Fourth Sunday of Lent, A, March 19, 2023
We offer our petitions to the Father asking that we may overcome our own blindness in order to see his will in our lives.
- That as Francis begins his 11th year of Pope, the light he shines may cut through blindness in the world to reveal Jesus and to inspire the Church to be more loving, merciful, and welcoming. We pray to the Lord.
- That leaders of nations will not judge their neighbors by appearances or lofty stature but may look into the hearts of all people and see the genuine goodness of God’s creation. We pray to the Lord.
- That on this Laetare Sunday, we may be joyful despite challenges in our loves because we know the Lord is with us. We pray to the Lord.
- That blindness to the suffering of others, to beauty, and to the need for fraternity may be wiped away by the light that produces every kind of goodness and righteousness and truth. We pray to the Lord.
- That those engaging in war, persecution, human trafficking, and the drug trade will come to see their activities as fruitless works of darkness that must be exposed to the light of the Lord and ended. We pray to the Lord.
- That those who are physically blind may receive the support and encouragement needed to live joyful lives with a light that reveals the beauty and resolve of the human spirit. We pray to the Lord.
- That we will not be so blinded that we do not recognize our own sin but will use this Lenten season to pray and repent so that we may truly see. We pray to the Lord.
- That “religious leaders of all faiths will encourage those with responsibilities in civil society to promote political actions that protect the fundamental rights of each person and promote fraternity and mutual acceptance as a concrete response to today’s challenges.”[1] We pray to the Lord.
- That the children of Southern Africa and all people in that region threatened by cholera may have access to safe drinking water and better sanitation and may benefit from improved health systems. We pray to the Lord.
- That those who suffer from chronic diseases or disabilities may receive the grace to see the best way to manage their health and know Jesus’ love for them. We pray to the Lord.
- That those who have died abandoned in international waters, fleeing war, escaping poverty, or avoiding persecution may find peace for all ages with the angels and saints in heaven. We pray to the Lord.
God our Father, may we overcome the many instances of blindness in our lives through your answer to our prayers so that we may proclaim with the blind man who was given sight, “I do believe, Lord,” We make these prayers through Christ our Lord. Amen.
[1] Letter of Pope Francis to the spiritual leader of Iraqi Shiites, March 14, 2023.
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