24th Sunday of Ordinary Time, September 12, 2021
We offer our prayers to the Father asking that the answers we receive may lead us to live our faith more fully by the way we treat those in need.
- That the Church may know that we are not alone in a hostile universe, not alone with a thirst for freedom and eternity, so that we may live with confidence that the Eucharist overcomes every loneliness, every distance, and every indifference.[1] We pray to the Lord.
- That in commemorating September 11, all countries and peoples will commit themselves to oppose the evil evidenced in every form of terrorism whose hatred seeks merely to destroy peace, lives, and human compassion. We pray to the Lord.
- That young people who are the victims of the most heinous crimes of humanity in kidnapping, trafficking, separation from their families, and denial of the right to peace and happiness may be saved through compassionate efforts and faith that is demonstrated through works. We pray to the Lord.
- That we will have the courage of Peter to declare that Jesus is the Christ, the Redeemer, when we are faced with difficult situations that challenge our faith and the truths it professes. We pray to the Lord.
- That we will learn with Peter that we do not inform the Lord what he is to do by our prayers and gain the humility to remain faithful despite the times when we think not as God does but as human beings do. We pray to the Lord.
- That when faced with difficult decisions in following Jesus, we may have the grace to deny ourselves, take up our crosses, and follow him losing our lives for his sake and for the gospel so that our souls may be freed from death. We pray to the Lord.
- That During this Season of Creation, we may resolve to care for our planet; to relieve the suffering caused by climate extremes producing hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, drought, fires, and earthquakes; and to ensure that we leave a healthy planet to our children and their children. We pray to the Lord.
- That the suffering of women, children, and those in fear of living in Afghanistan will be mitigated by selfless pressure from all countries with influence and resources and by growth in understanding of the value and importance of each human life. We pray to the Lord.
- That the covid pandemic will be conquered by responsible use and sharing of vaccines and by sacrifices of personal agendas in schools and the work place for the well-being of others. We pray to the Lord.
- That the USCCB “Civilize It” program whose stated aim is to bring charity, clarity, and creativity to interactions with others so that we may be neighbors to all will not be just another example of faith without works but will bring understanding, dialogue, and solutions to divisive problems plaguing the Church of which Fr. Christopher’s case is just one example. We pray to the Lord.
- That refugees who are suffering as they flee poverty and turmoil in their native countries and are rebuffed by those unwilling to help them will not despair and will find compassionate outreach from our hands and the hands of those whose faith prompts them to act. We pray to the Lord.
- That those who are ill and suffering may see their disease as a sharing in the cross of Christ and know the comfort that comes from being close to Jesus. We pray to the Lord.
- That the lives of those who died on September 11, and of those who have given their lives in its aftermath serving our country, protecting us, and seeking peace in the world will be saved for all eternity in the kingdom of heaven. We pray to the Lord.
O God, may your answer to our prayers embolden us to truly live the faith we profess so that our lives will be effective witnesses of the gospel. We make these
[1] Based on the homily of Angelo Cardinal Bagnasco at the opening Mass of the 52nd International Eucharistic Congress in Budapest, September 5, 2021.
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