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

Joe Milner

For the Church: that our truest selves, beloved daughters and sons of God, may be revealed to us more fully through our Lenten observances

For enlightenment on our Lenten journey: that as we participate in sacrificial practices during this Lenten season, we may make more room in our life for God, the giver of all life

For a spirit of holy detachment: that as we recognize more fully that our time, knowledge, possessions, and even life itself are gifts from God, we may place these wholeheartedly at the service of God and our neighbor

For openness: that we may be attentive to God's voice and never let the blare of busyness, ambition, or consumerism drown out God's word to us

For all who are awaiting transformation: that God’s love will free them and bring to wholeness those with addictions, fears, or who are held unjustly

For all whose faith is weak: that, like Abraham, God will renew our spirits and guide us in relying upon God in all the areas of our life that are unclear or in which we lack understanding of what to do

For all who are called to self-sacrifice: that God will give them the strength to lay down their lives in witness to the Gospel and in loving service to those in need

For all the children of Abraham: that through our witness to the one True God, we may manifest God’s justice and virtue in our world

For healing: that God will relieve the suffering of all who are ill, restore their strength as they recover, and guide all who are caring for them

For the candidates who are preparing for reception into the Church: that they may come to a deeper appreciation of their baptism into Christ's death and resurrection and find healing of their weaknesses in their celebration of the sacrament of penance

For the renewal of our society: that God will heal those wounded by prejudice and injustice and show us ways to dismantle racist structures and practices

For all victims of violence: that will provide healing for those wounded in violence, who are grieving the death of loved ones, or who are caring for those who are suffering

For all who are facing famine, particularly the people of East Africa, Haiti, the Palestinian territories, and Afghanistan: that God will remove the political and environmental roadblocks that delay the shipments of food to those in need

For all who are suffering: that God will give courage and strength to those who are recovering from storms, who are in abusive situations, or who are struggling with addictions

For peace: that God will change hearts, open minds, and end both international and domestic violence