Weekly Prayers of the Faithful

Fifth Sunday of Lent, March 17, 2024

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Fifth Sunday of Lent, March 17, 2024

We offer our prayers to the Father so that we might hear His voice in our lives.

  1. That the Church may advocate for peace in all troubled areas of the world and model peace by acting with compassion, mercy, and love to all neighbors.  We pray to the Lord.
  2. That in these dramatic times in which we often must come to terms with the worst of humanity, may virtue be rediscovered as a habitual and firm disposition to do good and be practiced by all.[1]  We pray to the Lord.
  3. That the strength of God may guide us, the wisdom of God instruct us, the hand of God protect us, the way of God direct us, and the grace of God always be ours, this day and for evermore.[2]  We pray to the Lord. 
  4. That the law of God may be placed within us and written upon our hearts so that we will know the Lord who forgives our evildoing and remembers our sin no more.  We pray to the Lord.
  5. That children displaced by war, kidnapping, or flight from oppression and those facing starvation will be restored to their families, granted relief from fear and suffering, and be able to enjoy life while participating in creating a bright future.  We pray to the Lord.
  6. That the pleas of Pope Francis for weapons to be silenced and for the courage to foster paths of peace will be heard above the deafening silence of diplomacy, the absence of political leadership capable of betting on peace, and the allocations of huge sums of money for destruction that could offer basic healthcare security.[3]  We pray to the Lord.  
  7. That we may prepare well for Easter in these last weeks of Lent by praying with the Greeks, “We would like to see Jesus,” so that we will better know his actions in the trials and joys of our lives.  We pray to the Lord. 
  8. That in his great mercy, the Lord will create clean hearts in each of us, thoroughly wash us of guilt, and cleanse us of all sin.  We pray to the Lord.
  9. That those who are ill due to lack of nourishment or dehydration will receive sustenance through concerted efforts to ensure that all lives are respected and cared for.  We pray to the Lord.
  10. That our family and friends who have died may be like grains of wheat so that memories of their lives will be a heritage that produces much fruit in our own lives and in the lives of those who knew them.  We pray to the Lord.

God our Father through your answers to our petitions, may we find the way to serve your Son, follow Him, and preserve our lives for eternal salvation.  We offer our prayers through Christ our Lord.   Amen.

[1] Based on comments of Pope Francis at his General Audience, March 13, 2024.

[2] Based on a Prayer of St. Patrick.

[3] Based on editorial of Andrea Tornielli in Vatican News, March 13, 2024.

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