later having my first child tank you saint Jude I will always be loyal to you

  19. John says:

    In 1982 I needed a special request and prayed to St. Jude for something that seem impossible. He answered my prayer and I started a 30 year career, met my wife and started a family. He is truly miraculous!!

  20. Future Namacha says:

    It is the second day of my novena to Saint Jude. Whatever the results will be, I will come back to publicize them.
    O’ Holy Saint Jude, please hear my prayer.

  21. d says:

    2ND DAY OF NOVENA TO SAINT JUDE.

  22. David says:

    I am praying to saint jude for my ex and i to rekindle. It ended Abruptly and without warning during a very difficult time and many misunderstandings. I have changed my outlook on life in many respects, and suddenly turned to st Jude. I used to wear his medal all the time but stopped for years after becoming agnostic. I feel guilty for this. I promise to wear the medal and tell my story once this prayer is answered, as i have faith that it will Be.

  23. Nancy says:

    This is my second day praying to St Jude to heal my husband’s lethal cancer. Thank you for your help St Jude

  24. John Whitmore says:

    I too am praying to St Jude. He has infact answered all of my prayers this far to some degree. I know that patience is a virtue, and his blessings will continue to reveal themselves.

  25. Grace says:

    Praying to St. Jude is very comforting. I will update.

  26. OZ says:

    I kind of get upset with him. 🙁 , 😉 I prayed to him and things got worse. I prayed for the health of my brother and he became worse, and he developed other problems. I prayed for a guy that I liked that God may make things clear if it would be something in the future, and he blocked me. I prayed for clarity for my profession between MD and PHD, and I ended up choosing another one that its similar to MD. And this outcome its the one that I liked mostly.

  27. Emmanuel Augustine says:

    came across this website after my third day doing the novena and I started again after downloading the prayer app. I am battling an occultic affiliation which my suppose friends initiated me into without my consent. Today is second day after starting all over again and I promise to keep spreading the word about St Jude, I can’t wait for my prayer to be answered. Oh St Jude, help me in this desperate time. Amen.

  28. Susan says:

    Thank you St. Jude for helping my son and I. And for interceding my prayers and sending them to Jesus and our wonderful Father in heaven. My prayers were answered. Forgive me for not thanking you and posting this earlier.
    I will pray to you again, and to thank you on the 9th day, without waiting so long.

  29. Jklamer says:

    Dear StJude I’ve come to you many times and never have failed me. This might be one of the most important one yet. I need to pass a physical for me to have this wonderful job that is in front of me. If it is Gods will for me not to pass, please help me get through this. I have faith and always will. For anyone reading this do not be afraid to give and open your heart to Jesus and StJude. I come with a humble heart please hear my heart. God bless all of you. Wishing you the best for a happy and healthy year.

  30. Kenneth Peakman says:

    I’ve known of St. Jude and his power to bring assistance in times of need, my whole life. This is my first novena, and I will accept his blessings and trust in his wisdom. Thank you St. Jude for walking beside me in this dark time.

  31. DIANE M GEISTMANN says:

    I have been praying to St Jude for 5 days to help find my missing dog or to find out if she is dead or alive. So far no results but I hope I will see results.

  32. Gianna says:

    I prayed to st.Jude when my daughter was in the hospital with pneumonia, she was transferred to ICU and he answered our prayers and she was brought to health. I’ve prayed to st.Jude while in deep depression and desperation and he brought me out of the depths. I am so thankful to st.Jude, Jesus & god!

  33. Jc says:

    St jude is a Saint that always answers. Call on him if your in need

  34. Susan says:

    I have been making the novena to St Jude. Some prayers were answered by the one I need the most has not. You’re supposed to post what happened so there it is. I’m broken hearted.

  35. Sally says:

    I am praying to St. Jude to have my information verified and to make sure the process goes through so that I can get my membership money returned. It was supposed to take a couple of days, but it’s been much longer, so I’m praying to St. Jude. Thank you in advance, St. Jude, for helping me.

  36. Tess says:

    I’ve been praying the Novena of St Jude for 3 days to have my now ex sign my unborn baby’s paperwork after he agreed to have baby.

  37. FrankO says:

    I have prayed my Novena for 9 days and I want to thank St Jude for hearing my prayers for financial blessings.
    I know St Jude will answer my prayers.
    I will share my thanks with all.
    Thank you St. Jude for bringing me closer to God, this to me is the greatest gift of all.

  38. Marilyn says:

    I prayed to Saint Jude to allow me to have a daughter at the time I have three boys and what I wanted for anything was a daughter. I’m not sure whether this was an appropriate prayer or not but I know that there was no other way that I could make it possible to guarantee getting the daughter, so I said a prayer and I promised him that I would tell others that he was the reason I received my baby girl. My sister told me that wasn’t a request as she had gone to him for so when she said that it had been eating the weather not a vengeance, was taken on me for that request because so many other things have not been great in my life. I didn’t know if I was being punished. I will definitely be saying another prayer to Saint Jude for forgiveness if that wasn’t an appropriate request but also for him to give me another chance. I definitely believe in miracles and forgiveness so I pray it works. And if I was not wrong for asking him for what I did, then I am saying right now once again, publicly thank you Saint Jude.

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