Prayers of the faithful - 17 March 2024 - 5th Sunday of Lent - CMCF women's prison ministry

Introduction: On this final Sunday of Lent before Palm Sunday, we hear of Jesus spending time with his disciples in the days of the Passover feast before his death on the cross. During these last weeks of Lent, Christ continues to call us out of our harmful habits and from all that separates us from God. As the Lord meets us in his holy word and in the Sacrament of Eucharist today, let us open our lives to him in a special way as we continue our journey during Lent. 

Priest - Penitential rite 

Lord Jesus, you continue your journey to the cross, Lord have mercy.  

Christ Jesus, you are the Messiah, the son of God, Christ have mercy. 

Lord Jesus, you are the way that leads us to new life, Lord have mercy. 

Priest: We place our trust in the Lord, that he hears our voices as we call out to him in supplication with our needs, the needs of our neighbor, and the needs of the Church: 

1. For the Church, that we may loosen the things that bind us to sin and death, bringing forgiveness and new life to those in darkness. We pray to the Lord. 

2. That the nations of the world may put down their weapons of destruction. May we all work toward peace and justice in our own corner of the world, even here at CMCF. We pray to the Lord. 

3. For those who suffer with addictions, that they may find the strength and courage to break through those terrible bonds. We pray to the Lord. 

4.We pray that our Catholic community here at CMCF be a place of welcome for all. We pray to the Lord. 

5. That we may reach out in mercy and understanding to those who are bound tightly to sin and hate, we pray to the Lord. 

6. For those who have died. For healing for the sick in body, mind, and spirit. For all the men and women who have been sick here at CMCF.  We pray to the Lord. 

7. For the prayers we hold in the silence of our hearts. We pray to the Lord.

Priest: Merciful God, you give us hope in the midst of despair. You bring us light in the darkness. You give us new life in our death. We make our prayers today through your son Jesus Christ, our Lord forever and ever.  AMEN.