These ideas are designed to be starting points for the prayers of a particular community of faith.

Joe Milner

For the Church: that we who have died with Christ in baptism, may recognize our dignity in being children of God, and sisters and brothers to one another

For wisdom: that we may embrace the paradox that our efforts to control life produces no results while surrendering to God will provide abundant life

For the grace of insight: that we may love our spouse and family as God loves them and be a source of encouragement toward a fuller response to all that God asks of them

For the grace of hospitality: that we may welcome all who enter our lives as we would welcome Christ with great love and generously sharing our time and talents with them

For the grace of perseverance: that God will give strength and hope to all who suffer because they practice the values and principles of the Gospel  

For the grace to live the Gospel: that we may love God with our whole heart and strength and learn to love everyone in our lives as God loves them

For a reordering of our pursuits: that God will free us from idolatrous struggles for power, fame, social status, and possessions and help us find fulfillment in loving service and life-giving relationships

For all who have recently been baptized: that they may continue to die to their old way of life and experience God’s new life drawing them into greater virtue and compassion

For Pope Francis and all who will benefit from the Peter’s Pence collection: that God will strengthen and sustain him, and help him to be able to respond to all who request his assistance during times of famine, disease, or disaster

For all who called to prophetic ministry; that they may bring forth words of truth from their prayer and speak those words effectively so that the powerful will be disquieted and the poor and suffering will find hope

For all who are struggling with addictions, particularly with opioids: that God will free them, help them find the assistance they need and restore them to their families

For inspiration: that God will guide legislators and policymakers in developing new structures and procedures for police and law enforcement officials to fulfill their responsibilities more effectively

For all who care for the sick: that God will give them strength and help them be instruments of healing and compassion

For all youth: that God will guide them through the challenges and confusion of these days and help them grow to the fullest potential

For care for our common home: that we may recognize God’s gift to us of earth and its resources, and work to preserve it so that all of earth’s inhabitants may be blessed by it