Prayers of
the Faithful
For the Church: that we may be open to God’s generous love and be filled with gratitude for all the ways God has provided for us
For a spirit of generosity: that we may be free to share the blessings, the wisdom, and the hope God has given us with all who hunger and thirst for a fuller life
SOURCE: Sunday Website
RELATED
THE CHURCH
17th Sunday of Year B
We pray for faithful believers taking part in Sunday Eucharist, that they will take delight in belonging to a global family of grace, prayer and peace. May they have a deep awareness of the hunger of their hearts
When they had had their fill,
Jesus said to his disciples,
“Gather the fragments left over,
so that nothing will be wasted.”
So they collected them,
and filled twelve wicker baskets with fragments
from the five barley loaves
that had been more than they could eat.
GOSPEL
SAMPLE PETITIONS
FIRST READING
For the priests serving in Catholic parishes around the world: may they draw inspiration from the prophet Elisha, who fed the multitude with the blessing of God, and be strengthened in their mission to nourish their communities both spiritually and physically, showing compassion to all in need. Let us pray to the Lord.
SECOND READING
For our devoted priests: may they embody the message of unity and love expressed in the letter to the Ephesians, tirelessly working to foster a spirit of togetherness within their parishes, and humbly guiding their congregations to share their blessings with the less fortunate, just as the miracle of the five loaves and two fish reminded us of God’s providence. Let us pray to the Lord.
GOSPEL
For our priests, who break the bread of life for us at the altar: may the Gospel of John’s account of Jesus feeding the five thousand inspire them to nourish their flocks with both the spiritual food of the Eucharist and a deep commitment to serving the poor and marginalized in our communities, drawing on the strength and grace bestowed upon them by the Holy Spirit. Let us pray to the Lord.
PRIESTS
In the News
Prayers of the Faithful
July 28, 2024
Prayers of
the Faithful
For all who bring food to our table each day: that God will bless abundantly those who farm, transport, stock the shelves, and cook the food we eat and provide for them and their families
For all who hunger for freedom: that God will free those imprisoned unjustly, caught in human trafficking, or who live under oppression, heal their pain, and give them hope
SOURCE: Sunday Website
RELATED
THE WORLD
17th Sunday of Year B
For the American political process, that our leaders ensure a smooth and peaceful transition of power. May party leaders identify and nominate qualified candidates who embody the values and principles that our nation holds dear.
I, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you
to live in a manner worthy
of the call you have received…
striving to preserve the unity of the spirit
through the bond of peace:
SECOND READING
SAMPLE PETITIONS
FIRST READING
For the global community: may we, like the prophet Elisha, recognize the abundance that God has provided and share our resources equitably, working together to preserve the Earth’s bounty for future generations by promoting sustainable agriculture and responsible stewardship of the environment, as Pope Francis urged in Laudate Si’. Let us pray to the Lord.
SECOND READING
For world leaders and policymakers: may the message of unity and shared responsibility found in the letter to the Ephesians guide their efforts to address environmental challenges, fostering collaboration among nations to protect our common home, and ensuring that the needs of the most vulnerable are prioritized, as we remember the miracle of the loaves and fishes. Let us pray to the Lord.
GOSPEL
For our parish community: may the Gospel of John’s account of Jesus feeding the multitude inspire us to work together in caring for God’s creation, reducing waste, and supporting local initiatives that promote environmental sustainability, and may our priests lead us in the spirit of Laudate Si’ to live in harmony with nature. Let us pray to the Lord.
CARE FOR THE ENVIRONMENT
In the News
SAMPLE PETITIONS
FIRST READING
For our communities: may we, like the prophet Elisha, share our blessings with those in need, addressing the root causes of poverty and injustice, and collaborating with others to build a more just and peaceful society, recognizing that, as in the miracle of the loaves and fishes, there is enough for all when we work together. Let us pray to the Lord.
SECOND READING
For world leaders and policymakers: may the message of unity and love expressed in the letter to the Ephesians guide their efforts to promote peace and justice, fostering understanding and cooperation among nations, and working tirelessly to resolve conflicts through dialogue and negotiation, in the spirit of the miracle of the loaves and fishes. Let us pray to the Lord.
GOSPEL
For our parish community: may the example of Jesus feeding the five thousand inspire us to advocate for justice and peace in our world, promoting human rights, and speaking out against injustice and violence, guided by the wisdom of our priests and the teachings of the Gospel. Let us pray to the Lord.
