Second Sunday of Ordinary Time, A, January 19, 2020

Second Sunday of Ordinary Time, A, January 19, 2020

As we return to Ordinary Time in which we count the Sundays of the Church year, we offer our petitions knowing that you hear and answer us in the special events of our lives as well as the ordinary.

1. That the Church may be a light to the nations that salvation may reach to the ends of the earth. We pray to the Lord.
2. That tensions among world leaders may ease as they turn their efforts to building a just society that offers peace, security, and opportunity to all people. We pray to the Lord.
3. That those who serve our country in the military and as first responders may be protected from harm and know the gratitude of those for whom they are willing to offer their lives. We pray to the Lord.
4. That during this International Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, we may promote unity among all Christians through prayer and respect for all who seek to follow Jesus. We pray to the Lord.
5. That we may grow in reverence for human life in all it stages from conception until natural death through prayer and participation in the novena of 9 Days for Life. We pray to the Lord.
6. That Catholic bishops may humbly seek to serve God and his people more than their personal biases, agendas, and desires for honor and power. We pray to the Lord.
7. That the fires in Australia and the threatening volcanic fires in the Philippines will subside and not cause further harm to people and the environment. We pray to the Lord.
8. That Fr. Christopher’s priesthood may be preserved so that at each Mass he can declare to all people, as did John the Baptist, “Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world” and thereby lead them to Jesus. We pray to the Lord.
9. That even as they suffer with difficult diseases, all who are ill may join with the psalmist in praying, “Here I am, Lord; I come to do your will.”. We pray to the Lord.
10. That those who have died will be received into heaven and rejoice forever with all the angels and saints.. We pray to the Lord.
11. For our own intentions that we recall in silence…….. We pray to the Lord.

O God we offer these prayers with hope that in your answers, all that bothers us and deflects our attention from living our faith will dissipate so that we may turn to you and recognize you as the Son of God, as did John the Baptist.  Amen.