Prayers of the Faithful, General Intercessions, Petitions
Prayers of the Faithful, General Intercessions, Petitions
Prayers of the Faithful, General Intercessions, Petitions
December 28, 2025
December 28, 2025
Holy Family (A)
The Church
We pray for the church. May Christian communities around the world be radiant signs of God’s saving love. (Pause) Let us pray to the Lord.
SOURCE: Australian Catholics
For the Church: that we, like Joseph, may wholeheartedly live our faith traditions and yet remain open to the mystery of God’s unconventional work in our lives and the world around us
SOURCE: Sunday Website
The Church
Feast of the Holy Family (A)
THE CATHOLIC CRUSADE (4:41) – The “Litany of the Holy Family” (prayer text below) is a prayer invoking Jesus, Mary, and Joseph – collectively known as the Holy Family. It highlights key events from their lives while emphasizing their role as a model for Christian families. The Holy Family prayer praises their qualities of faithfulness, perseverance through hardship, and obedience to God’s laws. Ultimately, it seeks their protection and the grace to emulate their virtues.
O God of infinite goodness and kindness, give us the Church the grace to venerate Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, so that, imitating them in this life, we may enjoy with them the life to come. We pray to the Lord…
Let the peace of Christ
control your hearts,
the peace into which you
were also called in one body.
SECOND READING
Infographics on the WORD THIS WEEK website are created using Nano Banana Pro with Gemini 3.0. They may be copied for personal use or for use in any non-profit ministry. Please show your support by promoting the website.
PEOPLE OF GOD
FIRST READING
Pope Leo XIV
We pray for Pope Leo XIV, that as he guides the universal Church, he may exemplify the honor and authority God establishes for fathers. Grant him wisdom to lead with kindness, finding favor in Your sight as he sustains the global family of faith through his steadfast and humble ministry. We pray to the Lord.
Bishops
We pray for our Bishops, that they may serve as spiritual fathers who are never neglected in their old age or seniority. May the Church community support them with understanding, especially when their strength fails, ensuring that their labor of love for the Gospel is never forgotten or set at naught. We pray to the Lord.
Priests and Deacons
We pray for our Priests and Deacons, that they may find the blessing of the Lord upon their ministry. Just as a mother’s authority is confirmed over her sons, may their leadership in our parishes foster a spirit of reverence and obedience to Your divine law, enriching the lives of all. We pray to the Lord.
Religious and Consecrated Life
We pray for those in consecrated life, that by their vows of poverty and obedience, they may store up riches in heaven. May their lives of prayer serve as an atonement for sins and a witness to the kindness that blossoms when we honor the spiritual lineage of the Church’s traditions. We pray to the Lord.
Laity in the Workplace
We pray for the laity in their daily work, that they may treat colleagues and subordinates with the same respect owed to a parent. May their integrity and kindness in the professional world serve as a firm foundation, ensuring their own houses are built on the enduring justice of God’s word. We pray to the Lord.
SECOND READING
Pope Leo XIV
We pray for Pope Leo XIV, that he may continually clothe himself with heartfelt compassion, humility, and patience. As the Vicar of Christ, may he lead the Church in the bond of perfection, which is love, ensuring that the peace of Christ always controls the hearts of the faithful worldwide. We pray to the Lord.
Bishops
We pray for our Bishops, that they may be masters of forbearance and forgiveness within their dioceses. When grievances arise, grant them the grace to forgive as the Lord has forgiven them, teaching all the baptized to let the word of Christ dwell in them richly in all wisdom and holiness. We pray to the Lord.
Priests and Deacons
We pray for our Priests and Deacons, that they may minister with gratitude in their hearts. May their teaching and admonishing through psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs inspire their congregations to do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through their humble service. We pray to the Lord.
Religious and Consecrated Life
We pray for those in religious life, that they may live as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved. In their communities, may they put on the mantle of gentleness, avoiding any bitterness of spirit, so that their shared life becomes a radiant example of the harmony and peace found in Christ. We pray to the Lord.
Laity in the Workplace
We pray for the laity in the workplace, that they may labor without becoming discouraged or embittered. May they perform their duties with a spirit of cooperation and kindness, letting the peace of Christ rule their professional interactions and reflecting the light of the Gospel to all their coworkers and clients. We pray to the Lord.
GOSPEL
Pope Leo XIV
We pray for Pope Leo XIV, that he may be a vigilant guardian of the Church, much like Saint Joseph. Grant him the discernment to hear Your voice in the dreams and challenges of our time, leading the People of God safely through the dangers of a world often indifferent to Christ. We pray to the Lord.
Bishops
We pray for our Bishops, that they may protect the vulnerable flock under their care from those who would seek to destroy the innocent. May they lead with the courage of exiles, always ready to go wherever the Spirit directs to ensure the safety and spiritual growth of the faithful. We pray to the Lord.
