13 prayers
O Jesus, who hast loved us with such exceeding great love as to give us the ineffable gift of the Holy Eucharist, inflame us with a burning zeal to promote Thy glory by preparing worthily the little children who are to approach Thy holy table for the first time. Protect, O Sacred Heart of Jesus, these young souls from the assaults of evil, strengthen their faith, increase their love and endow them with all the virtues that will make them worthy to receive Thee. Amen. Saint John the Baptist, forerunner of the Messias, prepare the way for Jesus in the hearts of these children. Saint Tarcisius, keep safe the children who are making their first Communion.
Lord Jesus! You, Who in the most bitter moments of Your passion showed an ardent thirst for souls, grant that we may share in this thirst. Give us the light to grow in the knowledge of Your word and grant us strength so that, by collaborating in preaching this word at every moment of our lives, we may bring to You, through Your holy Church, and the intercession of Your holy Mother, innumerable souls who live far from the truth. Grant this so that with You, through You and in You, they may be reconciled to the Eternal Father, in union with whom, together with the Holy Spirit, You live and reign forever and ever. Amen.
Father, this morning there are those all over the world who for various reasons don't find any joy in Valentine's Day. The single young woman who thought she would be married years ago but still finds herself wondering if it will ever happen. The man who can't feel his wife's arms around him, because her body now rests in the ground. The newly divorced woman who has been betrayed and abandoned and left feeling unworthy. The man who cares for an ailing wife who hasn't remembered his name in years. The childless couple who has prayed and fasted and maybe even begged that you might bless them with a child, yet their arms remain empty. The children--OH GOD, THE CHILDREN--who have never seen love in the eyes of another human being. Father, these precious babies and toddlers and kids of all ages who have never been embraced or kissed or cuddled, who have never heard the words "I love you", and who have no idea what GRACE looks like. Every variation of a broken heart or broken relationship-- too many to mention each one individually. Lord, would you fill their hearts with the soothing balm of the gospel of Christ this morning? Father, penetrate their very souls not just with a warm fuzzy feeling, but with the POWER of your Spirit. Give them fresh HOPE, redeeming LOVE, unsurpassable PEACE in the midst of difficult circumstances. Speak to them tenderly in ways that the words of another human being could never fulfill, and ignite their passions toward YOU in such a way that emptiness is filled, pain is comforted, and all of the questions are replaced by knowledge of your love for them and your true desire to give only what YOU know is best for them. Father, love them generously. Love them personally. Love them powerfully as only you can. And do so in such a way that brings all glory back to you where it belongs. Praying in the name of JESUS CHRIST, the ultimate perfect and holy picture of LOVE on this Valentine's Day and every day.
Beloved Shepherd of Souls! As I tread into the sunset of my life, I grow anxious for the spiritual welfare of souls who came to know me. It grieves me to think of the offenses they may have committed because of words or deeds of mine. I have in mind those who were my close responsibility as well as those whom I sponsored in Baptism and whose spiritual condition is no longer known to me. In Your Merciful Goodness I now plead for the pardon of the soul who because of me may have lost Your favour. humbly I implore You, let not one of them be lost, but when they leave this world may they find glorious entry into the Kingdom of Heaven! On behalf of those who may need to atone for offenses I may have caused them to commit, I offer You any infirmities or sufferings I am to undergo during the remaining years of my life. Dear Shepherd of Souls, grant them life eternal.
Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for Your gracious provision to us day be day and for the many blessing of Your grace, of which we all partake each day. But Lord, I know that there are many people in the world today who are hurting and hungry, and I bring before You all those people in need or who are facing hunger and food-shortages. Provide Lord, for each of Your children, and look down in pity and mercy on them that have insufficient food or are facing famine. I lift up those that have severe financial and social difficulties and who are unable to provide even the basics of life for themselves and their families. Look down in pity on all who are hungry, both in body and spirit. Provide for both their physical needs and spiritual food. I ask this in the precious name of Jesus,Amen.
