Weekly Prayers of the Faithful

First Sunday of Lent, February 18, 2024

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First Sunday of Lent, February 18, 2024

On this first Sunday of Lent, we offer our prayers to the Father asking for grace to resist evil and repent from our sins as we seek to do God’s will.

  1. That the Church will be an agent of reconciliation during this Lenten season inviting the marginalized, the warring, the displaced, the self-satisfied, and the prosperous — all of us — to repent and believe in the Gospel.  We pray to the Lord.
  2. That as Noah survived the great flood by building an ark, may civic leaders build institutions that provide refuge for those who suffer from injustice, poverty, persecution, and disasters.  We pray to the Lord.
  3. That the common good and peace in our society will be supported by police officers who, when faced with evil, do not stand by and watch, but take the responsibility of intervening to protect the victims and bring the transgressors back to order.[1]  We pray to the Lord.
  4. That artisans will use the skill of their hands, the passion of the heart, and the ideas of the mind as they collaborate with God to produce artifacts throughout the world that develop fraternity.[2]  We pray to the Lord.
  5. That we may demonstrate love by being “restrained in words but generous in action; reluctant to show off but ready to be helpful; effective in assisting because [of a willingness] to listen; and friends who can be asked, ‘Will you help me?’”[3] We pray to the Lord.
  6. For peace in Sudan — with over 15,000 lives lost, 10 million displaced, and 19 million children out of school amid widespread human rights violations — that citizens may find food, water, health services, and safety that enables them to resume lives without fear.  We pray to the Lord.  
  7. That God may inspire plans to end the suffering in Gaza so that all people in the region may live together with mutual respect and understanding.  We pray to the Lord. 
  8. That we may appreciate rainbows in the sky for their beauty, as reminders of God’s sign of love for all people, and as calls for us to love God by protecting the Earthly environment for generations to come.  We pray to the Lord.
  9. That we will be grateful for the waters of our baptism which save us now, not by a removal of dirt, but as an appeal to God for clear conscience through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.  We pray to the Lord. 
  10. That those suffering from illnesses, depression, or the temptations of Satan may be granted grace to overcome and be ministered to by the angels of heaven and Earth.  We pray to the Lord.
  11. That those who have died this past week will be freed from all suffering and will be with Jesus who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God. We pray to the Lord.

God, our Father, we seek your forgiveness for our failings and ask that through our Lenten sacrifices we may receive answers to our prayers and come to know and do your will.  We make these prayers through Christ our Lord.   Amen.

[1] Based on remarks of Pope Francis to the group of police officers charged with maintaining order in St. Peter’s Square, 10 February 2024.

[2] Based on remarks of Pope Francis at his meeting with the Italian Association of Craftsmen, 10 February 2024.

[3] Quote from Pope Francis at Angelus, 11 February 2024.

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