Priests and Deacons
We pray for our Priests and Deacons, that they may find strength in times of transition and upheaval. When called to move or take on new missions, may they respond with the prompt obedience of Joseph, trusting that You are fulfilling the ancient prophecies through their humble and hidden service. We pray to the Lord.
Religious and Consecrated Life
We pray for those in consecrated life, that they may embrace the “Nazarene” way of life—humble, simple, and dedicated to the Father’s will. May their presence in the margins of society be a sign that God dwells among the lowly, providing refuge for all those fleeing the Herods of today. We pray to the Lord.
Laity in the Workplace
We pray for the laity, that they may find God’s guidance in the ordinary places of their lives and work. May they be like the Holy Family in Nazareth, turning their daily labor into a holy offering, and remaining ever attentive to the divine prompts that lead them to safety and peace. We pray to the Lord.
Governing Authorities and the Salvation of the World
We pray for the human family. May all its members, young and old, cherish and care for the earth, our common home. (Pause) Let us pray to the Lord.
We pray for the world at large. May compassion, kindness and goodness flourish across the face of the earth. (Pause) Let us pray to the Lord.
SOURCE: Australian Catholics
For all immigrants and refugees: that God will guide and sustain them, help them to make new friends, and lead them to places of safety and new beginnings
For peace amongst nations, ethnic groups, religions, and in our city streets: that God’s love made visible in the Christ Child may turn hearts from violence and open new paths of peace and justice
SOURCE: Sunday Website
The World
Feast of the Holy Family (A)
CBS NEWS (1:33) – In 2019, a Methodist church in California unveiled a nativity scene depicting Jesus, Mary and Joseph as refugees in cages.
Lord, we remember that the Holy Family were once refugees fleeing violence. We pray for the thousands of families currently seeking asylum at borders across the world. May they find safety instead of cages, and compassion instead of indifference. Let us recognize the face of the Christ Child in every child separated from their parents.
“Rise, take the child and his mother, flee to Egypt,
and stay there until I tell you.
Herod is going to search for the child
to destroy him.”
Joseph rose and took the child
and his mother by night
and departed for Egypt.
GOSPEL
Infographics on the WORD THIS WEEK website are created using Nano Banana Pro with Gemini 3.0. They may be copied for personal use or for use in any non-profit ministry. Please show your support by promoting the website.
POLITICS
FIRST READING
Prayer for National Honor:
Lord, grant our political leaders a spirit of reverence for the foundations of our nation. As Sirach reminds us to honor our parents, may our parties cease to revile one another in their strength. Let them act with kindness that serves as a sin-offering for our national divisions and history. We pray to the Lord.
Prayer for Patient Governance:
God of Wisdom, help our representatives show patience and care when the political process feels infirm or slow. May they seek to lay up treasure through empathy rather than seeking individual glory, remembering that kindness to a neighbor is firmly planted in your sight and heals the whole community. We pray to the Lord.
SECOND READING
Prayer for Compassionate Dialogue:
Heavenly Father, clothe our political parties with heartfelt compassion and gentleness. May they bear with one another and forgive grievances as you have forgiven us. Let constructive dialogue replace bitter arguments, allowing the peace of Christ to control the hearts of all who serve in our government today. We pray to the Lord.
Prayer for Unified Purpose:
Lord, grant our leaders the bond of perfection, which is love, to unite their disparate voices. Let your word dwell in our halls of power richly, so that lawmakers may teach and admonish one another with wisdom and open-mindedness, doing everything in the name of the Lord Jesus. We pray to the Lord.
GOSPEL
Prayer for Discernment:
O God, guide our nation away from the dangers of extreme polarization, just as Joseph was warned to flee to safety. Grant our leaders the discernment to listen for your voice in the quiet, leading us out of the conflict and toward a future of collaborative peace. We pray to the Lord.
Prayer for Shared Protection:
Lord, help our political parties recognize their shared duty to protect the vulnerable, just as Joseph shielded the Child from destruction. May they rise above partisanship to ensure our society remains a sanctuary for all, moving together toward a land where your holy will is obeyed and respected. We pray to the Lord.
THE POPE VIDEO (02:19) – In the last prayer intention for 2025, the Pope asks us to pray “that Christians living in areas of war or conflict, especially in the Middle East, might be seeds of peace, reconciliation and hope.”