Loving Lord, I recently had an abortion because I was pregnant and did not want to have another baby,but since going through the abortion Lord, I find that I am beset about by guilt and my heart feels as if it is torn in two.Lord, You have promised to be close to those whose hearts are breaking. I know that what I did was wrong, because You are the Lord of life, but Father, You are also the great God of comfort and the Comforter that has promised to be with us always and to comfort us in our distresses.Lord I have just read the prayer �I Had An Abortion,� and I thank You that You died to pay the price for all my sins, including this abortion. Lord, I know that any deep wound takes much time to heal, but I pray Lord, that You would start to mend my broken heart today and to soothe my smarting soul.Give me the comfort that only comes from You to face the future, knowing that in Your sight I am pure and forgiven, and thank You for Your great assurance that there is no sin that is so bad that You are unwilling to forgive.Thank You, in Jesus' name,Amen. �because if our hearts condemn us, God is greater than our hearts and knows all things.� (1 John 3:20)
Bless those who mourn, eternal God, with the comfort of your love that they may face each new day with hope and the certainty that nothing can destroy the good that has been given. May their memories become joyful, their days enriched with friendship, and their lives encircled by your love. - Vienna Cobb Anderson
Loving Father, we thank You for the way You have formed us into families and for the joys of family life, but Father there are many who have been married, and surrounded by their families and yet have suddenly found themselves in a position of singleness once more, either by death or separation, divorce or simply the continuous ebb and flow of family life today.Lord, we lift up before Your throne of grace brothers and sisters in Christ who find themselves in a position of being single once again, often having had this position thrust upon them rather than it being from choice. We pray Lord, that You would meet each cry of help, each sigh of loneliness and any pain that such enforced singleness may have inflicted. Be their strength and helper their constant companion and comforter. Be to each one a tower of refuge and may each one find rest in their hearts and soul as they find their rest and strength in You.Keep each one from any form of self-pity and bring into the life of each one good and caring friends and activities that bind them closer to other members in the body of Christ. May they all grow together in love and unity more and more knowing that Your soon return is at the very door. Draw very close we pray to those that find themselves to be lonely, especially during the long hours of night, and may the joy of your salvation well up in each of their hearts day by day as they draw ever closer to You. In Jesus' name we pray, Amen.
Dear Heavenly Father, I come to You today to lift up those that are lonely and who feel deserted or left alone by those they love, and pray that in Your grace and mercy You would draw near to all who are broken-hearted or crushed in spirit, and deliver them from the difficulties and troubles that they are facing today.�Draw very close to them Lord. Enfold them in Your loving arms, quiet their hearts and bring into their lives that perfect peace and gracious comfort that only comes from You, for You have promised to place those that are lonely in families and You have promised the widow that, �your Maker is your husband.��Lord, for all whose hearts are aching and alone, I pray that You would draw close to them and make Yourself known in a very special way. In Jesus' name I pray,Amen.
God of all goodness, Look with love on those who wait for the safe return of their loved ones who serve in the armed forces of their country. In faith and hope, we turn to you for comfort. Grant that we may trust in your mercy and send an angel to sustain us as we await their safe return. We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Lord Jesus! You, Who in the most bitter moments of Your passion showed an ardent thirst for souls, grant that we may share in this thirst. Give us the light to grow in the knowledge of Your word and grant us strength so that, by collaborating in preaching this word at every moment of our lives, we may bring to You, through Your holy Church, and the intercession of Your holy Mother, innumerable souls who live far from the truth. Grant this so that with You, through You and in You, they may be reconciled to the Eternal Father, in union with whom, together with the Holy Spirit, You live and reign forever and ever. Amen.
Loving Lord, we are living in a time of much need and economic hardship, and there are many today who are facing the shock of having lost their job, with little hope of securing a new position. Father, this causes such deep emotional pressure and severe financial hardship at any time, but when the economic climate is so depressed, it has such a serious knock on effect on relationship with loved ones. Look down with pity I pray, on all that are having to come to terms with joblessness. Look on these people with compassion and in Your mercy, I pray that You will provide for their needs and secure for each one a new position. Lord, I know that this can happen to any of us and none are exempt from such a devastating loss, but You have promised to supply all the needs of Your children,� and I ask that in Your mercy You will supply all that is needful. Bring good out of evil Lord, and may the loss of a job be the thing that draws each one into the arms of their Saviour. Save and supply the needs of all who are facing a future without a job I pray, Amen.
Dear Heavenly Father, You created us to be social beings and You designed us to build up special relationships and friendships with those that pass along our way, sometimes family members and at other times strangers that simply walk into our lives or cross our path, and who remain bound up with us for the rest of our time on earth.Lord, I lift up those who do not have any special friend or who desire to have someone significant or important in their lives, not simply as a marriage partner but a friend, a kindred spirit, a special person with whom they can build up a trusting relationship, and who will share in their joys as well as their sorrows. Look down in pity on those that have such a longing in their hearts and give them the desire of their heart, so that together they can encourage and edify each other in the faith, and unite together in praise and worship with the God who in His loving-kindness drew them into each others lives. I ask this in the precious name of Jesus,Amen.
