Easter 7 (Sunday after Ascension) : The Universal Prayer / Bidding Prayers / Intercessions / Prayer of the Faithful

Easter Seven

The Priest introduces the prayers:
Brothers and sisters in Christ, Our Lord told his apostles to stay in the city and to pray for the gift of the Holy Spirit. Let us call on him now, that he will send the Spirit upon us, as we pray for the Church and for the world.

Reader:
We pray for the holy Church of God,
may the Lord send the Spirit on all priests and all the faithful, that they may serve him and make his presence known in the world.
Lord, hear us.

We pray for peace in the world,
may all rulers be led by the Spirit, and remember that Christ is head over all, and may all people live together in harmony and peace.
Lord, hear us.

We pray for those in special need of our prayers,
for the unemployed and those threatened with redundancy; for all in anxiety for the future; for those in grief with broken hearts; amidst their worry and sorrow, may they be aware of Christ's presence with them.
Lord, hear us.

We pray for the departed in Christ,
may Christ, who has ascended to the heavens,
gather them all to himself.
Lord, hear us.

With Our Lady, we pray. Hail Mary .

Let us bring all our own intentions, before the feet of the Father.

The Priest concludes the prayers:
Father, send your Spirit upon us, that we may be the instruments of your love in the world: strengthen us in your service and hear our prayers; through your Son Jesus Christ. Amen.

Ascension Day : The Universal Prayer / Bidding Prayers / Intercessions / Prayer of the Faithful

Ascension Day

The Priest introduces the prayers:
On this day when Christ our Lord ascended into heaven, we make our prayers for the Church and the world, trusting that the Father will answer them out of love for his Son.

Reader:
We pray for the Church,
may Christians use media wisely and creatively to spread the Gospel
and to build God’s Kingdom of justice and truth.
Lord, hear us.

We pray for peace among the nations
may God rid the world of violence that we may serve him in freedom.
Lord, hear us.

We pray for the sick and those who care for them,
may they always feel Christ's presence with them
in the midst of their suffering.
Lord, hear us.

We pray for the dead,
may Christ, who has gone before us into heaven,
prepare a place for us all in his eternal kingdom.
Lord, hear us.

With the Mother of Jesus, we pray. Hail Mary …

Let us pray in silence to our Father in heaven.

The Priest concludes the prayers:
Father, just as your Son ascended to you,
may our prayers rise up before your throne,
and may our requests be granted.
We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Sixth Sunday of Easter (C) : The Universal Prayer / Bidding Prayers / Intercessions / Prayer of the Faithful

Sixth Sunday of Easter (C)
“Peace I bequeath to you, my own peace I give you” (John 14:27)

Priest:
We turn to our God in prayer asking him to grant us his peace and give us his saving help.

Reader:
We pray that Pope Francis, and the bishops, priests and deacons of the church will receive the peace of the Holy Spirit as they lead us on our journey of faith.
Lord hear us.

We pray that we may be open to all the promptings of the Spirit: that we may find in ourselves the strength to forgive and understand.
Lord, hear us.

We pray for our parish community: that we may we draw closer Jesus and to each other by supporting and caring for one another in good times and in bad.
Lord, hear us.

We pray for all who are in need of the peace that Christ gives- the poor, the lonely and the sick, and all those who suffer because of human wickedness: that those struggling under the burden of their suffering may be strengthened and comforted by that the spirit of peace. Lord, hear us.

For all those who have died: [especially for …] and for all whose anniversaries occur at this time. May they enter the peace of the kingdom where faith melts into the vision of God, where hope is fulfilled, and love abides forever. Lord hear us

In this month of Our Lady, the mother of peace, we ask for her intercession as we say Hail Mary.

Let us pray for a moment in silence

Priest:
Father, hear our prayers, make us like your Son in the peace which dwells within us and which we share with others, that we may be witnesses of your everlasting love and mercy for the world. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Fifth Sunday of Easter (C) : The Universal Prayer / Bidding Prayers / Intercessions / Prayer of the Faithful

Fifth Sunday of Easter (C)
Love one another, as I have loved you. (John 13:34)

Priest:
Jesus teaches us that we should love one another as he has loved us. Trusting in his mercy and compassion, let us present our needs to the Father.

Reader:
We pray for the Church, that she may continue to make Jesus known to the world through words of hope and works of love.
Lord, hear us.

We pray for those in authority, and all who serve in public office, that the Lord may direct them in the ways of truth. Where they are right, may the Lord strengthen and confirm them; where they are in error, may he direct them for the good of all people.
Lord, hear us.

We pray for the sick and those who care for them: that the love of Christ may comfort and encourage them, and be a firm hope in times of trouble.
Lord, hear us.

We pray for those who have died, for those who died recently (especially for …) and for those whose anniversaries occur at this time, that the love of Christ may welcome them into the joy of heaven.
Lord, hear us.

With Mary, whose pure heart is so close to the sacred heart of her risen Son, we pray, Hail Mary ..

Now, let us make our private petitions to our heavenly Father.

Priest:
Heavenly Father, source of all love, work in us and through us, to bring the love of your Son into the darkness of the world so that everyone will know that we are his disciples.  We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Easter 4 : The Universal Prayer / Bidding Prayers / Intercessions / Prayer of the Faithful

Easter 4 (C)

Priest:
Let us turn in prayer to the Father, that his Son, the Good Shepherd may protect, guide and lead us in the light of his love.

Reader:
We pray for the Church, for Francis our Pope, Archbishop Bernard, our auxiliary bishops, all priests, deacons, religious, and faithful people: may this holy season bring us closer to the Lord in prayer, in hope and in Easter joy.
Lord, hear us.

We pray for vocations, especially to the priesthood and the religious life:
May we all respond to the voice of the Good Shepherd who calls us to love and serve others. Lord, hear us.

We pray for all refugees, who have been driven far from their homes:
may the Good Shepherd embrace them in his mercy, and may they be treated with respect and dignity as the children of his flock.
Lord, hear us.

We pray for the children making their first holy communion this weekend: may the Good Shepherd always enfold them in his love.

We pray for the dead and the dying: may the loving Shepherd gather them all to the glory of heaven. Lord, hear us.

May Mary join her prayers to ours as we pray. Hail Mary.

Let us pray for a moment in silence.

Priest:
God our Father, who raised Jesus our Good Shepherd from the dead, hear our prayers, that we may all dwell in the sheepfold of his boundless mercy. We ask this through Christ, our Lord.

Easter 3 : The Universal Prayer / Bidding Prayers / Intercessions / Prayer of the Faithful

Easter 3
‘Lord, you know everything; you know I love you.’ (John 21:19)

Priest:
Strengthened by God's word and his ever merciful love, we turn to Him with prayer for our needs and the needs of the world.

Reader:
For Pope Francis: that as the true successor of St Peter he may blend gentleness with strength in a spirit of loving mercy.
Lord, hear us.

For those who suffer for their faith, especially those in Sri Lanka and all persecuted Christians: that the risen Lord will strengthen them with his presence and enable them to see that he shares their suffering.
Lord, hear us.

For the sick and housebound members of our families and parish community: that through our spiritual and practical care, our sick brothers and sisters may feel a true sense of belonging and value.
Lord, hear us.

For all who have died: for the martyrs of Sri Lanka, and all the holy souls:
That the love and compassion of the Lord may embrace them in the peace of his kingdom.
Lord, hear us.

Let us join our prayers with those of Mary as we say, Hail Mary…

Let us bring our personal intentions to God in the silence of our hearts.

Priest:
God our Father, provide us with all the graces we need to remain faithful to you. We ask this through our Risen Lord, Jesus Christ. Amen.