18 January 2026 - prayers of the faithful for the 2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time CYCLE A

Introduction: As we concluded the Christmas season, we now return to Ordinary Time. We heard from the John the Baptist during the holy season of Advent. We hear from John again in today’s Gospel as he gives testimony to Jesus as the Lamb of God. When we receive the Eucharist at Mass, we also testify to Jesus as being the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. May these words resonate with us today and everyday on our journey of faith. 

Penitential rite - priest - 

Lord Jesus - you are the holy servant of God. 

Christ Jesus - you give us new life. 

Lord Jesus - you are the light of the nations. 

Prayers of the faithful: 

Priest: Let us call to mind our needs, the needs of the Church, and the needs of the world in our prayers today as we open ourselves to do the will of our heavenly Father: 

1. That we in the Church be a light to the nations and a sign of God’s love and mercy in the world. We pray to the Lord. 

2. That our evangelization efforts and proclamation of God’s kingdom reach the ends of the earth. We pray to the Lord. 

3. That Christians of all denominations work together for Christian unity. We pray to the Lord.  

4. That we may work to promote the dignity of every human life as we commemorate the day of prayer for the legal protection of unborn children this upcoming Thursday. We pray to the Lord. 

5. As we commemorate the Martin Luther King Jr holiday this week, may we work together to advance the values he stood for in our society. We pray to the Lord. 

6. May we who are gathered for Mass today respond willingly and joyfully to God’s call in our lives. We pray to the Lord. 

7. For our first responders, for the men and women in the military, for our veterans, and for our medical professionals. We pray to the Lord. 

8. For the prayers we hold in the silence of our hearts. For those who have asked for our prayers. We pray to the Lord. 

Priest: Glorious God, as your son gave witness to your justice and mercy, teach us to give witness as well. We make our prayer through your son Jesus Christ, our Lord forever and ever. AMEN.