One another, 22C

August 31, 2025

Sirach 3:17-20, 28-29; Ps 68 (67); Hebrews 12:18-19, 22-24; Luke 14:1, 7-14

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 the many ways God is present and active in our lives so that we may cooperate with God more fully: let us pray to the Lord.

For openness to God’s invitations: that we may respond to God’s call to eternal life and recognize that salvation comes not from our efforts but as a gift from God: let us pray to the Lord.

For the grace of humility: that we may come to a deeper understanding and ownership of our gifts and acknowledge our need for God amidst all our weaknesses: let us pray to the Lord.

For deeper intimacy with God: that we may experience the tenderness of the Good Shepherd who cares for us as we draw closer to God in prayer and service: let us pray to the Lord.

For the grace to be more inclusive: that we may be open to all the gifts that different cultural, ethnic, economic, educational, and age groups bring to our community and work to include these gifts in our ministries and activities: let us pray to the Lord.

For all who exercise authority: that they may follow in the footsteps of Christ in being servants to others and attentive to those in greatest need: let us pray to the Lord.

For those who reach out to the poor and the marginalized: that they may recognize Christ in all whom they serve, honor the dignity of each person, and be sincere in their care and compassion: let us pray to the Lord.

For transformation of our hearts: that we may reach out to those who can never repay us and thereby allow the reign of God to be experienced in our time: let us pray to the Lord.

For all who have experienced abuse: that God's healing love may touch them, heal their deepest selves, and restore them to the fullness of life: let us pray to the Lord.

For healing for all who have experienced violence, particularly for parents who have lost children: that God will comfort all who are grieving, heal all who have been injured, and inspire many to accompany those who are hurting: let us pray to the Lord.

For all recovering from natural disasters: that God will give them strength and patience as they face the challenges of each day and speed the resources which they need to them: let us pray to the Lord.

For Christian Communities facing suffering and persecution, particularly the church in Nicaragua: that God will protect them from harm, help them to be faithful witnesses to the Gospel, and empower them to show forgiveness to their persecutors: let us pray to the Lord.

For the protection of the earth: that God will guide us in being good stewards of God's creation so that all people may experience the blessings that earth brings forth: let us pray to the Lord.

For all who are ill: that God’s love will bring healing and renewal to them, an end to the pandemics, and strength to all who care for the sick: let us pray to the Lord.

For all dioceses and parishes which are reorganizing: that the Holy Spirit will guide the process of transforming structures so that they may accomplish the mission of Christ more fully: 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. (2025bx, August 31). Twenty-second Sunday in ordinary time. USCCB. https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/083125.cfm

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

One another, 21C

August 24, 2025

Isaiah 66:18-21; Psalm 117 (116); Hebrews 12:5-7; Luke 13:22-30

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 draw close to Christ, who is the gate into eternal life and the way to wholeness: let us pray to the Lord.

For spiritual growth: that Spirit will help us implement disciplines that will deepen our knowledge and love of God and increase our ability to respond to God’s invitations each day: let us pray to the Lord.

For unity in the Body of Christ: that Christians from east and west, north and south, may work together in confronting evil, poverty, and disease so that the Gospel may be made known in deeds as well as words: let us pray to the Lord.

For all who are experiencing trials and disciplines: that God will strengthen their spirits and help them to be open to the pruning and renewing work of God’s Word: let us pray to the Lord.

For all who are facing difficult choices, particularly about health issues, relationships, or employment: that the Spirit guide them to inner freedom, integrity, and wholeness: let us pray to the Lord.

For grace to enter through the narrow gate: that the Spirit will guide us in living lives of forgiveness, compassion, self-control, and acts of service so that our lives may manifest the reign of God: let us pray to the Lord.

For fortitude: that we may resist the easy path of violence, greed, prejudice, and self-righteousness, and strive to encourage and support one another in following Christ in our unique vocations: let us pray to the Lord.

For courage: that the Spirit will help us hear God’s invitation, respond wholeheartedly to God’s call, and trust that God will provide what seems lacking in our ability: let us pray to the Lord.

For missionaries and aid workers: that God will renew their spirits and give them the resources they need to support and inspire those whom they serve: let us pray to the Lord.

For all who are suffering from storms, floods, or wildfires: that God will comfort them, give them strength, and guide them to the resources that they need: let us pray to the Lord.

For all beginning a new school year: that they may grow in knowledge, wisdom, and virtue and be kept safe from all harm in the months ahead: let us pray to the Lord.

For refugees and those fleeing warfare: that God will open a path to safety, provide food and shelter for them, and help them to find acceptance in their new communities: let us pray to the Lord.

For those working to promote racial and inter-religious harmony: that God will guide their efforts and help all to give witness to the dignity of each person: let us pray to the Lord.

For all who feel unworthy of God and fear death: that they may encounter God’s love for them and recognize that God desires life and wholeness for them: let us pray to the Lord.

For peace: that God will heal the divisions in society, bring an end to warfare, help us to speak respectfully of one another, and to pursue the common good: 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. (2025bv, August 24). Twenty-first Sunday in ordinary time. USCCB. https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/082425.cfm

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

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.