JUSTICE & PEACE
In the News
Prayers of the Faithful
July 28, 2024
Prayers of
the Faithful
For all who endure hunger each day, particularly orphans, refugees, and the marginalized: that God will open avenues for food to reach them and help our hearts to be more sensitive to their needs and more aware of our abundance
For the grace to bear with one another: that God will give us patience and gentleness to bear with one another through our differences and limits so that we can help one another follow God’s call
For the courage to serve others: that we may be open to opportunities to meet the needs of others and to generously respond to them even if our gifts or time seem too limited
SOURCE: Sunday Website
SPECIAL NEEDS
17th Sunday of Year B
AUSTRALIA | CANADA | INDIA | PHILIPPINES | MORE
We pray for all athletes that will be participaing in the Paris Olympics, a powerful symbol of universal friendship and shared humanity in these fractured times. May they be free from injury and perform to the best of their ability.
The bond of peace:
one body and one Spirit…
one God and Father of all,
who is over all and through all and in all.
SECOND READING
SAMPLE PETITIONS
FIRST READING
For our global community: may the scriptural accounts of God’s miraculous provision of food inspire us to recognize and respect His dominion over life, working together to build a world where every human being is valued and protected, from conception to natural death, and where our shared resources are used to support and nurture life in all its stages. Let us pray to the Lord.
SECOND READING
For our Church and its faithful: may we continue to be a steadfast witness to the sanctity of life, guided by the scriptures’ message of God’s dominion and human solidarity, promoting a consistent ethic of life, and advocating for policies that uphold the dignity of every human being, in unity with our priests and bishops. Let us pray to the Lord.
GOSPEL
For our parish and community leaders: may they, like the boy who offered his loaves and fishes, encourage and support acts of human solidarity that protect and promote the sanctity of life, fostering a culture of care and compassion, and affirming the intrinsic value of each individual, in accordance with God’s plan for humanity. Let us pray to the Lord.
PRO-LIFE
In the News
SAMPLE PETITIONS
FIRST READING
For those struggling with addiction: may they find hope and strength in the story of Elisha feeding the multitude, recognizing that God’s abundant love and mercy can transform even the most meager offerings into a source of life and healing, and may they find support and guidance on their journey towards recovery. Let us pray to the Lord.
SECOND READING
For families affected by addiction: may they draw inspiration from the unity and love expressed in the letter to the Ephesians, finding strength and comfort in their shared bonds, and may they be guided by the Holy Spirit to support and encourage their loved ones on the path to recovery. Let us pray to the Lord.
GOSPEL
For our priests and church ministries: may they continue to provide spiritual guidance and support to those struggling with addiction, offering the nourishment of the Word and the sacraments, and may their compassionate presence remind us of Jesus’ feeding the multitude, as we work together to build a community rooted in healing and hope. Let us pray to the Lord.
Prayers of the Faithful
July 28, 2024
Prayers of
the Faithful
For all who are traveling: that God will guide their way and bring them safely to their destination
For the grace to rely upon God’s providence: that we may entrust to God all our needs, large and small, and rely upon God’s abundant loving care for us
SOURCE: Sunday Website
LOCAL
17th Sunday of Year B
As we partake in the blessed sacrament of the Eucharist and express our adoration, may our hearts be moved to embody the spirit of community and compassion that lies at the core of our Catholic faith by nourshing the less fortunate among us
The eyes of all look hopefully to you,
and you give them their food in due season;
you open your hand
and satisfy the desire of every living thing.
RESPONSORIAL PSALM
SAMPLE PETITIONS
FIRST READING
Inspired by Jeremiah 23:1-6, we ask that parents may serve as shepherds of their families, leading with compassion, love, and justice. May they be guided by God’s wisdom in their parenting, fostering strong and loving relationships within their homes. Lord, hear our prayer.
SECOND READING
For our parish ministries serving children and families: may they continue to provide resources, support, and guidance that nourish the spiritual, emotional, and physical well-being of our youth, creating a community that fosters the growth and development of the next generation of faithful disciples. Let us pray to the Lord.
GOSPEL
For children and families in our parish community: may the example of the boy who shared his loaves and fishes inspire our youth to practice generosity and kindness, and may families be strengthened in their bonds of love and unity, as we nurture the values of compassion and solidarity in our homes and communities. Let us pray to the Lord.
CHILDREN & FAMILY
In the News
The resources on this page–including videos and articles–are here to help you develop your own prayer intentions.
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