Weekly Prayers of the Faithful

Second Sunday of Advent, December 8, 2024

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Second Sunday of Advent, December 8, 2024

We offer our prayers to the Father seeking to overcome the distractions in our lives and prepare our hearts for the coming of His Son.   

  1. That the Church will echo John in proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins that will lead all nations and peoples to prepare for the coming of the Lord.  We pray to the Lord.  
  2. That world leaders and “every man and woman of good will [will] do everything possible to stop [the wars raging in Gaza, Syria, and Ukraine] and to promote dialogue, fraternity, and reconciliation.”[1]  We pray to the Lord.
  3. That today we will join our voices with those of the people of the Church in Nicaragua in support of their freedom from oppression, so that no one feels alone even amid religious persecution.[2] We pray to the Lord. 
  4. That the upcoming Jubilee may strengthen us in our faith, helping us to recognize the Risen Christ in the midst of our lives, transforming us into pilgrims of Christian hope.[3]  We pray to the Lord.
  5. That “as children of the one God, we [will] love and honor one another, respect diversity and differences in a spirit of fraternity and inclusion, and care for one another as well as for the Earth, our common home.”[4] We pray to the Lord.
  6. That the region of Gaza, near the birthplace of the infant Jesus, that has witnessed the death of more than 13,000 children, close to 800 under the age of 1, will find peace that reflects respect for all life and gives glory and praise to God.  We pray to the Lord.
  7. That our love may increase ever more and more in knowledge and every kind of perception, to discern what is of value, so that we might be pure and blameless for the day of Christ.  We pray to the Lord.
  8. That during this Advent season, we will find quiet time to pray so that we might clearly hear our personal call to prepare the way of the Lord and to make straight his paths amidst the mountains and rough, winding roads of our lives.  We pray to the Lord.
  9. That victims of human trafficking led away on foot by their enemies will be freed from their enslavement and be led by God in joy back to their homes and families.  We pray to the Lord.
  10. That the sick may be lifted up by our prayers, by insightful medical care, and by the support of friends and family.  We pray to the Lord. 
  11. That those who are weeping at the loss of loved ones may take off their robes of mourning and misery and be filled with the joy of memories of family and friends given to them by the Lord.  We pray to the Lord. 

God our Father, we thank you for your presence in our lives as we wait in joyful hope for the coming of your Son Jesus. We make these prayers through Christ our Lord.  Amen.

[1] Quote from statement of Pope Francis after praying the Angelus, December 1, 2024.

[2] Based on the call of the bishops of Central America to offer an “expression of closeness and fraternal appreciation” for the Church in Nicaragua on December 8, the Feast of the Immaculate Conception (moved to December 9 by the USCCB this year). 

[3] Intention of Pope Francis for December, 2024.

[4] From address of Pope Francis to participants in the “All Religions Conference,”  Vatican City, November 29—30, 2024.

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