God insists that we ask, not because He needs to know our situation, but because we need the spiritual discipline of asking. We need to wrestle with knowing our needs, wants and desires in Christ free from the pull of the secular world in which we find ourselves.
An omniscient God must know what we desire before we ask. God knows that what we really need most is reliance on Him. And how do we develop reliance? Like most other things, by practicing.
If it weren’t for the need to remind ourselves daily or hourly that all power flows from our Creator, we could just say a quick prayer at the beginning of each week, or each year, and be done with it. Surely God would fill our requests a year ahead of time. But getting our wishes granted isn’t the purpose of prayer. Getting to know God is the purpose. I need to be in touch with my Creator every hour of the day.
Prayer for the Church:
Let’s pray St Augustine’s prayer for all Christian’s to love without measure.
Scattered about the entire earth, your mother the Church is tormented by the assaults of error. She is also afflicted by the laziness and indifference of so many of the children she carries around in her bosom as well as by the sight of so many of her members growing cold, while she becomes less able to help her little ones. Who then will give her the necessary help she cries for if not her children and other members to whose number you belong. Amen
Let’s cultivate the virtuous habit of intercessory prayer while performing great spiritual works of mercy in the same breath. In the words of Pope Francis:
“We are all leaves on the same tree: each one that falls reminds us of the great piety that must be nourished in prayer, for one another. So, let us pray for each other. It will do us good and do good for everyone.”
We can also take action to intercede for others in our personal prayer time with the following ACTS:
Adoration: we begin our intercession by adoring God, by praising Him for who He is; our Lord, Saviour, Creator etc,
Contrition: we acknowledge our sinfulness before Him because we have fallen short of His glory,
Thanksgiving: we thank the Lord for all His blessings, including the trials that come our way, and for His accompanying us through every moment of blessing and trial,
Supplication: we place the needs of those whom we are praying before God in faith and trust that He will hear our pleas in His time and in His way.
Lord, help us pray as you do today. Let us know your heart, help bear the burden of sin and disconnection with you and teach us to pray through your will. Amen
As we celebrate freedom, we must fear what kills the soul more than what kills the body. True freedom is only achieved by rooting out the thoughts and actions that are not in alignment with our beliefs.
In a world that declares itself independent of God, we make ourselves slaves to the world. As we examine our consciences to see how we can change, we will be restored to right order and walk the path as God designed. We must seek the giver of life.
All the nations you have made shall come to bow before you, Lord, and give honor to your name. For you are great and do wondrous deeds; and you alone are God” (Psalm 86:9-10).
Prayer for our Nation God our Father, giver of life, we entrust the United States of America to your loving care. You are the rock on which this nation was founded. You alone are the true source of our cherished rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Reclaim this land for your glory and dwell among your people.
Send your Spirit to touch the hearts of our nation’s leaders. Open their minds to the great worth of human life and the responsibilities that accompany human freedom. Remind your people that true happiness is rooted in seeking and doing your will.
Through the intercession of Mary Immaculate, patroness of our land, grant us the courage to reject the “culture of death.” Lead us into a new millennium of life. We ask this through Christ Our Lord. Amen.
Today we celebrate the Fourth of July, our country’s independence, where we let freedom ring. But what is true freedom? I’ve wrestled with what this means over the past few years and the Spirit has helped reframe the way I see dependence and obedience through God’s truth. Let’s pray for freedom and liberty today!
Litany for Liberty
Christ the Lord has called us out of darkness into his marvelous light. Let us turn to him in humble but fervent petition, seeking the grace to root out from our hearts all trace of darkness, and all that holds us back from walking in the full freedom of the children of God. As Christ is our great model for that inner freedom, which enables us to do the right, let us turn to him with confidence that we, too, may follow him to the fullness of spiritual freedom.
Lord, have mercy;
Christ, have mercy;
Lord, have mercy;
Jesus, victor over sin and death… Free our hearts.
Jesus, fullness of truth and mystery… Free our hearts.
Jesus, teacher of seeking hearts… Free our hearts.
Jesus, healer of body and soul… Free our hearts.
Jesus, bringer of mercy and justice… Free our hearts.
