Weekly Prayers of the Faithful

Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe, November 26, 2023

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Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe, November 26, 2023

We offer our prayers to the Father asking for the blessings of his Son, Jesus Christ, the King of the Universe.    

  1. That the Church may be an agent of the Good Shepherd, seeking out the lost, bringing back the strayed, binding up the injured, and healing the sick.  We pray to the Lord.
  2. That the United Nations Trade and Development Board will bring peace to Africa through its focus on promoting sustainable economic growth, creating decent work opportunities, and combatting poverty and inequality.[1]  We pray to the Lord.
  3. That the horrible waste of human ingenuity and resources that focuses on weapons of hatred, destruction of cultures, and practices of persecution and oppression may be redirected to activities that benefit all people and allow diverse views and cultures to thrive together in peace.  We pray to the Lord.
  4. That the Church will strive “to provide human and spiritual care to people who work or transit in ports, raising her voice for their well-being … so that no one is left behind” as they assure that food and instruments of peace are distributed to those in need.[2] We pray to the Lord.
  5. That the beatitudes will inspire each of us to act on behalf of human life by feeding and clothing the impoverished, welcoming those forced to flee their homelands, and caring for the sick and imprisoned. We pray to the Lord.
  6. That health care professionals who labor under stressful circumstances to alleviate suffering and bring healing to war-torn areas will “not neglect to take care of themselves.”[3]  We pray to the Lord.
  7. That Pope Francis will be blessed with wisdom and insight in his address at the United Nations Climate Conference next Saturday in Dubai, sharing a message of respect and concern for the Earth that will be heard by all nations.  We pray to the Lord.
  8. That the flame of hope, kindled in each of us, may not be extinguished by the worries, fears, and pressures of daily life but will be nurtured by the gentle breeze of the Holy Spirit present in our prayers, daily decisions, and faith.[4]  We pray to the Lord.
  9. That young people may not be “afraid to share with others the hope and joy of the risen Christ … that is meant for everyone.”[5]  We pray to the Lord.
  10. That priests will not trust only in great ideas and well-designed pastoral proposals but will abandon themselves to the One who has called them to give themselves with fidelity and constancy and will make their efforts bear good fruit.[6]  We pray to the Lord.
  11. That those who are injured, ill, and suffering from the wars in Gaza and Ukraine will receive proper medical care motivated by compassion that all people must share for each other.  We pray to the Lord.
  12. That infants, children, the elderly, and all innocents trampled on and killed by the horrors of war will be received with great joy in the eternal life of heaven.  We pray to the Lord.

O God, your Son, Jesus our King, has revealed you to be a merciful and loving Father.  May we live according to your will so that our lives reflect that mercy and love to all we encounter.  We make these prayers through Christ our Lord. Amen.

[1] From Comments of Archbishop Ettore Balestrero, Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the UN and other International Organizations in Geneva, Switzerland on November 20, 2023.

[2] Quote from Msgr. Fernando Chica Arellano, Permanent Obsever of the Holy See to the UN Food and Agriculture Organization on World Fisheries Day, November 21, 2023.

[3] Quote from Pope Francis in his address to the Italian Federation of Pediatricians and the Italian Association of Hospital Otolaryngologists. Reported by Vatican News, November 18, 2023.

[4] Based on the text of the Message of His Holiness Pope Francis for the XXXVIII World Youth Day, November 26, 2023.

[5] Quote from the text of the Message of His Holiness Pope Francis for the XXXVIII World Youth Day, November 26, 2023.

[6] Edited quote of Pope Francis in his address to the annual conference of the National Association of Hispanic Priests operating in the United States, November 16, 2023.

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