In the past few weeks, I’ve watched a lot of my friends hit their breaking points – whether it be from illness, the stress of homework, roommate drama, our impending finals, or even the prospect of what we want to do with our lives. It’s been hard. It’s always tough to see the people you love hurt, and it hurts even more to know that sometimes there really is nothing you can do to help. With all of this pain and struggling surrounding us, it has been difficult for me to remain positive – for myself and for those around me.

The other night, I spoke with a friend about how it felt like everyone around me was falling apart. He held my hand and told me to stop analyzing everything and trying to fix everyone else’s problems, and just to pray. Pray? As a busy college student, especially one who has not had the strongest faith relationship in the past few years, I hadn’t considered the idea of stepping back and putting all of this chaos into someone else’s hands. But he insisted, and that’s just what we did.

At first, it was weird and uncomfortable. Verbalizing such intimate wishes and concerns was strange to me; I felt vulnerable. I didn’t have my blanket of sarcasm anymore, and with him gripping my hand, I couldn’t walk away. So we offered up our gratitude, our concerns, and our wishes. He spoke his out loud, whereas I was warming up to the idea, so I prayed internally. When he first spoke, I felt rigid; but as he poured out his love, I felt a weight lift off my shoulders. This vulnerability led me to a peace of mind. I left that night with a lightness that I hadn’t felt in a long time.

So for all those college students feeling anxious, lonely, stressed, or even those of you who are perfectly content, close your eyes and say a prayer. Don’t analyze or try to comprehend life to fit it into little boxes. Relax, and know that someone else will take care of that for you. Whatever you may say, offer it up and know there is someone listening. Here is my prayer for you:

Thank you, Lord, for the people you have put into my life. I am grateful for each of them, for all of the unique gifts and quirks each has to offer. You have a plan for every one of them, and I pray that they come to realize someone does have it all figured it out.

Please grant them peace of mind and the ability to forget their worries and focus on the future. Will you protect them from the things I cannot and allow them to soar without fear of failure?

For those who have struggled or been hurt, please heal their scars and offer them guidance in their journey. But I ask that you do not let them forget their pain; remind them that pain is what pushes us towards the future and motivates us. Darkness is pain, but show them that your light is ahead.

And I am sorry for the times when I have doubted you and for when I have not been proud of you in my life. I know that you have infinite love for us, even when we wander. Let me realize and celebrate this unconditional gift.

Lord, finally, give me the strength to offer love to each of my friends and to hold their hands in this journey. They are the best people in the world, and all I want is for them to succeed and find happiness within themselves.