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.

One another, 17C

July 27, 2025

Genesis 18:20-32; Psalm 138 (137); Colossians 2:12-14; Luke 11:1-13

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, like Abraham, we may grow in our friendship with God and honestly present our needs to God each day: let us pray to the Lord.

For the grace to be ministers of reconciliation: that we may witness to God’s mercy by offering forgiveness to one another and by seeking forgiveness when we have injured someone: let us pray to the Lord.

For persistence in prayer: that the Spirit will teach us how to authentically express our deepest needs to God in prayer and give us strength never to grow tired of calling upon God for assistance: let us pray to the Lord.

For a deeper appreciation of our baptism: that we may recognize the great gift of our new life in Christ and faithfully live as daughters and sons of God: let us pray to the Lord.

For a renewal of the Holy Spirit in our lives: that God will refresh and deepen the gift of the Spirit who has been poured out into our hearts so that we may be dynamic instruments of God’s love: let us pray to the Lord.

For all who are facing trial and difficulty: that God’s Spirit will strengthen the hearts of all Christians who are imprisoned or persecuted for their faith and fill them with courage: let us pray to the Lord.

For each of us: that we may make the Reign of God a priority in our lives and open our hearts to seeking God's will first in all our activities: let us pray to the Lord.

For all who need daily bread: that God will open new opportunities for them to access food and touch the hearts of all who have an abundance to share more freely: let us pray to the Lord.

For all who are burdened with guilt: that God's love will free them and bring them to the confidence that they are loved and all their sins are forgiven: let us pray to the Lord.

For all who strive to help the poor and the forgotten of society: that God will strengthen them as they plead and call for justice for God's children: let us pray to the Lord.

For all who are fleeing violence: that God will lead them on their journey, protect them from harm and help them find a new home where they can grow and contribute to the common good: let us pray to the Lord.

For healing of racism and prejudice: that all people may look upon one another as sisters and brothers and work for the betterment of one another: let us pray to the Lord.

For government leaders: that God will guide them in addressing the issues of inflation, violence, and the care of creation so that all may live in safety, find housing, and have food: let us pray to the Lord.

For health and healing: that God will curtail the new Coronavirus variants, heal those who are ill, and protect the elderly and very young from the virus: let us pray to the Lord.

For peace: that God turn hearts away from violence, bring an end to warfare in Ukraine and Syria, and protect the vulnerable from harm: 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. (2025bn, July 27). Seventeenth Sunday in ordinary time. USCCB. https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/072725.cfm

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

One another, 16C

July 20, 2025

Genesis 18:1-10; Psalm 15 (14); Colossians 1:24-28; Luke 10:38-42

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 our deeds of hospitality and service may reveal for us a glimpse of the face of God: let us pray to the Lord.

For the fulfillment of God’s saving work: that we may have a deeper connection with Christ through the sufferings that we endure and so make present God’s loving plan: let us pray to the Lord.

For all couples who wish to become pregnant: that God will hear the desires of their hearts and gift them with a child to love, nurture and guide to maturity: let us pray to the Lord.

For all who are busy about work and progress: that God will free us from overworking, help us find the life-giving balance, and recognize the relationships which bring us life: let us pray to the Lord.

For all who live a life of service, particularly those who care for the sick, assist travelers, or serve in public safety: that they may offer their service joyfully and be renewed by God’s love: let us pray to the Lord.

For all who do not feel appreciated: that they may find in Christ the courage to continue to love and serve without praise or recognition: let us pray to the Lord.

For all who are traveling during these summer weeks: that God will protect them, renew, and restore them through this time away and strengthen their bonds with their loved ones: let us pray to the Lord.

For all who suffer for their faith: that their witness may strengthen the church and deepen our faith and commitment to the Gospel: let us pray to the Lord.

For all who feel barraged by commercials and reasons to buy that they may realize that their dignity and meaning is found in being children of God rather than in their possessions: let us pray to the Lord.

For freedom from jealousy and criticism: that the Spirit will guide us in sharing and living out our gifts even when those of others seem more significant: let us pray to the Lord.

For the recognition and development of the ministries of women: that God will help all to appreciate and affirm the gifts that women bring to the church and support them in using their gifts: let us pray to the Lord.

For all who are ill: that God’s healing spirit will bring them through their illness and restore them to wholeness: let us pray to the Lord.

For immigrants and refugees: that God will protect them from harm, guide them through the bureaucratic procedures and lead them to a new home where they can share their talents: let us pray to the Lord.

For a greater spirit of stewardship: that the Spirit will guide us in sharing our time, talents, and resources in support of the church and the forgotten of our society: let us pray to the Lord.

For peace: that God will turn hearts from violence in our cities and families, open new opportunities for dialogue, and protect innocent people from attacks and errant gunfire: 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. (2025bl, July 20). Sixteenth Sunday in ordinary time. USCCB. https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/072025.cfm

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