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

Joe Milner

For the Church: that the wisdom of God may enlighten our words and actions so that our deepest identity as children of God may be manifest

For the grace of discernment: that the Spirit will help us recognize what motivates us and inspire us to choose those actions that lead to fuller life

For freedom from self-deception: that God will heal our narrowness of mind and blindness to the truth proclaimed in the Gospel

For the grace to be single-hearted: that God will cleanse us of hypocrisy and help us to live fully what we profess

For a re-centering of our lives during the coming Lenten season: that God’s grace will guide us to love God more fully and to love our neighbors as we do ourselves so that we may live forever Christ’s new resurrected life

For refugees and displaced persons: that God will protect them from harm and mistreatment, guide them to places of safety, and help them find acceptance in new communities

For all who are burdened by lack of education: that God will open new doors for them to learn, help them recognize their gifts and find new ways to put them into practice for the good of others

For all catechumens who are preparing for the Rite of Election: that God will strengthen them, free their hearts to surrender more fully to God, and help them to grow in their discipleship

For all who are ill: that the Spirit will bring healing to all burdened with illness, restore them to their activities and responsibilities, and help them to be strengthened through the care and companionship of family and friends

For all struggling with addictions: that God will free them from all that holds them bound and help them find the resources that will help them restore their life

For a healing of the wounds of racism and discrimination: that God will heal those who have been wounded by racism and open new opportunities for them to share their gifts and enrich society

For greater stewardship of fresh water: that we may wisely use water and work to share this valuable resource with all who have limited access to it

For the safety of schools: that God will watch over and protect all young people in school, protect them from violence, and help them grow in knowledge and maturity

For Peace: that God will guide world leaders in diffusing international tensions and help them to work together to end famine, disease, and lack of educational opportunities

For all who have died: that they may share in Christ’s defeat of death and be clothed in the new life of the resurrection