One another, 20C

August 17, 2025

Jeremiah 38:4-6, 8-10; Ps 40 (39); Hebrews 12:1-4; Luke 12:49-53

Friends in Christ, God invites us to hold the needs of our sisters and brothers as dear to us as our own needs. Loving our neighbors as ourselves, we offer our thanksgivings and our petitions on behalf of the church and the world:

For the Church: that we may be transformed by the fire of the Spirit into a dynamic community of faith and give witness to God’s abiding presence and action in the world: let us pray to the Lord.

For this community of faith: that the Spirit will raise a sense of urgency within us to share God’s love and mercy with all who have no direction in life: let us pray to the Lord.

For the grace of perseverance: that God will strengthen us in times of conflict and suffering so that we may remain faithful disciples: let us pray to the Lord.

For a renewed inspiration: that as we recall the witness and example of the women and men who have gone before us, we may be inspired to offer witness in our society to the Paschal mystery: let us pray to the Lord.

For all who speak the truth to power: that they may faithfully witness to the truth without succumbing to pride, self-centeredness, or being judgmental: let us pray to the Lord.

For all who are suffering for their discipleship: that God give them strength, console them when they are rejected, and help them to respond with love and forgiveness: let us pray to the Lord.

For a spirit of gratitude: that we may appreciate all the gifts that God has given us and become rich in those things that foster life and love: let us pray to the Lord.

For courage: that the Spirit will empower and sustain us even when the fruits of our pursuit of the truth yield division and confusion: let us pray to the Lord.

For families which are divided or in conflict: that God will help them to hear and understand one another and find ways to support each other on life’s journey: let us pray to the Lord.

For all teachers and administrators as they prepare for the coming school year: that God will give them wisdom, patience and understanding for each of the students with whom they will work this year: let us pray to the Lord.

For young people who are heading off to college, particularly those going away for the first time: that God will guide them as they adapt to being on their own and help them to make wise decisions and many new friends: let us pray to the Lord.

For all who work in public safety: that God will guide them in their service and protect them from all harm: let us pray to the Lord.

For all who have been impacted by violence or abuse: that God will heal their wounded spirits and memories, help them find places of safety, and help restore a spirit of trust within them: let us pray to the Lord.

For greater understanding of God’s creation: that God will guide us in understanding the interrelationships of our environment and help us be good stewards of creation: let us pray to the Lord.

For all recovering from storms or floods: that God will comfort them in their loss, give them strength, and open the hearts of many to be generous to them: let us pray to the Lord.

Hear our prayers, God of power, and through the ministry of your Son free us from the grip of the tomb, that we may desire you as the fullness of life and proclaim your saving deeds to all the world. Amen.

References

-United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. (2025bt, August 17). Twentieth Sunday in ordinary time. USCCB. https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/081725.cfm

-Cormier, J. (1995). Lord, Hear Our Prayer: Prayer of the Faithful for Sundays, Holy Days, and Ritual Masses.

One another, 19C

August 10, 2025

Wisdom 18:6-9; Psalm 33 (32); Hebrew 11:1-2, 8-19; Luke 12:32-48

Friends in Christ, God invites us to hold the needs of our sisters and brothersas dear to us as our own needs. Loving our neighbors as ourselves, we offer our thanksgivings and our petitions on behalf of the church and the world:

For the Church: that God will renew and deepen our faith so that we may be confident that God is always present and accompanies us along each step of our journey: let us pray to the Lord.

For a deeper appreciation of life: that we may celebrate each day as a gift from God and live it fully with our families and loved ones: let us pray to the Lord.

For a deepening of faith: that our hearts may be open to the witness of our friends and mentors who have gone before us and draw strength and courage from them: let us pray to the Lord.

For the grace to remember: that we may be conscious of all the good things that God has done for us and allow them to inspire us to greater generosity: let us pray to the Lord.

For rootedness in God: that we may recognize that our deepest desires can only be fulfilled in relationship with God and thus spend our lives seeking God’s reign: let us pray to the Lord.

For better stewardship: that we may fulfill our responsibilities with love and diligence so that our efforts may glorify God: let us pray to the Lord.

For all who exercise leadership in the Christian community: that they may be watchful and attentive to the signs of God’s movement within the Body of Christ: let us pray to the Lord.

For patience: that we may have the grace to wait upon God, even when answers do not seem clear, and confidently trust in God’s love and providence: let us pray to the Lord.

