Let's make a saint: Prayer to Micah Joseph Kim

Photo credit: Paul Kim/Instagram

Like millions of people around the world, I spent the Christmas holidays glued to the Instagram feed of Catholic American speaker Paul Kim, anxiously awaiting updates about the status of his five-year-old son Micah, who was on life support and fighting for his life. We were praying for and waiting on a miracle for 11 long days, and I can’t even begin to imagine what they must have felt like for Paul and his wife.

My family was in the midst of our own health trials this Christmas season, so I felt we were united to Paul’s family through our shared suffering and sudden grief. There is something special about our Catholic tradition and how it addresses suffering; not as something to be avoided through Christ, but a way and invitation to participate in with Him and rejoice.

In my wayward atheistic years, I truly believed the Catholic faith offered an easy way out of life’s struggles. That thought now makes me laugh and realize how naïve and misguided I was. I see Catholics suffering around the world, in my parish community and my own home. Nothing about the Christian life is easy; instead, it’s beautiful, blessed, miraculous because we know God is with us in our darkest moments.

In a video following the death of his sweet boy – born into eternal life on December 31, 2025 – Paul declares how thankful he is to be Catholic. To be given an identity and tradition enriched with the sacraments, saints who intercede on our behalf and the ultimate reason to hope and rejoice in all circumstances: Christ himself. While each of us has our own path to Calvary, we know that we do not walk it alone. Christ led the way and we can only pray for the grace to bravely take up our crosses in life and follow Him.

While, like many, I do not know Paul and his family personally, I felt drawn into their lives and their pain. Though we were all praying for a miracle, I have no doubt Micah’s parents finds comfort and solace in knowing their beloved son has been reunited with his Heavenly Father.

My prayers have switched from fervently praying for Micah and his recovery, to now asking for his intercession to take my prayers to Jesus, with whom I know he is resting. And so can you. As part of our beautiful Catholic tradition, we know that the saints are working on our behalf as part of the Church Triumphant. Through God’s grace, we have hope to one day join them too.  

We know that Micah has reached eternity. His dad is proudly sharing miracles he’s already at work on from heaven bringing people who have been touched by his short life closer to God. Though I cannot begin to fathom the grief of a parent who loses a child, it’s here, on the cross with Jesus in the midst of suffering, where we find the true meaning of Christian hope.

I’m including the intercessory prayer to Micah below. His father asked that if you do receive answers to your prayer to message him.

Micah Joseph Kim Prayer

(For private devotion) Lord, we thank You for the example of Micah Joseph Kim, whose short but radiant life reflected your joy and goodness to all those around him. We ask for the grace to grow in childlike faith, hope, love, and purity of heart as Micah did; and that the following intention would be answered through his intercession: (Mention your specific prayer intention) We ask this through Christ Our Lord, Amen. Our Father., Hail Mary, Glory Be. Conclude with the St. Michael Prayer (Micah’s favourite) Saint Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle. Be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray; and do thou, O Prince of the heavenly hosts, by the power of God, cast into hell Satan and all the evil spirits who prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen. Micah Joseph Kim, pray for us.