PRAYERS OF THE FAITHFUL – 18th Sunday of Year C

Prayer for Wisdom in Leadership: May our Church leaders, like Pope Leo XIV, bishops, priests, and deacons, receive wisdom from the Lord and use it to guide the faithful, as they contemplate the fleeting nature of worldly pursuits. We pray to the Lord...

Prayer for Spiritual Focus: We pray that our Church leaders remain focused on eternal truths and heavenly treasures, leading the faithful in pursuing a deeper relationship with Christ, as they reflect on Ecclesiastes' reminder of life's impermanence. We pray to the Lord...

Prayer for Humility in Leadership: May our Church leaders, like Pope Leo XIV, bishops, priests, and deacons, humbly acknowledge the ultimate futility of worldly success and inspire the faithful to seek meaning in God's divine plan. We pray to the Lord...

SECOND READING

Prayer for Unity in Christ: We ask that our Church leaders guide the faithful to seek unity in Christ, setting aside earthly divisions and embracing the new life found in Him, as they draw inspiration from St. Paul's letter to the Colossians. We pray to the Lord...

Prayer for Compassionate Leadership: May Pope Leo XIV, bishops, priests, and deacons emulate Christ's compassion, cultivating kindness and humility in their ministry, as they reflect on St. Paul's exhortations in Colossians. We pray to the Lord...

Prayer for Service in the Church: We pray that our Church leaders follow St. Paul's call to serve with love, inspiring the faithful to build a community rooted in faith, hope, and charity. We pray to the Lord...

GOSPEL

Prayer for Responsible Stewardship: May our Church leaders guide us in the responsible stewardship of resources, avoiding greed and excess, as they contemplate Jesus' parable of the rich man and his barns. We pray to the Lord...

Prayer for Trust in God's Provision: We ask that Pope Leo XIV, bishops, priests, and deacons lead the faithful in trusting God's providence, like the birds in Jesus' teaching, confident that He provides for all our needs. We pray to the Lord...

Prayer for Eternal Perspective: May our Church leaders maintain an eternal perspective, reminding the faithful that true treasure awaits in heaven, as they reflect on Jesus' teachings in Luke's Gospel. We pray to the Lord...

CHURCH WORLD NEEDS COMMUNITY

Governing Authorities and the Salvation of the World

For national leaders whose addiction to power and empire is the cause of immense misery to countless people, that by the grace of God they will be converted to the way of peace and justice. (Pause) Let us pray to the Lord.

SOURCE: Australian Catholics

For wisdom and inspiration for government and legislative leaders: that God will give them insight into the true issues and the needed steps for change to promote the welfare of everyone

For peace: that God will open new opportunities for dialogue between national leaders, increase their concern for the common good, and free them from the constraints of their egos

SOURCE: Sunday Website

The World

18th Sunday of Year C

🙏 WORLDPEACE

SELICA INTERNATIONAL (2:52 - Hiroshima Day is remembered as one of the deadliest days in recent history. The loss of life and infrastructure of this day is an important part of world history. It teaches us to be anti-war, Wars don’t just drain a country of its wealth and resources, they also snatch human life and destabilize the country. Hiroshima Day is a good day to remember the disastrous effects of wars and urge our governments to take an anti-war stance.

For leaders of nations and for peace in the world: As we solemnly observe Hiroshima Day (Wednesday, August 6) may the stark lesson of the rich man's folly—that life is more than possessions—resonate deeply, calling all to reject the accumulation of destructive power and instead build up a harvest of peace, justice, and mutual understanding,

“There was a rich man
whose land produced a bountiful harvest.
He asked himself, ‘What shall I do,
for I do not have space to store my harvest?’
And he said, ‘This is what I shall do:
I shall tear down my barns and build larger ones...
But God said to him,
‘You fool, this night your life will be demanded of you;

GOSPEL

WORLD PEACE

FIRST READING

Prayer for Humility Among Nations: May the leaders of the Middle East, Eastern Europe, Asia, and all nations involved in conflict seek humility and understanding, acknowledging the fleeting nature of worldly power and striving for lasting peace. We pray to the Lord...

Prayer for Reflection and Wisdom: We pray that the nations engaged in disputes over trade and resources pause to reflect on their actions, gaining wisdom from Ecclesiastes to consider the true value of earthly wealth. We pray to the Lord...

SECOND READING

Prayer for Unity Among Nations: May the nations of the Middle East, Eastern Europe, Asia, and those affected by trade disputes seek unity in their shared humanity, setting aside earthly divisions to pursue peaceful resolutions. We pray to the Lord...