For the better use of our time: that we may faithfully and diligently use the time that God has given us so that we may be found faithful and bearing much fruit: let us pray to the Lord.

For spiritual freedom: that we may not be held bound by our possessions but see them as gifts from God for our good and that of others: let us pray to the Lord.

For all who have lost faith: that the Spirit of God will renew their hearts and open a new springtime of faith so that they come to a new relationship with the living God: let us pray to the Lord.

For all whose faith is tested, particularly those being persecuted or leaving home for the first time: that they may rely upon God for strength and draw upon the values that they have learned in making decisions: let us pray to the Lord.

For all whom church leaders have abused: that God will heal their painful memories, free their hearts from the wounds and fears they carry, and open new ways for them to grow and live life fully: let us pray to the Lord.

For migrants and refugees: that God will guide them in their search for safety and lead them to communities that are warm and welcoming: let us pray to the Lord.

For all who are in need: that God will give strength to all who have lost homes or possessions in storms and flooding, sustain them as they rebuild their lives, and open the hearts of many to assist them: let us pray to the Lord.

Hear our prayers, God of power, and through the ministry of your Son free us from the grip of the tomb, that we may desire you as the fullness of life and proclaim your saving deeds to all the world. Amen.

References

-United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. (2025br, August 10). Nineteenth Sunday in ordinary time. USCCB. https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/081025.cfm

-Cormier, J. (1995). Lord, Hear Our Prayer: Prayer of the Faithful for Sundays, Holy Days, and Ritual Masses.

One another, 18C

August 03, 2025

Ecclesiastes 1:2, 2:21-23; Psalm 90 (89) or 95 (94); Col 3:1-5; Luke 12:13-21

Friends in Christ, God invites us to hold the needs of our sisters and brothers as dear to us as our own needs. Loving our neighbors as ourselves, we offer our thanksgivings and our petitions on behalf of the church and the world:

For the Church: that we may recognize our dependence upon God for all things and let go of our attempts to control our own lives: let us pray to the Lord.

For deeper understanding: that the Spirit of God will increase our awareness of the beauty and power of the New Life we hold that is hidden with Christ: let us pray to the Lord.

For conversion of our hearts: that we may lay aside lying, greed, and selfishness, and live as children of God: let us pray to the Lord.

For a spirit of gratitude: that we may appreciate all the gifts that God has given us and become rich through words of faith, attitudes of hope, and deeds of love: let us pray to the Lord.

For a greater sense of the common good: that we may recognize that God’s gifts are for the benefit of the whole human family and never allow them to become idols that control us: let us pray to the Lord.

For freedom from anxiety: that we may never be seduced by the illusions of wealth, fame, power, or control, nor allow these to dominate our lives: let us pray to the Lord.

For an end to discrimination: that God will help us recognize the dignity of each person and never judge them on appearance, status in life, nor cultural origin: let us pray to the Lord.

For spiritual directors and therapists: that God will guide them in helping others to recognize their gifts, their vocation, and the deepest truth that God has planted in their hearts: let us pray to the Lord.

For all who bear the burden of poverty: that God will sustain them each day, open new opportunities for them to use their gifts, and open our hearts to be generous in their time of need: let us pray to the Lord.

For all who live in the midst of violence: that God will break the cycle of violence, protect them from harm, and bring peace to their communities: let us pray to the Lord.

For all families that are divided by inheritance and financial issues: that God will help them recognize the value and dignity of each other and guide them to a resolution of their conflicts: let us pray to the Lord.

For all teachers: that as they prepare for the coming school year, God will inspire them with ways to assist each of their students and help them to promote the growth and development of each of them: let us pray to the Lord.

For all who find life burdensome and lacking meaning: that God’s Word will touch their hearts and open before them the beauty and value that God unfolds each day for us: let us pray to the Lord.

For wisdom and inspiration for government and legislative leaders: that God will give them insight into the true issues and the needed steps for change to promote the welfare of everyone: let us pray to the Lord.

For peace: that God will open new opportunities for dialogue between national leaders, increase their concern for the common good, and free them from the constraints of their egos: let us pray to the Lord.

Hear our prayers, God of power, and through the ministry of your Son free us from the grip of the tomb, that we may desire you as the fullness of lifeand proclaim your saving deeds to all the world. Amen.

References

-United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. (2025bp, August 3). Eighteenth Sunday in ordinary time. USCCB. https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/080325.cfm

-Cormier, J. (1995). Lord, Hear Our Prayer: Prayer of the Faithful for Sundays, Holy Days, and Ritual Masses.