Weekly Prayers of the Faithful

19th Sunday in Ordinary Time August 10, 2025

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19th Sunday in Ordinary Time August 10, 2025

We offer our prayers in faith, the realization of what is hoped for and the evidence of things not seen. 

  1. That the Catholic Church in Africa and on all continents will be a “voice of conscience [with] a vital role to play in inspiring ethical leadership, promoting dignity, and reinforcing the moral compass of [all] nations.”[1]  We pray to the Lord.
  2. That in commemorating and reflecting on the nuclear bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki eighty years ago, leaders of all nations will resolve never again to use such weapons but instead to seek and end to war through compassion, respect, and mercy.  We pray to the Lord. 
  3. Recognizing that “silence in the face of suffering is a betrayal of conscience,… may this moment be a summons to conscience; and may the mercy of God guide every hand that seeks to mend what has been torn.”[2]  We pray to the Lord.
  4. That the Vatican call for “an immediate ceasefire [in Gaza], the release of all Israeli hostages, the restitution of the bodies of the deceased, the protection of all Palestinian civilians in accordance with international humanitarian law, and unhindered access to humanitarian assistance”[3] will be supported and promoted by the international community.  We pray to the Lord. 
  5. That we may have the trust of Abraham who obeyed when he was called to go out to a place not knowing where he was going, and respond in faith to God’s call to each of us as we seek the heavenly homeland.  We pray to the Lord.
  6. That we will prepare for the coming of the master through love of God and love of neighbor in times of joy, of challenge, and of sadness.  We pray to the Lord. 
  7. “In a world fractured by wars, poverty, forced displacements, and ecological crises, may we turn our gaze to Christ who is the living source of healing and renewal, who reconciles divided hearts, and who offers hope where despair threatens.”[4] We pray to the Lord.
  8. That the young people returning to their home countries following the Jubilee of Young People in Rome will “continue to walk joyfully in the footsteps of the Savior and spread [their] enthusiasm and the witness of [their] faith to everyone [they] meet.”[5]   We pray to the Lord.
  9. That the deaths of 18,000 children in Gaza, the loss of loved ones of children who have survived, and the fact these survivors are hungry, scared, and traumatized will bring all parties directly and indirectly engaged in the conflict to flood the area with food and water, initiate a ceasefire, and find a political way forward.  We pray to the Lord.

Almighty Father, knowing that we are entrusted with much, we offer our prayers asking for your grace so that we might meet the demands of our faith.   We make these prayers through Christ our Lord. Amen.

[1] Quote from the Prime Minister of Rwanda, Justin Nsengiyumva, in his address to the bishops assembled at the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (August 1, 2025)

[2] Quote from statement of His Beatitude Theophilos III, The Patriarch of Jerusalem (July 22, 2025)

[3] Quote from Archbishop Gabriele Cassia, Apostolic Nuncio and Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the United Nations at UN Conference held July 28 — 30, 2025.

[4] Quote from the address of Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo Besungu, Archbishop of Kinshasa, opening the SECAM conference (August 1, 2025)

[5] Quote from Pope Leo in his homily at the closing Mass of the Jubilee of Young People, August 3, 2025. 

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