One another, 25C

September 21, 2025

Amos 8:4-7; Psalm 113 (112); 1 Timothy 2:1-8; Luke 16:1-13

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 we may be good stewards of the gifts that God has given us, use them for God's glory, and never be possessed by our possessions: let us pray to the Lord.

For the grace of diligence: that we may follow the command of Christ and use our gifts to bring forth God's reign by feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, and caring for the sick: let us pray to the Lord.

For wisdom: that the Spirit will inspire us with a broader vision of our life goals so that our endeavors may lead us into a deeper relationship with God and into eternal life: let us pray to the Lord.

For deeper gratitude: that we may appreciate all the gifts, opportunities, and benefits that we have been given and recognize them as signs of God's love for us: let us pray to the Lord.

For greater attention to the small things in life: that God will find us diligent and faithful with all our ordinary responsibilities so that we may share in God's greater gifts: let us pray to the Lord.

For the development of ethics and honesty in business: that the Spirit will guide all business leaders in implementing just practices and products that are beneficial to the common good: let us pray to the Lord.

For employers and employees: that each may fulfill their responsibilities and treat one another with dignity and respect: let us pray to the Lord.

For the poor: that God will lift their burden and help them to find ways to meet their needs and prosper: let us pray to the Lord.

For all who lack healthcare: that God will open new opportunities for healthcare workers to provide needed assistance to protect and sustain those who lack finances or insurance: let us pray to the Lord.

For an end to violence: that God will inspire each heart with stronger respect for human life and help them pursue new ways of resolving conflicts in families, communities, and between nations: let us pray to the Lord.

For the President, all leaders of nations, governors, and mayors: that they may faithfully fulfill their obligations, establish peace and good order, and promote life and justice for all: let us pray to the Lord.

For all who are suffering: that God will strengthen all recovering from disasters, bring healing to the sick, freedom to captives, and comfort to the grieving: let us pray to the Lord.

For all who are grieving: that God will comfort them, deepen their relationships with loved ones, and guide them to understanding and supportive communities: 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. (2025cd, September 21). Twenty-fifth Sunday in ordinary time. USCCB. https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/092125.cfm

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

One another, Holy CrossC

September 14, 2025

Numbers 21:4-9; Psalm 78 (77); Philippians 2:6-11; John 3:13-17

In the cross our need meets God’s redemption In confidence and hope, we bring the prayers of our hearts for the transformation of the church and the world:

For the Church: that we who were signed with the cross at our baptism, may walk with Christ through the Paschal Mystery and allow God to guide us through all of life's trials: let us pray to the Lord.

For a renewal of faith: that the lifting up of Christ may open our hearts to experience God's great love and lead all to a deeper relationship with Christ: let us pray to the Lord.

For the grace to love unselfishly: that Christ's example of picking up the cross for us, may empowered us to love as Christ loved and never count the cost: let us pray to the Lord.

For all who are being persecuted or discriminated against for their Christian faith: that the cross of Christ will bring them strength and courage to remain faithful and continue to give witness to the Gospel: let us pray to the Lord.

For the ability to accept our vulnerability: that like Christ who emptied himself for us, we may accept our limits, be emptied of pride and the need to control, and allow God to work through us even when we feel weak: let us pray to the Lord.

For all who carry the cross each day; for parents of troubled children; for those struggling with addiction: and for those who have been abused: that Christ who has been lifted up will walk with them through the pain and into new life: let us pray to the Lord.

For all who have long-term illness or disability and for their families: that they may draw strength from the sufferings of Christ and hope from his resurrection: let us pray to the Lord.

For health and safety in our schools and colleges: that God will protect all students and faculty from violence and disease and help everyone to learn and grow in the coming months: let us pray to the Lord.

For leaders in governments, business, education, and religion: that they may follow the example of Christ and become servants to all the voiceless and marginalized of society: let us pray to the Lord.

For families who are broken and in turmoil: that Christ's example of love and service may guide them toward reconciliation and compassion for one another: let us pray to the Lord.

For all who are facing death: that the cross will bring strength and grace to those with terminal illness, those who live in danger of violence, and those who are awaiting execution, and lead them to Christ who is the resurrection and life: let us pray to the Lord.

For freedom from war and violence: that the cross of Christ will show the way to peace and new beginnings for all experiencing violence and bloodshed: let us pray to the Lord.

For peace: that the cross of Christ may illumine a new way to settle conflicts in Ukraine, Gaza, and South Sudan and open a path toward forgiveness and reconciliation: let us pray to the Lord.

Accept our prayers, God of mercy, in union with Jesus the Christ, who offered his life for our salvation upon the wood of the cross and who now reigns with you in eternal glory forever and ever. Amen.

References

-United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. (2025cb, September 14). Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross. USCCB. https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/091425.cfm

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

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One another, 23C

September 07, 2025

Wisdom 9:13-18; Psalm 90 (89); Philemon 9-10, 12-17; Luke 14:25-33

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 strive to open our hearts to God each day and be vigilant against allowing anyone or anything to displace God as the center of our life: let us pray to the Lord.

For the gift of Wisdom: that the Spirit of God will enlighten our minds and guide us in making loving and life-giving decisions each day: let us pray to the Lord.

For courage: that God will strengthen us as we encounter our daily crosses so that we may give witness to Christ through living the paschal mystery and embracing our new life in Christ: let us pray to the Lord.

For a renewal of creativity: that the Spirit of God will inspire us to use the many gifts that God has given us to bring forth new blessings and undreamed-of possibilities for our faith community and all the human family: let us pray to the Lord.

For freedom of spirit: that God will unbind us from past hurts and failures so that we may be free to love, serve and be in relationship: let us pray to the Lord.

For all who are suffering for their discipleship or who are imprisoned or persecuted for their faith: that God will heal their pain, strengthen their spirit, and make strong and effective their witness to Christ: let us pray to the Lord.

For a deeper connection with all the people who are in our life: that we may see them with the love that God has for each of them and encourage them to live their life fully: let us pray to the Lord.

For a true appreciation of all of our possessions: that we may accept them as gifts from God, use them to serve God and others, and never be possessed by them: let us pray to the Lord.

For an end to terrorism: that all who feel trapped and burdened by life may seek new ways to address their pain and come to a new understanding of the dignity of human life: let us pray to the Lord.

For all who have no food: that God will touch the hearts of those with abundance to share their bounty so that all may experience the reign of God: let us pray to the Lord.

For all who are recovering from wildfires, hurricanes or other disasters: that God will ease their suffering, give them hope, and strengthen all who working to assist them: let us pray to the Lord.

For all who are held in slavery or human trafficking: that God will break their bonds, heal them, and reconnect them with their loved ones: let us pray to the Lord.

For refugees and those who have fled violence, particularly children:  that God will open the hearts of many to recognize them as sisters and brothers, help them find places of safety, and be welcomed into communities of faith: let us pray to the Lord.

For preservation of our common home: that God will inspire leaders to develop policies and practices that will preserve the natural systems that God designed for the earth so that all may benefit from earth’s resources: let us pray to the Lord.

For all living in the midst of violence and civil discord: that God will open opportunities for peaceful resolution to these conflicts, protect each person from harm, and bring forth justice in these communities: 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. (2025bz, September 7). Twenty-third Sunday in ordinary time. USCCB. https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/090725.cfm

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