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.