One another, Advent1A

November 30, 2025

Isaiah 2:1-5; Ps 122 (121); Romans 13:11-14; Matthew 24:37-44

We seek the mighty God in the most unlikely places as a child in a stable,

and in an empty tomb. May God hear these prayers, which come from the unlikely corners of our lives:

For the Church: that we may grow in our awareness of how God is fulfilling the deepest desires of our hearts, expectantly await God’s continuing work, and learn to recognize God’s presence in our lives: let us pray to the Lord.

For the grace of attentiveness: that we may be aware of the signs of the times and that the Spirit will shake us from our complacency to live life fully each day: let us pray to the Lord.

For authenticity: that while surrounded by the darkness of selfishness, jealousy, and greed, we may live as children of the light and show God’s love, patience, and compassion to others: let us pray to the Lord.

For all who await God's blessings, particularly those who are pregnant, those who are separated from family or homeland, and for members of the military awaiting to return home: that God’s comforting and strengthening love will sustain them: let us pray to the Lord.

For freedom from fear: that we may know God’s presence with us even in times of darkness and confusion: let us pray to the Lord.

For leaders of nations: that their hearts may be awakened by God so that the needs for jobs, healthcare, safety and nourishment may be met for all who are in need: let us pray to the Lord.

For all children: that they may recognize all the blessings that are theirs and that their hearts may not be lost in the things that they desire: let us pray to the Lord.

For all who are working for peace, particularly in the Middle East: that God will guide and inspire their work and open new doors for peace, cooperation, and economic advancement: let us pray to the Lord.

For all who are ill, particularly those who are awaiting surgery: that God’s healing love will sustain and comfort them: let us pray to the Lord.

For all who are returning home this weekend: that God will keep them safe and help them to arrive without delay: let us pray to the Lord.

For the homeless and the homebound: that they may experience love and acceptance through our concern and outreach: let us pray to the Lord.

For all who are searching for jobs: that God will open new doors and new opportunities for them to use their gifts and support their families: let us pray to the Lord.

For all who yearn to be free and begin again, particularly those with addictions, those in abusive situations, those experiencing discrimination and persecution: that God leads them to healing and new beginnings: let us pray to the Lord.

For communities torn by strife and civil discord: that God will turn hearts from violence and help everyone to listen and work toward a common good: let us pray to the Lord.

For the gift of peace: that God will teach the hearts of all the human family so that swords may be turned into plowshares and the resources for war into resources for healing and development: let us pray to the Lord.

Give us ears to hear, O God, and eyes to watch, that we may know your presence in our midst during this holy season of joy as we anticipate the coming of Jesus Christ. Amen.

References

-United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. (2025cw, November 30). First Sunday of Advent. USCCB. https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/113025.cfm

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

One another, 34 Christ the KingC

November 23, 2025

2 Samuel 5:1-3; Psalm 122 (121); Colossians 1:12-20; Luke 23:35-43

As the shepherd who cares for the flock, O God, you guide all things through Jesus whom you have exalted over all creation as king. Hear the prayers we offer in his name for the creation he cherished and that you entrust to us:

For the Church: that we may continue the ministry of Jesus in offering forgiveness and accepting suffering in being disciples each day: let us pray to the Lord.

For grace to forgive: that the Holy Spirit will move us to forgive all who have injured us and help us show concern and compassion for them: let us pray to the Lord.

For greater integrity: that we may both speak and live the virtues that God has planted deep within our hearts so that we may be authentic witnesses to God's reign: let us pray to the Lord.

For a transformation of our hearts: that through the Cross of Christ, our understandings of power, success, and glory may be transformed so that we may place ourselves more fully in the service of God: let us pray to the Lord.

For each of us: that we may live our lives fearlessly while recognizing that our goal is union with Christ in paradise: let us pray to the Lord.

For Christian unity: that Christ will guide us in working together as the Body of Christ so that we may advance Christ's reign and defeat the powers of darkness in society: let us pray to the Lord.

