Prayers of the faithful - 18 May 2025 - 5th Sunday of Easter

Introduction - As we continue our journey through the Easter season, Jesus gives us a new commandment in our Gospel today: to love one another. Let us give thanks for the opportunity to live as the Body of Christ here in our parish community. May God continue to bless us as individuals and as a community of faith and may he continue to grant us his grace that helps us meet our challenges in life.

Priest - Penitential Rite

Lord Jesus, you call us to God’s love: Lord, have mercy.

Christ Jesus, you call us to a life of discipleship: Christ, have mercy.

Lord Jesus, you are the beloved son of the Father: Lord, have mercy.

Priest: God has made us a chosen people, a royal priesthood who has been set apart. We now pray for those in need:

1. For the holy Church, as we seek to follow Christ, that we may show the whole world the way to the Father. We pray to the Lord.

2. We pray that our national and world leaders choose the path of peace over the ways of violence and conflict. We pray for those communities and countries divided by violence and war. We pray to the Lord.

3. For all deacons, whose ministry of service dates back to the early days of the Church, for all transitional and permanent deacons in our diocese. We continue to pray for Hunter Yentzen and Chris Halliwell as they continue their diaconate formation program. We pray to the Lord.

4. For those whose hearts are troubled, who have lost their way and who are in need of guidance and support, that they might find what they need in our community of faith. We pray to the Lord.

5. For the sick and shut-ins of our community. We pray for healing in body, mind, and spirit. We pray to the Lord.

6. For the repose of the souls of the faithful departed. For their entry into eternal life. We pray to the Lord.

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

Priest: God of love and mercy, your son Jesus Christ shows us the way to you. Teach us to follow him more closely. Hear these our prayers that we make in his name, for he is our risen Lord for ever and ever. Amen.