30th Sunday in Ordinary Time, October 26, 2025
We offer our prayers to the Lord recognizing our own sinfulness but asking that these prayers may pierce the clouds and not rest until they reach their goal.
- That the “heart of the mission of the Church” will be clearly proclaimed as “not to administer power over others, but to communicate the joy of those who are loved precisely when they did not deserve it.”[1] We pray to the Lord.
- That a cessation of bombing and fighting in Gaza will initiate international efforts to restore homes, jobs, and dignity to the innocent people who have suffered and lost so much from the war imposed upon them. We pray to the Lord.
- That “the perverse spiral of hatred and violence [in Gaza], which risks dragging [so many] into an abyss with no return, [will] come to an end” so that peace will be possible and the inhabitants may rebuild their lives.[2] We pray to the Lord.
- That “courage and sacrifice [will] be the hallmark of our actions at this moment of historic and deliberate suffering being visited upon people living truly good lives that are a credit to our nation.”[3] We pray to the Lord.
- That true equality among people will grant to all individuals “the possibility to fulfill their aspirations and see the rights inherent to their dignity guaranteed by a system of shared values.”[4] We pray to the Lord.
- That we might be inspired each day to express to the fullest the exercise of justice in the service of the people, with eyes fixed on God, so as fully to express justice, right, and the dignity of persons.[5] We pray to the Lord.
- “That God will constantly raise [the] eyes [of those in the legal profession] to wisdom, compassion and judgment; that {they] may be consoled when feeling torn or adrift, that in the deepest moments of achievement and satisfaction [they] might understand that God is at work in [them]; and that the nobility of [their] calling will sustain [them] through every adversity.”[6] We pray to the Lord.
- That we may set ourselves free of our self-centeredness and open our ears to the cry of the poor so that we will be instruments of renewal both for the Church and for society.[7] We pray to the Lord.
- That in observance of this Disarmament Week, we may celebrate and encourage “the efforts and involvement of the range of [individuals] contributing to a safer, more peaceful common future through [promotion of] disarmament, arms control and non-proliferation [of weapons].”[8] We pray to the Lord.
- That we may not be self-righteous proclaiming our own goodness, but may have the humility of the tax collector who cried out, “O God, be merciful to me a sinner.” We pray to the Lord.
- That those who are ill will know that their human dignity is not diminished by disease but will know that the Lord stands by them to give them strength. We pray to the Lord.
- That first responders, aid workers, and agents of peace who have died in their efforts will be exalted in heaven for their humble service to others. We pray to the Lord.
God, our Father, may these petitions that we offer not withdraw until you respond, judge justly, and affirm what is right. We make these prayers through Christ our Lord. Amen.
[1] Quote from comments of Pope Leo at his General Audience, October 1, 2025.
[2] Quote from Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican Secretary of State, October 6, 2025.
[3] Quote from homily of Cardinal Robert McElroy at the Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle, September 28, 2025.
[4] Quote from address of Pope Leo at Jubilee of Justice, September 20, 2025.
[5] Based on address of Pope Leo at Jubilee of Justice, September 20, 2025, in quoting the challenge posed by St. Augustine.
[6] Quote from Cardinal Robert McElroy at Red Mass homily, October 5, 2025.
[7] Based on paragraph 7 of the Apostolic Exhortation, Dilexi Te, of the Holy Father Leo XIV to All Christians on Love for the Poor, October 9, 2025.
[8] Quote from United Nations statement on Disarmament Week, October 24—30, 2025.
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