Second Sunday in Ordinary Time, January 19, 2025

Second Sunday in Ordinary Time, January 19, 2025

At this Eucharistic feast where bread and wine are changed into the Body and Blood of Christ, we turn to the Father with our needs. 

1. That we will recognize different spiritual gifts, different forms of service, and different workings of the same God who produces all of them in everyone so that the manifestation of the Spirit in each individual will benefit the Church.  We pray to the Lord.
2. That the agreement for a ceasefire and release of hostages in Gaza will lead to true peace in the Holy Land and recognition of the great waste of resources and life that accompanies all war.  We pray to the Lord.
3. That people in Los Angeles, Ukraine, and Gaza who may feel forsaken with their land desolate will know that they are the delight of the Lord and may find recovery, peace, and security.  We pray to the Lord. 
4. That those preparing for marriage will treasure the enduring graces of the sacrament above the passing trappings of their wedding feast knowing that as a bridegroom rejoices in his bride and a bride rejoices in her groom, so shall God rejoice in them.  We pray to the Lord.
5. That we too will heed the last words of Mary spoken in Scripture when she tells the servers about her son, “Do whatever he tells you.”  We pray to the Lord
6. That as the disciples began to believe in Jesus when he revealed his glory in Cana, we will believe in him as his glory is revealed to us as he acts in our lives.  We pray to the Lord.
7. That we will grow in faith, be healed by the Spirit, hear prophecies, discern spirits, and understand people of all languages and cultures as we order our lives in ways that demonstrate our love of God and love for all his creation.  We pray to the Lord. 
8. That we may know the freedom to celebrate the inauguration of a new president as a generous gift of God to our nation that we must protect and honor.  We pray to the Lord.
9. That the new administration of our country, in deriving its powers from the consent of the governed, will uphold the truths that all individuals are created equal and are endowed by our Creator with unalienable rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of the happiness found in truth.  We pray to the Lord.  
10. That the current novena of nine days for life will bring awareness that all actions that violate the sanctity of human life must end through our consistent proclamation of God’s love for the entirety of creation.  We pray to the Lord.
11. That those in need of medical care due to war, disasters, or disease may obtain needed medical care, and be encouraged on a hopeful path to recovery by family and friends.  We pray to the Lord. 
12. That those who gave their lives in serving the weak and in seeking peace in Gaza and Israel during the fifteen-month war between Israel and Hamas will be blessed as the peacemakers and be called children of God in heaven for all eternity.  We pray to the Lord.

God our Father, we offer these petitions with faith and hope, knowing that you answer all our needs through your great mercy.  We make these prayers through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.