Prayer for Compassionate Leadership: We ask that world leaders embrace the virtues of compassion and kindness as they navigate conflicts, guided by St. Paul's exhortations in Colossians to reflect Christ's love. We pray to the Lord...

GOSPEL

Prayer for Wise Stewardship of Resources: May the nations engaged in conflicts and trade disputes practice responsible stewardship, recognizing that earthly possessions are not the true measure of a nation's worth, as they contemplate Jesus' parable of the rich man. We pray to the Lord...

Prayer for Trust in God's Provision: We pray that leaders in the Middle East, Eastern Europe, Asia, and all nations involved in disputes trust in God's provision, recalling Jesus' teaching that God cares for all of His creation. We pray to the Lord...

PRO LIFE PRAYERS

CHURCH WORLD NEEDS COMMUNITY

For Those Facing Adversities

For freedom from anxiety: that we may never be seduced by the illusions of wealth, fame, power, or control, nor allow these to dominate our lives

For an end to discrimination: that God will help us recognize the dignity of each person and never judge them on appearance, status in life, nor cultural origin

For spiritual directors and therapists: that God will guide them in helping others to recognize their gifts, their vocation, and the deepest truth that God has planted in their hearts

For all who bear the burden of poverty: that God will sustain them each day, open new opportunities for them to use their gifts, and open our hearts to be generous in their time of need

SOURCE: Sunday Website

Special Needs

18th Sunday of Year C

🙏 NEEDSPRO-LIFEYEAR OF HOPE

FOCUS CATHOLIC (3:20) - Sins of lust stem from a lack of trust in God. Will you grow in trust for God? A Mount Saint Mary’s Seminary graduate, Father Dan Leary was ordained a priest in the Archdiocese of Washington D.C. in 1997.

For those who struggle with immorality, impurity, and evil desires: That they may find strength in Christ to put to death the earthly parts of themselves, casting off the old self and embracing the new life offered through God's grace...

Put to death, then,
the parts of you that are earthly:
immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire,
and the greed that is idolatry.
Stop lying to one another,
since you have taken off the old self with its practices
and have put on the new self,
which is being renewed, for knowledge,
in the image of its creator.

SECOND READING

RESPECT FOR LIFE

FIRST READING

Prayer for Recognizing Human Dignity: May we acknowledge the inherent value of every human life, remembering Ecclesiastes' wisdom that our existence is fleeting yet sacred, and seek to build a culture that cherishes each individual. We pray to the Lord...

Prayer for Rejecting the Culture of Death: Help us to resist the temptation to pursue temporal power or wealth at the expense of human life, recalling Ecclesiastes' insights on the futility of earthly pursuits, and choose life-affirming actions in our society. We pray to the Lord...

SECOND READING

Prayer for Cultivating a Culture of Life: Guide us in fostering a culture of life and love, united in Christ, as we strive to live out St. Paul's teachings on compassion, humility, and mercy in Colossians. We pray to the Lord...

Prayer for Upholding Human Dignity: May we seek to honor the dignity of every person, echoing St. Paul's call to "put on the new self," rejecting all forms of exploitation and fostering respect for life in all stages and circumstances. We pray to the Lord...

GOSPEL

Prayer for Prioritizing Life over Material Wealth: Inspire us to treasure life more than worldly possessions, heeding Jesus' reminder in the parable of the rich man that life is worth more than any earthly treasure. We pray to the Lord...

Prayer for Trusting in God's Providence for Life's Needs: Grant us trust in your divine providence for our needs, dear Lord, recalling Jesus' assurance that God provides for the birds of the air and will certainly care for us, His children. We pray to the Lord...

PRAYERS FOR YEAR OF HOPE

YEAR OF HOPE

FIRST READING

Healing Wounds of Sorrow: May our Church's Year of Hope bring comfort to those afflicted by sorrow and despair, as we recall Ecclesiastes' wisdom on life's impermanence and seek solace in God's promise of eternal joy. We pray to the Lord...

Renewing Hope Amid Pain: In this Year of Hope, may those burdened by pain find renewed trust in God's providence, remembering Ecclesiastes' teachings on the limitations of worldly pursuits and focusing on the treasures of heaven. We pray to the Lord...

SECOND READING

Unity in Compassion: As we celebrate the Year of Hope, may our faith communities unite in expressing Christ-like compassion, healing societal wounds through empathy and understanding, guided by St. Paul's call for love in Colossians. We pray to the Lord...

Cultivating Hope Through Service: During this Year of Hope, may we be inspired by St. Paul's words in Colossians to serve one another humbly, spreading hope and promoting healing through our actions. We pray to the Lord...

