INTRODUCTORY REFLECTION
Two weeks ago Pope Francis, prompted by the 150th anniversary of the birth of St Thérèse of Lisieux, published an encouraging exhortation on ‘confidence in the merciful love of God’.
Overwhelmed as we are by news of terrible inhumanity and natural disaster, we can feel our capacity to love drained of energy. Thérèse experienced her own dark night of faith in the last months of her life (#25), yet ‘in an extraordinary way, she probed the depths of divine mercy, and drew from them the light of her limitless hope’ #27).
That light enabled her to embrace her vocation to ‘be love’ (#39). Francis hopes that she will inspire us to be missionary disciples, captivated by the attractiveness of Jesus and the Gospel
THE WEEK’S PRAYER FOCUS
We pray for all who dedicate themselves to a life of prayer and contemplation, that they will enfold the world in the merciful love of God.
SAMPLE INTERCESSIONS
These intercessions are offered for selected use at Sunday Mass in the parish alongside those that express local needs and concerns.
PRESIDER
Dear friends, Jesus calls us to love as he loved, wholeheartedly and freely. Let us open our hearts in loving prayer for the world that God has made.
READER
We pray for the millions of innocent children, women and men caught up in brutal warfare, especially in Israel and Gaza, but also in Ukraine, Myanmar, Sudan and other places, that the warring parties will agree to a ceasefire and allow humanitarian aid to flow through. (Pause) Let us pray to the Lord.
We pray for Jews, Christians and Muslims around the world, that their shared faith in God’s word to Moses will bear fruit in justice for the stranger, the widow, the orphan and all in need. (Pause) Let us pray to the Lord.
We pray for Christian communities everywhere, that like the Thessalonians of old they will be a shining example of faith, joy and hope for all to see. (Pause) Let us pray to the Lord.
We pray for all who have blessed us with generous love, that they will rejoice on seeing their love bear good fruit in our lives. (Pause) Let us pray to the Lord.
We pray for those who love nature in all its God-given variety, that they will inspire the world-wide community to save the earth from the peril of global warming. (Pause) Let us pray to the Lord.
We pray for the quiet volunteers doing the work of the St Vincent de Paul Society, that their care for the poor will ease the hardship and isolation that so many suffer. (Pause) Let us pray to the Lord.
We pray for the frail aged, especially those living with dementia, that they will be cared for with love, patience, understanding and warmth of heart. (Pause) Let us pray to the Lord.
We pray for our faith community, that the celebration of All Saints and All Souls Days this week will enliven our hope in Jesus’ promise of eternal life. (Pause) Let us pray to the Lord.
We pray for those who have died recently . . . and for those whose anniversary of death occurs around this time, that they will forever delight in God’s beauty and goodness. (Pause) Let us pray to the Lord.
PRESIDER
Fount of love, holy God, in your wisdom you have brought the world to birth. Open our hearts to love all things as Jesus did. We ask this through Christ our Lord.