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

Joe Milner

For the Church: that we may continue to grow in our relationship with Christ and manifest God’s unbounded love for the human family by our deeds of light

For the grace of transformation: that God will lead us from the comfort of darkness and selfishness and enable us to live in freedom as children of the light

For a greater realization of God’s goodness: that we may recognize everything as a gift from God and open our hearts to accept the additional gifts that God has for us

For the gift of hope: that we may not despair as we encounter violence, greed, and abuse but by the Holy Spirit courageously give witness to God’s mercy and compassion

For all who fear drawing close to God: that the Spirit will free their hearts from fear and lead them into an experience of God’s love for them

For the grace of conversion: that we may lament our selfishness and hurtful deeds and surrender them to God in the sacrament of penance

For all who seek to grow in their faith: that Christ will reveal himself more and more to all who are preparing to receive sacraments this spring and help them to live faithfully as children of the light

For freedom of spirit: that we may surrender our desire to save ourselves and allow God to heal us and raise us to new life

For the grace to forgive: that as we experience the gift of God's forgiveness, we may seek to forgive others who have harmed us

For Pope Francis, as the anniversary of his election as pope nears: that God will sustain him in his ministry, inspire his teaching, and help him to lead the Church to greater faith and love

For all experiencing persecution, particularly the Catholics in Burkina Faso: that God will preserve them from harm, give them strength, and help them to witness to God’s love and faithfulness

For healing of the wounds of racism: that God will raise up all who have been wounded by racism and prejudice and inspire us with new ways to build a community of justice and cooperation

For all who are suffering: that God's unending love will bring health to the sick, food to the hungry, shelter to the homeless, and jobs to the unemployed

For a renewed spirit of stewardship: that we may efficiently use the natural resources entrusted to us and work to share them with those who are in need

For all who have died, particularly those who have died by violence or neglect: that they may experience the compassion and mercy of God who loves them