Weekly Prayers of the Faithful

Pentecost Sunday, May 19, 2024

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Pentecost Sunday, May 19, 2024

On this Pentecost Sunday we approach the Father asking for the gifts of the Holy Spirit revealed to us by his Son. 

  1. That the Holy Spirit who inspired those gathered in one place will fill the hearts and minds of Pope Francis and the bishops so that they may speak with tongues that draw all people to the Father.  We pray to the Lord.
  2. That the different languages spoken in warring nations will not be a barrier to communication so that they may find understanding and peace.  We pray to the Lord.  
  3. That people forced to look to the sky at the sound of air raid signals and see the fires of weapons may instead experience the Holy Spirt whose fire fills them wisdom, fortitude, kindness, and generosity.  We pray to the Lord.
  4. That expected winds of the hurricane season with their strength to destroy homes and lives may instead be the strong driving wind of the Holy Spirit that allows us to build communities of faith.  We pray to the Lord.
  5. That the scarred faces of Gaza, Ukraine, and other war-torn areas may be renewed as God sends out his Spirit.  We pray to the Lord.
  6. That we will find benefit in the differences in manifestations of the Spirit given to each individual and will draw all people together from the mainstream and margins of society.  We pray to the Lord.
  7. That the Holy Spirit will be our soul’s most welcome guest who shines within our hearts and fills our inmost being refreshing us here on Earth, healing wounds, washing stains of guilt away, and guiding our steps that we might not go astray.  We pray to the Lord. 
  8. That Jesus may always be in our midst and that we may hear his words, “Peace be with you,” as we encounter challenges that might cause us worry and fear.  We pray to the Lord.
  9. That we will begin our observation of this Laudato Si’ Week by contemplating nature and invoking the Holy Spirit to guide us and allow us to perceive the divine presence in every element of nature.[1] We pray to the Lord.
  10. That we will understand well that “Peace is made with our hands in our homes, in the family, among neighbors, in our workplace, in the neighborhoods where we live, and is not only built by the powerful with their choices and international treaties.”[2] We pray to the Lord.
  11. That the Holy Spirit will fill the hearts of those who are ill that they will know the fire of his love and rejoice in his consolation.  We pray to the Lord.
  12. That the sins of those who have died may be forgiven them so that they will be guided by the Holy Spirit to the eternal live of heaven.  We pray to the Lord.

Lord God, you show us your love by sending your Holy Spirit to guide us.  May we return that love in gratitude for all that you have given us by committing ourselves to caring for each other and for your creation.  We make our prayer through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

[1] Based on Sunday suggestion for observing Pentecost in nature in Celebration Guide Laudato Si’ Week 2024 found at https://drive.google.com/file/d/1b1FBULLGeUEv561CdXUkQROBwbj5wOEX/view

[2] Essentially quoted from the preface written by Pope Francis for the book, Justice and Peace Will Embrace, a collection of reflections prior to his visit to Verona on May 18, 2024.

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