Weekly Prayers of the Faithful

25th Sunday in Ordinary Time, September 21, 2025

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25th Sunday in Ordinary Time, September 21, 2025

We offer these prayers to the Father placing our trust in him rather than in ourselves or in the wealth that this world offers.      

  1. That bishops will “welcome those who knock on the doors of the Church [and be] caring, attentive shepherds who know how to share the journey, the questions, the anxieties, and the hopes of the people.”[1]  We pray to the Lord.
  2. That all governments will honor the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights which declares that “Every human being has the inherent right to life [that] shall be protected by law; [and] no one shall be arbitrarily deprived of his [or her] life.”[2]  We pray to the Lord.
  3. That this United Nations International Day of Peace will not be a day of lip service but will unite all nations in concerted and genuine effort to tirelessly work for peace in lands ravaged by war and destruction.  We pray to the Lord.
  4. That we may filter out the noise and division of the world to be able to hear God’s loving voice which alone can bring peace.[3]  We pray to the Lord. 
  5. That the border crisis may no longer be simply a political or legal debate but as a test of moral responsibility with human dignity placed at the center of every policy.[4]  We pray to the Lord.
  6. That we may fully recognize God’s presence in all creation so that we may know ourselves to be responsible for our common home where we are invited to care for, respect, and protect life in all its forms and possibilities.[5]  We pray to the Lord. 
  7. That the children of Gaza, enduring repeated displacement who cry out, “Where are we going next?” will not lose hope and will soon hear the answer that they are going home to loved ones, to friends, to teachers, and food, and supplies as their hope for peace is realized.[6]  We pray to the Lord.
  8. That our thoughts and actions will not put us among those who trample upon the needy and destroy the poor of the land, but rather may God know us to be those who serve the impoverished and marginalized.  We pray to the Lord. 
  9. That in every place — in happiness and in times of anguish — supplications, prayers, petitions and thanksgiving will be offered that exclude no one as holy hands are lifted up without anger or argument.  We pray to the Lord.
  10. That those who are ill in mind or body will be treated with dignity and care that reflects understanding of the great gift of life to creation.  We pray to the Lord.
  11. That those who have died will be raised from the troubles of this world to be seated with God who is enthroned on high for all ages.  We pray to the Lord. 

O God, may we know your answer to our prayers and see to serve you above all things.  We make these prayers through Christ our Lord. Amen.

[1] Quote from Pope Leo in address to newly ordained bishops, September 11, 2025.

[2] International Covenant on Civil and Political RIghts, Article 6, Item 1. Adopted by the United Nations General Assembly, December 16, 1966. 

[3] Based on message of Pope Leo to the Augustinian community in Philadelphia on the feast of St. Augustine, August 28, 2025.

[4] Based on statements of US and Mexican bishops following their meeting in Piedras Negras, September 11, 2025.

[5] From Pope Leo’s prayer in the announcement of his prayer intention for September, 2025. 

[6] Based on reflection of Franciscan Friar Ibrahim Faltas of the Custody of the Holy Land on the suffering of children in Gaza, September 10, 2025.

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