Jesus, who humble the heart and mind… Free our hearts.
Jesus, release of captives… Free our hearts.
Jesus, voice against violence… Free our hearts.
Jesus, courage for the lowly/downtrodden… Free our hearts.
Jesus, origin of all authority and power… Free our hearts.
Jesus, true lawgiver… Free our hearts.
Jesus, unity of order and passion… Free our hearts.
Jesus, freedom of the Spirit… Free our hearts.
Jesus, obedient Son of the Father… Free our hearts.
For the freedom to love… Give us your grace.
For the freedom to believe… Give us your grace.
For the freedom to hope… Give us your grace.
For the freedom to worship… Give us your grace.
For the freedom to serve in charity… Give us your grace.
For the freedom to care for the suffering… Give us your grace.
For the freedom to comfort the sick… Give us your grace.
For the freedom to feed the hungry… Give us your grace.
For the freedom to shelter the homeless…Give us your grace.
For the freedom to proclaim the Gospel… Give us your grace.
For the freedom to walk in chastity… Give us your grace.
For the freedom to live in peace… Give us your grace.
For the freedom to work in good conscience… Give us your grace.
For the freedom to stand in solidarity… Give us your grace.
For the freedom to seek justice… Give us your grace.
For the freedom to reject sin…Give us your grace.
For the freedom to reject coercion… Give us your grace
For the freedom to reject falsehood… Give us your grace
For the freedom to reject evil temptations… Give us your grace
For the freedom to reject injustice… Give us your grace
Closing Prayer
O God, who gave one origin to all peoples and willed to gather from them one family for yourself, fill all hearts, we pray, with the fire of your love and kindle in them a desire for the just advancement of their neighbor, that, through the good things which you richly bestow upon all, each human person may be brought to perfection, every division may be removed, and equity and justice may be established in human society. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God for ever and ever. Amen
We are nudged, prompted, and motivated to do what we ought to do because we first have been inspired by the instigator of all good prayer, the Holy Spirit. We are never more like Christ than in prayers of intercession.
One way of laying down our lives is by praying for somebody. In prayer, I’m saying, “my life for yours.” My time, my energy, my thought, my concern, my concentration, my faith – here they are for you. This is my labor of love, no sigh or small prayer is ever lost but rises to the ear of God.
Intercession is giving our very self, our time, strength, energy, and attention to the needs of others in a way that no one but God sees, no one but God will do anything about, and no one but God will ever reward you for.
TIPS FOR INTERCESSORY PRAYER
Still yourself, put yourself in God’s presence
Bring to mind someone you love
Ask Jesus what he wants you to pray for that person
Pray that prayer
Bring to mind someone you don’t know very well
Ask Jesus what he wants you to pray for that person
Pray that prayer
Bring to mind someone you are in conflict with or are struggling with
Ask Jesus what he wants you to pray for that person
The Catechism of the Catholic Church beautifully articulates the power and importance of intercessory prayer, emphasizing that “since Abraham, intercession—asking on behalf of another—has been characteristic of a heart attuned to God’s mercy” (CCC 2635). When we ask God for what others need, we are participating in a profound mystery of divine grace.
Our prayers become channels through which God’s love and blessings flow into the lives of those around us. This practice fosters a spirit of humility and trust, as we recognize our own limitations and turn to God, the source of all goodness, to provide for the needs of our brothers and sisters. Moreover, intercessory prayer unites us with the Communion of Saints, as we join our prayers with those of the saints in heaven, creating a powerful chorus of supplication before the throne of God. In this way, the prayer of intercession becomes a beautiful expression of our faith, hope, and charity, strengthening the bonds of our spiritual family and bringing us all closer to the heart of God.
Prayer for Peace
Let us dream together, pray together and work together, To build one world of peace and justice for all. Amen
In the rich tradition of Catholic spirituality, the practice of intercessory prayer holds a special place of honor and devotion. Intercessory prayer, the act of asking God to bestow His grace, mercy, and blessings upon others, reflects the deep interconnectedness of the Christian community. As members of the Body of Christ, we are called to bear one another’s burdens and to lift each other up in prayer, mirroring the love and compassion that Christ Himself showed during His earthly ministry.