For the leaders of our nation: that they may recognize the source of their authority and be guided by God's wisdom in promoting justice and advancing the well-being of all members of society: let us pray to the Lord.

For healing of our nation: that God will heal the divisions within our nation and guide us toward greater respect for one another and a renewed commitment to our common values: let us pray to the Lord.

For all who are imprisoned, particularly those condemned to death: that the Spirit of God will lead them to conversion and through Christ into paradise: let us pray to the Lord.

For all who will be traveling this week: that God will guide them safely on their journeys and that their visits with family and friends will strengthen and renew them: let us pray to the Lord.

For all who struggle with life's demands, particularly the poor, the homebound, and those with mental illness: that God will sustain them and touch the hearts of many to be compassionate friends: let us pray to the Lord.

For all who are approaching death: that they may entrust themselves into God's loving embrace, be healed of their brokenness, and freed from their sinfulness: let us pray to the Lord.

For all who have died: that Christ the firstborn from the dead may welcome them into the fullness of life where sorrow and pain exist no more: let us pray to the Lord.

For Peace: that God will bring peace to all areas impacted by war and violence, protect people from storms and the cold, and open avenues of dialogue between opposing parties: let us pray to the Lord.

Look upon your people who rejoice in your justice and mercy, and grant that the prayers we make may reveal Christ’s reign in our time. Amen.

References

-United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. (2025cu, November 23). The solemnity of our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe. USCCB. https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/112325.cfm

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

One another, 33C

November 16, 2025

Malachi 3:19-20; Psalm 98 (97); 2 Thessalonians 3:7-12; Luke 21:5-19

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 offer hope and vision to all the human family in times of confusion and offer support to those who are searching for God: let us pray to the Lord.

For the grace of perseverance: that God will strengthen and sustain us in remaining faithful to our discipleship in times of trial and distress: let us pray to the Lord.

For a spirit of hope: that God will drive disabling fear from our hearts and help us face the future with confidence and trust that God is always with us and will never abandon us: let us pray to the Lord.

For leaders of the Christian community: that their ministry and preaching will help their communities of faith to continue their deeds of loving service and witness to the Gospel until Christ comes in glory: let us pray to the Lord.

For all who are experiencing an "end of their world": those who have become ill, lost employment, been divorced, or are grieving the death of a loved one may know God's comforting presence this day and be strengthened by God's Spirit: let us pray to the Lord.

For all lacking food, medication, or warmth: that God will unlock the needed resources for them and open the hearts of all to assist them: let us pray to the Lord.

For children who are rejected, abused, or neglected: that God's tender compassion will comfort them and that they may experience love and nurture: let us pray to the Lord.

For freedom from deceit: that we may hear the voice of the one true shepherd who calls us to life and not be confused by the many voices whose promises are empty and whose fruit is destruction: let us pray to the Lord.

For all who are persecuted, deprived of their rights, and used as pawns by the powers of this world: that the Sun of Justice may rise for them, heal their wounds, and restore them to wholeness: let us pray to the Lord.

For inspiration and guidance: that the Spirit will lead to freedom for all who are addicted and give courage to all who are working to assist them: let us pray to the Lord.

For all who have borne witness with their lives by standing for justice and truth, particularly the Jesuit martyrs, the American Churchwomen, and all the unnamed women and men of Central and South America: that they may find the fulfillment of all their hopes in Christ's eternal reign: let us pray to the Lord.

For all who are recovering from natural disasters, particularly those who are in Jamaica and the Philippines: that God will open the hearts of many to assist them, speed the assistance which they need, and renew them in spirit with trust and patience: let us pray to the Lord.

For peace: that God will bring an end to the violence in Ukraine, sustain the ceasefire in Gaza, and protect the human family from weapons of mass destruction: let us pray to the Lord.

For all who have died, particularly those who have served as our pastors, teachers, mentors, and spiritual guides: that God will lead them into the fullness of life in God's presence forever: 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. (2025cs, November 16). Thirty-third Sunday in ordinary time. USCCB. https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/111625.cfm

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