One another, Easter4C

May 10, 2025

Acts 13:14, 43-52; Psalm 100 [99]; Rev 7:9, 14b-17; John 10:27-30

O God, your Son remained with his disciples after his resurrection, teaching them to love all people as neighbors. As his disciples in this age, we offer our prayers on behalf of the universe in which we are privileged to live and our neighbors with whom we share it:

For the Church, that we may recognize the voice of the Lord in our lives, distinguish it from the many other sounds which demand our time and attention, and follow the invitations of Jesus to a fuller life: let us pray to the Lord.

For all who have shepherded us, particularly parents, pastors, teachers, and mentors: that God will continue to work through them and guide them in helping others may grow: let us pray to the Lord.

For all who preach amidst opposition and peril: that God will embolden their hearts, empower their words, and inspire them in announcing God’s mercy and unbounded love: let us pray to the Lord.

For freedom from fear: that we may rely upon the Spirit’s strength as we face challenges and negative messages in our work and society: let us pray to the lord.

For all the newly baptized: that they may enter more fully into the life of the parish, share in its mission, and help all of us to be renewed: let us pray to the Lord.

For the grace to share our gifts: that we may place our gifts at the service of others for God’s glory even if they are not accepted: let us pray to the Lord.

For healing of the divisions in the human family: that God will heal the wounds of racism and ethnic discrimination so that there may be one crowd of people from every land offering praise and worship to God with a common voice: let us pray to the Lord.

For all who serve in pastoral ministry: that God will guide them in the service of the community, help them to follow Jesus more closely, and continually renew their strength and energy: let us pray to the Lord.

For all who are discerning a call to pastoral ministry: that they will hear God’s invitation to share in nurturing and guiding the faith community and respond with generous hearts: let us pray to the Lord.

For all mothers and those who have been like a mother to us: that God will bless and strengthen them and inspire us to greater love by their witness of love and concern: let us pray to the Lord.

For students, as they complete the semester:  that God will give them strength, guide them as they study for exams and write papers, and help them to recall what they have learned: let us pray to the Lord.

For inspiration: that the Holy Spirit will guide the administration and Congress as they seek ways to resolve the issues around immigration and that Gospel may open new ways to help all who must flee their homes: let us pray to the Lod.

For greater care of earth's resources:  that God will move hearts to greater awareness of the fragility of the air and freshwater so that they may be preserved for our children and grandchildren: let us pray to the Lord.

For peacemakers: that the Holy Spirit will inspire all who are working to end violent conflicts, open avenues for the safe moments of the vulnerable, and help everyone to recognize the dignity of every human life: let us pray to the Lord.

For all who have died, particularly our mothers:  that they may experience the love of the Good Shepherd and join the great multitude of holy ones rejoicing in God's presence: let us pray to the Lord.

Open our hearts to your power movingaround us and between us and within us,until your glory is revealed in our love of both friend and enemy,in communities transformed by justice and compassion,and in the healing of all that is broken. Amen.

References

-United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. (2025al, May 11). Fourth Sunday of Easter. USCCB. https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/051125.cfm

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

One another, Easter3C

May 04, 2025

Acts 5:27-32, 40b-41; Psalm 30 (29); Revelation 5:11-14; John 21:1-19

O God, your Son remained with his disciples after his resurrection, teaching them to love all people as neighbors. As his disciples in this age, we offer our prayers on behalf of the universe in which we are privileged to live and our neighbors with whom we share it:

For the Church, that empowered by the Holy Spirit, we may give convincing witness to the freeing and healing power of the Risen Christ: let us pray to the Lord.

For greater discipleship: that we may be limited by past failures but be open to God’s new invitations and rely upon God to bring to fulfillment the mission entrusted to us: let us pray to the Lord.

For a new perspective on life: that God will broaden our vision to see ourselves praising and serving God in harmony with all of creation: let us pray to the Lord.

For growth in trust: that we may surrender our disappointments and failures to God so that we may be renewed and raised up for new opportunities: let us pray to the lord.

For the grace of awareness: that God will open our minds and hearts to recognize Christ in the Eucharist, the people, events, and experiences of daily life: let us pray to the Lord.

For all who face suffering or persecution for being a Christian: that the Spirit will strengthen them to give faithful witness to Christ and God’s love for all: let us pray to the Lord.

For Pope Francis: that God will strengthen and inspire him as he leads the church in seeking the reign of God, deepening our loving service, and growing in unity as God’s family: let us pray to the Lord.

