Opening the drawer: Turning to St. Anthony for guidance in prayer

by Monica Pugh | May 8, 2026

I currently find myself chest deep in totes and boxes full of cards, various kinds of memorabilia, and clippings I did not know existed in my parents' home. Following the decision to sell my childhood home came the whirlwind of emptying closets and opening drawers I had not opened since I was a child.

“Tell me about all these things in your nightstand, Mom,” I wish I could say. Instead, I have been given the opportunity to discover things I never knew about my mom, dad, and extended family. It has kind of been like I am on a treasure hunt for lost things I did not know still existed.

St. Anthony of Padua is the saint most often recognized as the patron of lost things. He intercedes as people ask him to look around and find what has been lost. He lived his life as an exemplary teacher and preacher performing a few miracles, devoted to baby Jesus, and fervently praying to seek God’s will for his life. His work and writings earned him the title of Evangelical Doctor of the Church. We can also turn to him to learn about prayer.

St. Anthony taught that prayer with God includes opening our heart, having affectionate conversation, presenting our needs, and giving praise and thanksgiving. To him, prayer was not just reciting words but having a loving interaction where we come to deeply know God’s affection. He taught that persistent prayer brings four spiritual fruits of brightness, agility, subtlety, and immortality giving transformation to our souls. St. Anthony believed prayer, coupled with humility and the sign of the cross, was a powerful weapon against temptation. Putting off prayer is a temptation to always guard against.

Prayer is the disposition of turning to God in loving familiarity and intimate conversation.

But how does this loving familiarity happen? As I have grown in wisdom and understanding of God, I have discovered he knows everything about me, even the things I have not discovered about myself yet.

Opening drawers in my mom’s dresser was something I did as a child out of curiosity with permission. But as a grown adult it seemed no longer appropriate to see what she treasured without permission. I have so many questions now. I am discovering the answers by myself, more than likely with inaccuracies. Even in conversation, I could not have known the innermost thoughts of my mom’s heart.

But this is not true with the Lord in prayer. We enter into prayer and allow him to look inside the deepest drawers and tucked away treasure boxes in our heart. In prayer, we give him access to our inner most thoughts and desires. And then, it is there where we learn he already knows us. He knows all the good and the bad things we hope to hide away forever. Opening our souls in prayer is acknowledging our minds and thoughts towards God’s grace and good will. 

In prayer as his children he comforts us, guides us, heals us, and gives all the things meaning as he gently closes the drawers with his love.