21 January 2023 - Third Sunday in Ordinary time - Prayers of the Faithful

Introduction: On the sea of Galilee, the disciples Andrew and Simon were fishing when Jesus came by and called them to be fishers of men.  This encounter with Jesus changed their lives forever. Jesus calls us to repentance, to conversion, and to discipleship as we follow him.  May we all take this opportunity at mass today to listen closely to Jesus and to discern whether we can hear him calling us to something new. 

Lord Jesus, you are the eternal son of the Father. 

Christ Jesus, you show us the way to repentance. 

Lord Jesus, you bring us new life. 

Priest: We are called to rely on the Lord’s ever-present compassion and love. Let us present our prayers to our heavenly Father today, confident that we will be heard: 

1. That we in the Church may place our trust in Jesus’ constant presence with us, that we may help bring the reign of God to realization in the world in the way we love God and love our neighbor, we pray to the Lord. 

2. That we as a nation may repent from any wrong we have done.  May we turn to God who is the source of life and goodness in what we do as a country.  We pray to the Lord. 

3. For all who suffer in different ways in life.  For those who lack sufficient food, housing, or health care.  For those who lack clean drinking water. That we work towards achieving these basic needs for all.  We pray to the Lord. 

4. For members of religious orders who follow Jesus in their religious vocation, that the Lord may continue to bless them in their way of life and in their service to God’s Church and God’s people, we pray to the Lord. 

5. For our parish community, that we may be willing to look into our hearts and repent, returning to the Lord in the ways we have strayed.  We pray to the Lord. 

6. For the healing of the sickness and brokenness that exist in our lives, and for the repose of the souls of the faithful departed, we pray to the Lord.

7. For the prayers we hold in the silence of our hearts, for our prayers, both spoken and unspoken, we pray to the Lord. 

Priest: Merciful God, we trust in your generosity and acknowledge our need to seek your forgiveness.  We ask that your listen to our prayers and grant them in the name of your son Jesus Christ, our Lord forever and ever. Amen.