Sixteenth Sunday of Ordinary Time, July 19, 2020

Sixteenth Sunday of Ordinary Time, July 19, 2020

We offer our prayers to the Father at this time of disease, disagreements among nations, and divisions in society knowing that God is abounding in kindness to all who call upon him and will attend to the sound of our pleading.

1. That the Church may exhibit wisdom in all its pronouncements and actions teaching that those who are just must be kind and giving all people hope for repentance of their sins. We pray to the Lord.
2. That those who govern in these difficult times will put aside ideologies, pride, and lust for power in formulating policies that will provide protection from disease, war, and the consequences of hatred. We pray to the Lord.
3. That all people will joyfully put aside individual desires and personal convenience to act with concern for their communities and other individuals in efforts to control the coronavirus. We pray to the Lord.
4. That the Bannabikira Sisters who were robbed, beaten, and raped in Uganda and all women religious who offer their lives to God in service of humanity may be blessed with peace and be supported, respected, and encouraged for their efforts. We pray to the Lord.
5. That those in the scientific community working to prevent the spread of the coronavirus and develop methods for treating it may be blessed with wisdom, insight, and unfailing hope. We pray to the Lord.
6. That as we encounter weeds among the stalks of wheat in our lives, we may live with confidence in God’s promise that the wheat will prevail and be gathered into his barn. We pray to the Lord.
7. That those who are suffering from hunger, drought, disease, and heat will find mustard seeds of hope and the assistance they need to sow those seeds so that they may become large bushes of nourishment, health, and comfort. We pray to the Lord.
8. That Fr. Christopher will find that his bishop, in asserting his power over others, will exhibit Wisdom as he judges with clemency, governs with lenience, and exercises justice through kindness. We pray to the Lord.
9. That the sick may be blessed with capable medical care, support of family and friends, faith in God’s love, and a path to recovery from their illnesses. We pray to the Lord.
10. That those who have died alone due to quarantine, poverty, or homelessness will find welcome from the community of angels and saints in the everlasting life of heaven. We pray to the Lord.

O God, during these days when we suffer from separation from family and friends, we know that you remain close by our sides.  We come to you confident that you hear our pleas and grant us what we need for we make our prayers through Christ our Lord. Amen.