Weekly Prayers of the Faithful

First Sunday of Advent, December 3, 2023

sanibelschulzcomcastnet

First Sunday of Advent, December 3, 2023

As we begin this Advent season, we offer our prayers to the Father asking for the grace to be watchful and alert.   

  1. That the Church will be at the crossroads of society so that Christians may fill our communities — made pessimistic by wars, climate change, and widespread injustices — with the hope and joy of the Gospel.[1] We pray to the Lord.
  2. That the freeing of hostages and prisoners in Gaza and Israel will be the advent of an era of peace and mutual respect in the Holy Land.  We pray to the Lord.
  3. For peace.  That stone hearts will turn to tenderheartedness, evil intentions will turn to mercifulness, all the soldiers already deployed will be snatched out of harm’s way, and the whole world will be astounded onto its knees.[2]  We pray to the Lord.
  4. That as the Franciscan community celebrates the 800th anniversary of the Rule of St. Francis, its members may continue to distinguish themselves for virtue and holiness through adherence to the Gospel and commitment to following Jesus.[3]  We pray to the Lord.
  5. That on its 60th anniversary, the Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy by the Second Vatican Council may continue to foster devout participation in the Mass and sacraments by clergy and the laity.  We pray to the Lord.
  6. That during this Advent season, we will be especially watchful and alert to observe the many times and ways that the Lord enters into our lives.  We pray to the Lord.
  7. That those who participate in sports will set a good example on and off the field that “embodies the virtues of courage, perseverance, generosity, and respect for the God-given dignity of others.”[4] We pray to the Lord.
  8. That we will appreciate the poor, refugees, the mentally ill, the disabled, ourselves, and people in all stages of life as clay, with each one the work of the hands of our Father the potter.  We pray to the Lord. 
  9. That as we celebrate the end of hurricane season and begin winter, those who are without shelter, heat, or adequate clothing may find safety, warmth, and the loving care of welcoming communities.  We pray to the Lord.
  10. That the hardness of our own hearts may be softened during this Advent season of joyful hope in recognition of the awesome deeds done by our God for those who wait for him.  We pray to the Lord. 
  11. That Pope Francis and all who are suffering from flu and respiratory difficulties will find relief so that each breath they take will be a celebration of God’s gift of life.  We pray to the Lord.
  12. That through their watchfulness and the Lord’s gift of love, those who have died may have been found alert and waiting as they join with the angels and saints in heaven praising God.  We pray to the Lord.

God, our Father, may we see in your answer to our prayers your constant faithfulness that renews our faith, holds it firm to the end, and is irreproachable on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. We make these prayers through Christ our Lord.  Amen.

[1] From remarks of Pope Francis at his General Audience, November 29, 2023.

[2] Based on “I No Longer Pray for Peace” by Ann Weems (2010)

[3] Based on “‘Regula Bullata’: Franciscans celebrate 800 years of evangelical creativity” by Fr. Luke Gregory, OFM in Vatican News, November 28, 2023

[4] Quote from Pope Francis’ address to the Celtic Football Club, November 29, 2023.

Leave a comment