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

Joe Milner

For the Church: that our profession of Jesus as the Christ may be manifest through laying down our lives in service for others and in allowing God to raise us to life

For freedom of spirit: that God will free us from the narrow vision of who we want Jesus to be and open us to all that Jesus is and all that Jesus desires to do for us

For the grace to deny our very selves: that we may surrender our plans and ambitions to God, embrace our responsibilities for today, and follow Christ each day

For greater fidelity: that when we feel confused or inadequate in our life, we may trust God to show us the way that will lead to life

For integrity: that the words we profess and the deeds we do consistently manifest the Gospel that we have heard

For a living and dynamic faith: that the Spirit will strengthen us to confront evil, show compassion for the wounded, work for peace and justice, and manifest God’s reign amongst us

For all who suffer for the sake of the Gospel: that God will strengthen suffering Christians, help them to be faithful witnesses, and fill their hearts with peace

For Pope Francis and all leaders in the Church: that God will give them wisdom in addressing the wounds in the Church and guide them in renewing and restoring the community of faith

For all catechists: that they may effectively lead those entrusted to them to a deeper knowledge and love of God and grow in their own love of God in the coming months

For the poor in our midst: that we may neither ignore them nor rationalize away their suffering but extend our hearts and hands to assist them

For all who do not believe in Jesus: that the Spirit will touch their hearts and open them to experience the words of Jesus that bring life

For all who spend their lives serving others: that God will guide emergency personnel each day, give strength to all who care for the sick, and inspire many young people to join them in serving others

For all who have suffered loss from flooding, wildfires, home fires, or drought: that God will heal their pain, protect them from further harm, give them hope, and touch the hearts of many to assist them

For peace: that God will turn hearts from violence and revenge in all troubled areas of the world, protect the innocent from harm and bring forth a new season of justice and peace

For all victims of shootings: that God will heal them physically and emotionally, sustain all impacted by shootings, and give eternal rest to those who have died