Prayer Service

Fourth Sunday of Advent, December 21, 2025

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Fourth Sunday of Advent, December 21, 2025

We enter the last days of this Advent season and ask the Father for the grace to recognize the presence of his Son in our lives.     

  1. That in these times marked by division, the Church will be a strong force calling for unity among people to resist the evils of war, prejudice, and violence as we wait in joyful hope for the coming of the Lord.  We pray to the Lord.
  2. That the senseless deaths on the beach in Australia, on a college campus in our country, and in areas torn apart by violence, greed, and poverty will ignite a determination through all elements of society to find peaceful ways to settle differences.  We pray to the Lord. 
  3. That we will be attentive to the signs God sends us that express his will for our lives.  We pray to the Lord.
  4. That St. Joseph will be model of righteousness in our lives so that we may not judge people or expose them to shame but will look for the wisdom of the Holy Spirit to guide our decisions.  We pray to the Lord.
  5. That during moments when we find the challenges of life to be burdensome and in moments of joy and celebration. we will remember that at all times, “God is with us.”  We pray to the Lord.
  6. That those anticipating the birth of a child will “cherish the joy of bringing a new life into the world” recognizing that “human life is a gift that must always be welcomed with respect, care, and gratitude.”[1]  We pray to the Lord.
  7. That this Advent will conclude for each of us as a season of “preparation, not just for the joyful celebration of Jesus’ birth, but for the transformation of our hearts and the world around us.”[2] We pray to the Lord.
  8. That universities may be “centers of creativity and the dissemination of knowledge for the good of humanity in which the combined effort of intellect and faith allows people to reach the full measure of their humanity.”[3] We pray to the Lord.
  9. That we will counter the attacks on Jews in Australia and all ethnic violence by promoting a civilized society through the ability for differences to be debated openly and respectfully and bear witness to our reverence for the God-given dignity of all men and women.[4]  We pray to the Lord.
  10. That those who are ill will know they are the beloved of God, called to be holy, and may they receive grace and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.  We pray to the Lord.
  11. That those who have died during this Advent season, and those who mourn the loss of loved ones, will find joy in the renewal of life embodied in the infant Jesus and in sure knowledge that Jesus is with them for all eternity.  We pray to the Lord. 

God, our Father, as we prepare to commemorate the birth of your Son, we offer our thanks and ask that we may be his people so that he may save us from our sins.  We make these prayers through Christ our Lord. Amen.

[1] From Pope Leo’s remarks to faculty and students from the Pontifical John Paul II Theological Institute for Studies on Marriage and Family, October 24, 2025.

[2] From “Lord’s Day Reflection…” by Fr. Luke Gregory, OFM, November 29, 2025.

[3] Quote from Pope Leo in a meeting with members of the Organization of Catholic Universities of Latin American and the Caribbean. October 31, 2025.

[4] From comments of Pope Leo to delegation of the European Conservatives and Reformists Group of the European Parliament, December 10, 2025.

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