By engaging in prayers of intercession, we become instruments of God’s love, interceding for the needs of friends, family, strangers, and even those who may have wronged us. This selfless act of petition not only benefits those for whom we pray but also transforms our own hearts, drawing us closer to God and reinforcing our commitment to live out the Gospel message of love and solidarity.
Prayer of Saint Francis Assisi
Christ be with me, Christ within me, Christ behind me, Christ before me, Christ beside me, Christ to win me, Christ to comfort me and restore me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me, Christ in the hearts of all who love me, Christ in the mouth of friend and stranger. Amen
St. John Henry Newman is celebrated not only for his theological insights but also for his profound reflections on personal vocation and purpose. His prayer, “The Mission of My Life,” encapsulates his deep understanding of divine providence and individual calling. In this beautiful and introspective prayer, Newman eloquently expresses the belief that every person has a unique role in God’s plan, encouraging the faithful to seek and embrace their God-given mission with trust and humility.
The Mission of My Life
God has created us to live in service, he has committed some work to me which he has not committed to any one else. I have my mission. I may never know what it is in this life, but I will be told about it in the next. I am a link in a chain, a bond of connection between persons.
He has not created me for naught. I shall do good; I shall do His work. I shall be an angel of peace, a preacher of truth in my own place, while not intending it if I do but keep His commandments.
Therefore, I will trust Him, whatever I am, I can never be thrown away. If I am in sickness, my sickness may serve Him, in perplexity, my perplexity may serve Him. If I am in sorrow, my sorrow may serve Him. He does nothing in vain. He knows what He is about. He may take away my friends. He may throw me among strangers. He may make me feel desolate, make my spirits sink, hide my future from me. Still, He knows what He is about.
Sometimes I take life too seriously and need to lighten up. As I’m getting older, I’m appreciating the lightness of laughter and realizing a good sense of humor is actually good for us. My husband loves to watch comedy specials for a good laugh and tries to get me to appreciate them. Much is lost on me however there are a few that resonate and cause me to laugh and have a shift of perspective. Most of the time my humor throughout the day is directed towards myself when I notice I’m setting unrealistic expectations or being too hard on myself. I’m learning to laugh, lean in and be gentle with myself.
Do you need to cultivate good humor in your day? Praying this prayer by St. Thomas More frequently can help!
Prayer for Good Humor
Grant me, O Lord, good digestion, and also something to digest. Grant me a healthy body, and the necessary good humor to maintain it. Grant me a simple soul that knows to treasure all that is good and that doesn’t frighten easily at the sight of evil, but rather finds the means to put things back in their place. Give me a soul that knows not boredom, grumblings, sighs and laments, nor excess of stress, because of that obstructing thing called “I.” Grant me, O Lord, a sense of good humor. Allow me the grace to be able to take a joke to discover in life a bit of joy, and to be able to share it with others.
The “Prayer for Charity in Truth” is a profound and timely invocation that calls for a deep, authentic love grounded in truth and justice. In an era where the complexities of social, economic, and ethical issues often challenge our understanding and practice of genuine charity, this prayer serves as a vital compass. It encourages believers to seek not only to act with compassion but to do so with a foundation of truth that respects the dignity and rights of every individual. Rooted in the principles of Catholic social teaching, the “Prayer for Charity in Truth” inspires us to go beyond superficial acts of kindness, urging us to engage in transformative love that addresses the root causes of injustice and inequality. As we navigate the intricacies of modern life, this prayer offers a beacon of hope and a call to action, reminding us that true charity is inseparable from the pursuit of truth. Through this prayer, we are invited to reflect deeply on how we can embody Christ’s love in our actions, advocating for a world where every person is valued and treated with the respect they deserve.
Prayer for Charity in Truth
Father, your truth is made known in your Word. Guide us to seek the truth of the human person. Teach us the way to love because you are Love.
Jesus, you embody Love and Truth. Help us to recognize your face in the poor. Enable us to live out our vocation to bring love and justice to your people.
Holy Spirit, you inspire us to transform our world. Empower us to seek the common good for all persons. Give us a spirit of solidarity and make us one human family.
Smitten With Goodness 