33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time, November 13, 2022
Sixth World Day of the Poor
Scripture reminds us that although we may have to face wars, insurrections, earthquakes, famines, and plagues, not a hair on our heads will be destroyed if we have faith in God. We ask the Father for the grace to live that faith.
- That the Church may provide wisdom and guidance so that all Christians may persevere in the face of persecution and secure their lives. We pray to the Lord.
- That world leaders and army generals will hear and respond to the declaration of Pope Francis that “conflicts will never be resolved through the childish logic of weapons, but only through the mild force of dialogue.”[1] We pray to the Lord.
- That those “who are afflicted and who suffer so much cruelty on the part of mercenaries who wage war”[2] will find peace. We pray to the Lord.
- That we will observe this World Day of the Poor “as a healthy challenge, helping us to reflect on our style of life and on the many forms of poverty all around us.”[3] We pray to the Lord.
- That as members of civil society, we will uphold the values of freedom, responsibility, fraternity, and solidarity while as Christians we will always make charity, faith, and hope the bases of our lives and our actions.[4] We pray to the Lord.
- In thanksgiving for the many selfless people who reach out with sincere and generous concern to assist those whose homes have been destroyed and whose lives have been disrupted by wars or natural disasters. We pray to the Lord.
- That just as for our sakes Christ became poor, we may embrace a poverty that results from a responsible decision to cast off all dead weight and concentrate on what is essential.[5] We pray to the Lord.
- That we will reject pride and evil so that on each new day, driven by love of God, we will experience the sun of justice with its healing rays. We pray to the Lord.
- That those who labor in difficult jobs so that they and their families may eat will receive respect and appreciation for their efforts and not be treated with disdain because of cultural, racial, or language differences. We pray to the Lord.
- That those who are weak or ill while in flight from war, violence, or disaster will find welcoming places of shelter and rest that restore them to health and strength. We pray to the Lord.
- That those who succumb each day to the ravages of injustice, persecution, or hatred may know the just love of the Lord for all eternity. We pray to the Lord.
God, our Father, we offer these petitions seeking your help so that we may be better able to stand erect and raise our heads confident that our redemption is at hand. We offer these prayers through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
[1] General Audience of Pope Francis, November 9, 2022.
[2] General Audience of Pope Francis, November 9, 2022.
[3] Message of Pope Francis for the Sixth World Day of the Poor, Paragraph 1. 13 June 2022.
[4] Message of Pope Francis for the Sixth World Day of the Poor, Paragraph 5. 13 June 2022.
[5] Based on message of Pope Francis for the Sixth World Day of the Poor, Paragraph 8. 13 June 2022.
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