Tag: Holy Spirit

O God, we acknowledge You today as Lord, Not only of individuals, but of nations and governments.

We thank You for the privilege Of being able to organize ourselves politically And of knowing that political loyalty Does not have to mean disloyalty to You.

We thank You for Your law, Which our Founding Fathers acknowledged And recognized as higher than any human law.

We thank You for the opportunity that this election year puts before us, To exercise our solemn duty not only to vote, But to influence countless others to vote, And to vote correctly.

Lord, we pray that Your people may be awakened. Let them realize that while politics is not their salvation, Their response to You requires that they be politically active.

Awaken Your people to know that they are not called to be a sect fleeing the world But rather a community of faith renewing the world.

Awaken them that the same hands lifted up to You in prayer Are the hands that pull the lever in the voting booth; That the same eyes that read Your Word Are the eyes that read the names on the ballot, And that they do not cease to be Christians When they enter the voting booth.

Awaken Your people to a commitment to justice, To the sanctity of marriage and the family, To the dignity of each individual human life, And to the truth that human rights begin when Human Lives Begin, And not one moment later.

Lord, we rejoice today That we are citizens of Your kingdom.

May that make us all the more committed To being faithful citizens on earth.

We ask this through Jesus Christ, our Lord.

Amen

– Fr. Frank Pavone

God of mercy, our nation is in a time of great transition.

With all of the injustice and fear in our world today,

we ask you to inspire us and guide us as we participate in the upcoming presidential elections.

We seek a government that upholds and protects human rights and justice for all its citizens,

regardless of race, class, gender, or religion.

Move and inspire us by your presence among us in the most vulnerable in our society.

For their tears are your tears, their pain is your pain, their suffering is your suffering.

In gratitude for the right to vote, we pray.

– Anna Misleh

Thank you Lord for discernment to see, listen and act with a heart like you!

Lord God, as the election approaches, we seek to better understand the issues and concerns that confront our country and how the Gospel compels us to respond as faithful citizens in our community.

We ask for eyes that are free from blindness so that we might see each other as brothers and sisters, one and equal in dignity, especially those who are victims of abuse and violence, deceit and poverty.

We ask for ears that will hear the cries of children unborn and those abandoned, men and women oppressed because of race or creed, religion or gender.

We ask for minds and hearts that are open to hearing the voice of leaders who will bring us closer to your Kingdom.

We pray for discernment so that we may choose leaders who hear your Word, live your love, and keep in the ways of your truth as they follow in the steps of Jesus and his Apostles and guide us to your Kingdom of justice and peace.

We ask this in the name of your Son Jesus Christ and through the power of the Holy Spirit.

– Anna Misleh

Today we celebrate a significant feast in the Catholic Church dedicated to honoring all the saints, both known and unknown, who have attained heaven. This solemnity acknowledges the “great cloud of witnesses” mentioned in Hebrews 12:1, celebrating the lives of those who have faithfully followed Christ.  We are all called to be saints and Smitten with Goodness. If you are looking for someone to walk alongside you in your faith journey, let me know.  On this Fourth Anniversary of this blog, let’s remember and pray for all the faithful departed, reflecting on the communion of saints and the hope of eternal life.

Heavenly Father,

We come before You today with grateful hearts, celebrating the feast of All Saints. We honor all the saints, both known and unknown, who have faithfully followed Your will and now rejoice in Your presence in heaven.

Lord, we thank You for their example of holiness and dedication. May their lives inspire us to live with the same fervor and commitment to Your teachings. Help us to strive for sainthood in our own lives, seeking to love and serve You with all our hearts.

We pray for the strength to follow in their footsteps, to be courageous in our faith, and to trust in Your divine plan. As we remember the communion of saints, we ask for their intercession, that we may grow in virtue and grace.

On this special day, we also remember and pray for all the faithful departed. Grant them eternal rest and let perpetual light shine upon them. May we all be united in Your love, looking forward to the day when we will join the saints in heaven.

In Jesus’ name, we pray.

Amen.

Throughout our lives, we endeavor to see God and seek Him in our actions. Afterall, everything around us belongs to God. By observing God’s creation, we can see and respond to Him as we are part of this creation, along with our neighbors and even our enemies.

We strive to have a pure heart, and to follow God. We achieve this by recognizing the divine presence in those around us, continually seeking God’s face, and listening for His voice. Today, take a moment to appreciate the beauty of creation, rejoice in it, and praise God for revealing Himself to you.

God, creator of the world,  you have given us all that is good. And caused the world to flourish. Open our eyes so that we may see the beauty of your kingdom and tend and protect it for generations to come.

Through Christ our Lord.

Amen.