GOSPEL

Prioritizing Hope Over Material Wealth: Throughout the Church's Year of Hope, let us treasure the gift of hope over earthly riches, recalling Jesus' parable of the rich man and recognizing that hope in God's kingdom is our true treasure. We pray to the Lord...

Trust in God's Provision of Hope: As we observe the Year of Hope, may we trust in God's abundant provision of hope, remembering Jesus' assurance that our heavenly Father provides for all His creation, including those facing hopelessness. We pray to the Lord...

PRAYERS FOR FAMILIES

CHURCH WORLD NEEDS COMMUNITY

The Local Community

We pray for [indigenous peoples], that United Nations Day of Indigenous Peoples (9 August), will encourage them to celebrate their culture with pride. (Pause) Let us pray to the Lord.

SOURCE: Australian Catholics

For all families that are divided by inheritance and financial issues: that God will help them recognize the value and dignity of each other and guide them to a resolution of their conflicts

For conversion of our hearts: that we may lay aside lying, greed, and selfishness, and live as children of God

For a spirit of gratitude: that we may appreciate all the gifts that God has given us and become rich through words of faith, attitudes of hope, and deeds of love

For a greater sense of the common good: that we may recognize that God’s gifts are for the benefit of the whole human family and never allow them to become idols that control us

For all who are ill: that God’s healing spirit will bring them through their illness and restore them to wholeness

SOURCE: Sunday Website

Local Community

18th Sunday of Year C

🙏 COMMUNITYFAMILIESSACRAMENTS

DIOCESE OF HARRISBURG (4:53) - In this episode, Sister Geralyn, SCC, discusses how we build up the Kingdom of God. By being excellent in our work and doing everything out of love, we can strap on our tool belts and get to work.

For our parish community of [Parish Name], and for all who tirelessly labor in our local area: That amidst the toil and anxiety of daily life, we may discern true profit not in fleeting gains, but in building up God's Kingdom through acts of charity and service, so that our efforts are not in vain...

Vanity of vanities, says Qoheleth,
vanity of vanities! All things are vanity!...
For what profit comes to man
from all the toil and anxiety of heart
with which he has labored under the sun?
All his days sorrow and grief are his occupation;
even at night his mind is not at rest.

FIRST READING

FAMILIES

FIRST READING

Nurturing Hope in Families: We pray for families to foster hope in their homes, drawing wisdom from Ecclesiastes on the fleeting nature of earthly accomplishments and focusing on cultivating love and joy within their family relationships. We pray to the Lord...

Supporting Children's Growth: May we guide children in understanding the true value of life, echoing Ecclesiastes' insights on the limitations of material wealth and helping them embrace their inherent worth and purpose. We pray to the Lord...

SECOND READING

Fostering Compassion in Families: During this Year of Hope, let families embrace St. Paul's call to clothe themselves in compassion, kindness, and patience, creating nurturing environments where hope thrives. We pray to the Lord...

Teaching Children the Ways of Hope: We pray that parents and caregivers teach their children to embody the virtues outlined in Colossians—compassion, humility, and love—so they may be beacons of hope for others. We pray to the Lord...

GOSPEL

Emphasizing Life's True Treasure: Help families to recognize the true treasure of life, as Jesus teaches in his parable, and nurture hope by valuing experiences, relationships, and spiritual growth over material wealth. We pray to the Lord...

Encouraging Generosity in Children: We pray that children learn the importance of generosity from Jesus' parable of the rich man, understanding that sharing with others fosters hope and counters the accumulation of earthly possessions. We pray to the Lord...

SACRAMENTS

SACRAMENTS

FIRST READING

Prayer for Sacramental Renewal: May the wisdom of Ecclesiastes deepen our appreciation for the Sacrament of Reconciliation, acknowledging life's imperfections and seeking God's grace to heal our souls and strengthen our communities. We pray to the Lord...

Prayer for Unity Through Eucharist: As we reflect on Ecclesiastes' teachings, let us cherish the Sacrament of the Eucharist, drawing hope from Christ's presence and fostering unity among our faith communities. We pray to the Lord...

SECOND READING

Prayer for Compassion in Confirmation: Guided by St. Paul's call for compassion in Colossians, let us seek the Holy Spirit's gifts through the Sacrament of Confirmation, strengthening our commitment to serve one another in love. We pray to the Lord...

Prayer for Love in Marriage: May the virtue of love emphasized in Colossians inspire married couples to nurture hope within their families, drawing strength from the Sacrament of Matrimony and embracing their roles as domestic churches. We pray to the Lord...

GOSPEL