26 January 2025 - 3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time - prayers of the faithful - prison ministry

Introduction: This weekend, we celebrate the Sunday of the Word of God. God’s word is celebrated and accomplished in the readings we hear at Mass today from the prophet Ezra reading publicly from the Torah after the Israelites return from exile and from Jesus reading from Isaiah from the scroll at the synagogue. May all of us grow closer to God’s word each day. 

Priest: 

Lord Jesus - you bring glad tidings to the poor - Lord have mercy. 

Christ Jesus - you proclaim liberty to set the captives free - Christ have mercy. 

Lord Jesus - you proclaim freedom to the oppressed - Lord have mercy. 

Prayers of the faithful:

Priest: Each one of us is a necessary part of Christ’s body. As vital parts of his body, we now express our needs in confidence that our voices will be heard in our prayers today:

1. For our Church leaders and governmental leaders, that they reach out and bring hope to the poor, the oppressed, and the imprisoned. We pray to the Lord. 

2. For consecrated members of religious orders, especially for those who work with the poor, the oppressed, the prisoner, and the elderly, that their ministry may be fruitful signs of what we are all called to do as disciples of Christ. We pray to the Lord. 

3. That all of our students and teachers grow together in knowledge, moral character and faith. We pray for a good school year for all of our children. We pray to the Lord. 

4. We pray for victims of the Holocaust in World War II and for all who are prosecuted for their faith in the world today. We pray for religious unity and solidarity. We pray to the Lord. 

5. In this Jubilee Year of hope, may we be inspired to spread that hope to those in desperate circumstances. We pray to the Lord. 

6. For the sick and the shut-in. For all who need healing in body, mind, or spirit. We pray to the Lord. 

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

Priest: Heavenly Father, may we never forget that your son always remains with us and that he is the fulfillment of the prophecy of the prophet Isaiah. We ask that you hear the prayers that we make in the spirit of the Lord, Jesus Christ, our Savior forever and ever. AMEN.