For all who exercise ministry in the Church: that their actions may be rooted in love, service, and commitment to Christ as they assist fellow Christians in deepening their discipleship: let us pray to the Lord.

For all dioceses who are awaiting new bishops and parishes who are waiting for new pastors: that God will guide and inspire the selection process and bring forth leaders filled with wisdom, love, and deep spirituality: let us pray to the Lord.

For all who will be receiving First Communion soon: that they may grow in their faith and their awareness of God’s love for them: let us pray to the Lord.

For our families: that mealtimes spent together may be times of nourishment, healing, reconciliation, and encouragement of one another: let us pray to the Lord.

For a spirit of openness and acceptance: that we may welcome the stranger and immigrant into our communities and help them to build a new life: let us pray to the Lod.

For all who earn their living on the seas: that God will protect them from harm and increase the quality and quantity of fish for the good of the human family: let us pray to the Lord.

For insight and courage: that we may bring the witness of the Gospel to the social and political issues of our day and that the Spirit will give us words to effectively communicate the truth: let us pray to the Lord.

For Peace: that God will turn hearts from violence, open minds to the pain that it causes, and open new opportunities for dialogue and understanding: let us pray to the Lord.

Open our hearts to your power moving around us and between us and within us,until your glory is revealed in our love of both friend and enemy, in communities transformed by justice and compassion, and in the healing of all that is broken. Amen.

References

-United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. (2025ak, May 4). Third Sunday of Easter. USCCB. https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/050425.cfm

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

One another, Easter2C

April 27, 2025

Acts 5:12-16; Psalm 118 [117]; Apocalypse 1:9-13,17-19; John 20:19-31

As we remember the story of God’s gracious presence with us through life and death, we lift our prayers on behalf of all creation:

For the Church, that renewed through word and sacrament, we may radiate the light of Christ, be strong in faith, confident in hope, and abounding with love for God and neighbor: let us pray to the Lord.

For all the newly baptized, that they may faithfully follow Jesus, grow in their love for God, and keep the light of Christ burning brightly in their lives: let us pray to the Lord.

For all children, hat God will keep them safe from all harm, help them grow and develop their gifts, and celebrate the gift of life each day: let us pray to the Lord.

For all believers that Christ will pour out the Spirit upon us and enable us to continue the mission of bringing hope, meaning, and love to all in our society: let us pray to the lord.

For all the human family, that Christ’s victory over death may bring hope and a new beginning to all who suffer from war and violence, are burdened by poverty, confronted by prejudice, or live in fear: let us pray to the Lord.

For all who find themselves confused, doubting their faith, or walking in darkness that they may experience the Risen Lord who brings light and hope to hearts: let us pray to the Lord.

For all gathered in prayer this day that we who have been washed in the waters of life, may continue to grow in God’s life and be signs of God’s presence to all in our lives: let us pray to the Lord.

For healing of hearts and relationships that the Risen Lord will open the path to reconciliation and healing amongst families, communities, and nations: let us pray to the Lord.

For all who are away from home this Easter, particularly members of the military and relief workers that God will protect from harm, guide their service, and bring them home safely: let us pray to the Lord.

For greater respect and appreciation of human life that we may recognize God’s gift of life in everyone and strive to honor and support that life in each person that we meet: let us pray to the Lord.

For all who have fled homes because of violence, fear, or natural disasters, that God will guide them to safely, give them hope, and touch the hearts of many to welcome and support them: let us pray to the Lord.

For all who are burdened by sickness, disease, or chronic illness, that the healing Spirit of the risen Christ may bring light and wholeness to them: let us pray to the Lod.

For greater stewardship of God’s creation, that we may work to use earth’s resources prudently and preserve them for the good of future generations: let us pray to the Lord.

For nations in turmoil, that God will break the cycles of violence and discord, end acts of revenge, protect the innocent, and raise leaders who will establish peace and justice in areas of conflict: let us pray to the Lord.

For peace, that the Risen Lord will give each of us peace of mind and heart, relief from stress and pressure, and renew our spirits so that we may live life fully each day: let us pray to the Lord.

God of salvation, your wisdom and compassion guide us in the midst of pain and grief,

in the midst of temptation and fear. Through your resurrection power heal our sorrow and uplift us in delight, that we may know that fulfillment of your promise in our restoration to wholeness. Amen.

References

-United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. (2025ai, April 27). Second Sunday of Easter. USCCB. https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/042725.cfm

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