Palm (Passion) Sunday (A) : The Universal Prayer / Bidding Prayers / Intercessions / Prayer of the Faithful

Palm (Passion) Sunday

‘My God, my God, why have you deserted me?’ (Mt 27:56)

Priest:

In these days of Holy Week, when Christ prayed and entreated his Father in the anguish of his Passion with humility and sorrow for our sins. May our Father hear and answer our prayers out of love for his Son, Jesus Christ.

Reader:

We pray for Christian people, that through the suffering of disunity there may grow a rich union in Christ. 

Lord, hear us. 

We pray for those who make laws, interpret them, and administer them, that our common life may be ordered in justice and mercy. 

Lord, hear us. 

We pray for the sick, 

that they may be given the blessings of peace and security, 

Lord, hear us. 

We pray for the departed in Christ, 

that they may find mercy on the day of Christ. 

Lord, hear us.  

We pray with Mary, who shared the agony of her son. Hail Mary … .

Let us pray for a moment in silence.

Priest:

Almighty and everlasting God, you hate nothing that you have made and forgive the sins of all those who are penitent. Create and make in us new and contrite hearts, that, lamenting our sins and acknowledging our wretchedness, we may receive from you, the God of all mercy, perfect forgiveness and peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

5th Sunday of Lent (A) : The Universal Prayer / Bidding Prayers / Intercessions / Prayer of the Faithful

Fifth Sunday of Lent (A)

“I am the resurrection and the life.” (John 11:25)

Priest:

As Easter draws near, we turn in hope to our loving Father, who is present here with us, as we bring before Him our prayers and concerns for the Church and for the world.

Reader:

For the Church, Pope Francis, and all bishops, priests, deacons and consecrated people: that they will faithfully fulfil the role bestowed on them, to proclaim God’s mercy to the world.

Lord, hear us.

For compassion in a troubled world. 

May the coming glories and hope of the resurrection bring reconciliation and inspire true and lasting peace.  

Lord, hear us.

For those who are sick; for the elderly and housebound; for those close to death and all who are troubled in mind, body or spirit. May the compassion of Christ who suffered for us be their hope and their comfort.

Lord, hear us. 

We pray for all who have died recently and those whose anniversaries occur at this time. May all those who mourn their loss be consoled in their grief by the Lord, who himself wept at the death of his friend Lazarus.

Lord, hear us.

With Our Lady, who stood at the foot of the cross, we pray for all God’s people, living and dead: Hail Mary ……

In silence we now make our personal petitions to the Lord.

Priest:

Heavenly Father, we ask you to listen to our prayers with love and compassion, for they are made in the name of him, whose life, death and resurrection brings salvation and hope to the whole world, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

4th Sunday of Lent (A) : The Universal Prayer / Bidding Prayers / Intercessions / Prayer of the Faithful

4th Sunday of Lent

"I am the light of the world." (John 9:5)

Priest:

The Lord gives sight to the blind, soothes the broken hearts, and opens minds which are closed against compassion. Confident of his love, let us make known our needs to him and ask for his mercy.

Reader:

For our Bishop N.,, and for all clergy and religious. May they always be true to their calling, fruitful in the work of leading the faithful and draw all they meet to embrace the Gospel message.

Lord, hear us.

For peace in the world, that all peoples may live together in mutual respect and mercy, without fear of violence or terrorism.

Lord, hear us.

For those without sight, or with any impairing condition. 

May they be supported in their needs, 

that they may have independence and dignity, 

so that we may see beyond any disability 

to the person created and loved by God. 

Lord, hear us.

For all mothers on this Mothering Sunday, may they always find joy and love from their children.

Lord, hear us.

For those among us whose mothers have gone to God, and who still daily feel the sadness of their loss. May we, through God's love for us, find consolation in memories of these special women, certain of their place in God's kingdom.  

Lord, hear us.

Let us turn to Mary our mother to intercede for us as we say, Hail Mary … …

Let us pray for our own intentions in silence.

Priest:

God our Father, we thank you for sending your only Son into the world to show us how to lead our lives. Help us as we strive to follow His example. We make these prayers through Christ our Lord. Amen.

3rd Sunday in Lent (A) : The Universal Prayer / Bidding Prayers / Intercessions / Prayer of the Faithful

3^rd Sunday in Lent (A)

“Whoever drinks of the water that I will give them will never be thirsty again.” (Jn 4:14)

Priest:

In his boundless generosity God provides us with the living water, which will become a string inside us, welling up to eternal life. Let us now we bring before him our needs, and the needs of the world, confident of his boundless mercy.

Reader:

We pray for our holy father, for all bishops priest and deacons, and all Christian people: that we may bring the living water of God’s love to all people, irrespective of their background or circumstances. 

Lord, hear us. 

We pray for the leaders of the nations,

That they may respect the dignity of all peoples,  and act with wisdom and integrity, to overcome the many challenges of our world.

Lord, hear us. 

We pray for those who do not have adequate supplies of clean water, because of poverty, war or natural disaster, and for the aid agencies that assist them in their need. 

Lord, hear us. 

We pray for our parish community, 

for those who are preparing to receive the sacraments of God’s love this Easter, 

And for all who are in any kind of need.

Lord, hear us. 

Let us ask Our Blessed Lady to join her prayers with ours as we say

 … Hail Mary ….

Now in silence we pray for our own needs and intentions.

Priest:

Merciful Lord, hear our prayers, 

and grant that what we ask in faith 

we may receive through Jesus Christ, Our Lord. Amen. 

Lent Two : The Universal Prayer / Bidding Prayers / Intercessions / Prayer of the Faithful

Lent Two

“This is my Son, the Beloved; he enjoys my favour.” (Mt 17:5)

Priest:

Today we reflect on the glory of the transfiguration. Bathed in that glory, let us pray to God our Father for the needs of the Church and of the world.

Reader:

We pray for the Church,

may more saints be raised up in our age, ready to leave all things for the sake of the gospel, so that through them, God's power may shine out in the world, as it did through Jesus in his transfiguration. 

Lord, hear us. 

We pray for those who find it difficult to profess their faith,

may they be given the grace not to be afraid, and so, being full of inner confidence, may they proclaim the saving power of the gospel, which overcomes all difficulties. 

Lord, hear us.  

We pray for CAFOD and other development agencies;

as they work tirelessly to help others help themselves,  may the Lord dispose us to give ever more generously to their work. 

Lord, hear us. 

We pray for the sick and those who care for them,

that the healing love of Christ may shine upon them. 

Lord, hear us. 

We pray for those departed this life,

that they may dwell in everlasting glory. 

Lord, hear us.  

Mary shared her Son's sorrows. We pray with her as we say: Hail Mary ….

In silence we make our private prayers to God our loving Father.

Priest:

Father, you called Abraham to be a model of faith, and you glorified your Son, Jesus. May we live in the hope and trust that you are always with us. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.