WORLD PEACE
FIRST READING
Prayer for Middle East Mercy:
Lord, we pray for peace in the Middle East, honoring the ancient lands of our fathers. May kindness toward those suffering in conflict serve as an atonement for sins. Let the authority of justice be firmly planted in every city, ensuring that the prayers of the vulnerable are heard by you. We pray to the Lord…
Prayer for Eastern European Healing:
God of Mercy, look upon Eastern Europe and support those who are infirm or weakened by war. May neighboring nations not revile one another in their strength, but seek to lay up treasure through humanitarian care. Let their compassion be a lasting sin-offering that brings healing to the whole world. We pray to the Lord…
SECOND READING
Prayer for Global Trade Harmony:
Heavenly Father, we pray for the trade tensions in Asia. Clothe the hearts of world leaders with compassion, humility, and patience. Help them to bear with one another and forgive grievances, allowing the peace of Christ to control their negotiations as they seek the bond of perfection for all people. We pray to the Lord…
Prayer for Reconciliation:
Lord, grant the people of the Middle East the grace to forgive one another as you have forgiven us. Let your word dwell in them richly so that they may move beyond bitterness and harshness. May every action be done in your name, bringing the peace of Christ to these troubled nations. We pray to the Lord…
GOSPEL
Prayer for European Conflict Victims:
O God, protect the families in Eastern Europe who must rise by night to flee the search of those who seek to destroy life. Just as you guarded the Holy Family in Egypt, shield the innocent and lead them to a secure land where they can live in safety and peace. We pray to the Lord…
Prayer for Ethical Commerce:
Lord, grant the leaders involved in the Asia trade war the discernment of Saint Joseph. May they be guided to turn away from paths of economic destruction and protect the families who depend on global stability. Lead our nations out of the Egypt of greed into a peaceful and quiet Nazareth. We pray to the Lord…
For Those Facing Adversities
We pray for all who find Christmas a painful or difficult time. May the caring companionship of others help lighten their spirits. (Pause) Let us pray to the Lord.
We pray for emergency workers of every kind. May they be valued by the whole community for their work of keeping everyone safe. (Pause) Let us pray to the Lord.
SOURCE: Australian Catholics
For all who have no families and for those who are alienated from or rejected by their families: that they may experience love and acceptance through this Christian community
For parents of missing or run-away children: that God will watch over and protect their child from harm, and open a pathway for them to reconnect
For those who are experiencing divorce: that the Christ Child may bring healing and hope to their hearts
SOURCE: Sunday Website
Special Needs
Feast of the Holy Family (A)
JORDAN PETERSON (10:29) – When your own children choose to walk away, the pain is unbearable. Family estrangement is one of the most heartbreaking experiences a parent can face. In this powerful speech, Jordan Peterson shares deep insights into why adult children cut ties, how both sides suffer in silence, and whether reconciliation is possible. If you’re struggling with the loss of connection, this message is for you.
We pray for all families that are fractured by unresolved emotions and unspoken pain. We pray against the cultural lie that walking away is the only solution to conflict. We ask for the grace to navigate difficult emotions rather than escape them. Bridge the gap between family members, Lord. Create a space where hard conversations can happen without defensiveness.
if one has a grievance against another;
as the Lord has forgiven you, so must you also do.
And over all these put on love,
that is, the bond of perfection.
And let the peace of Christ control your hearts,
SECOND READING
Infographics on the WORD THIS WEEK website are created using Nano Banana Pro with Gemini 3.0. They may be copied for personal use or for use in any non-profit ministry. Please show your support by promoting the website.
PRIESTS FOR LIFE (2:11)
RESPECT FOR LIFE
FIRST READING
Prayer for the Elderly:
Lord, we pray for the dignity of the aged and infirm, especially those whose minds have failed them. In a culture that tempts us to despair or resort to euthanasia, grant us the grace to take care of our parents in their old age. May we not revile them, but honor them with kindness, knowing this reverence is a sin-offering that endures. We pray to the Lord…
Prayer for Selfless Love:
Heavenly Father, you teach us that he who honors his mother is like one who lays up treasure. Help us build families based on the principle of “Forget About Me; I Love You.” May this selfless authority in the home create a strong defense against the culture of death, ensuring that every life is welcomed and respected from conception. We pray to the Lord…
SECOND READING
Prayer for Strong Marriages:
God of Love, clothe our families in heartfelt compassion, patience, and humility. We pray that the breakdown of family structure may be healed by the bond of perfection, which is love. May strong, united marriages provide the support needed to reject abortion and instead say a generous “yes” to every new life entrusted to them. We pray to the Lord…
Prayer for Peace:
Lord, let the peace of Christ control our hearts, driving out the bitterness that leads to violence, the death penalty, and hatred. As we admonish one another, let us do so with wisdom and grace, respecting the dignity of every individual as a chosen one of God, holy and beloved, and never treating others as disposable. We pray to the Lord…
GOSPEL
Prayer for Fathers:
St. Joseph, protector of the Incarnate Word, we pray for all fathers today. As Herod sought to destroy the Child, so does the world threaten the unborn. Grant men the courage to rise and protect the vulnerable, making the right choices to shield their families from the culture of death and lead them to safety. We pray to the Lord…
Prayer for the Innocent:
Lord, your Son shared the extreme vulnerability of a human family forced to flee. We pray for all children targeted for destruction and those who have no voice. Make every household a true Sanctuary of Life, where the innocent are defended against the Herods of this age, and where your will is obeyed with total devotion. We pray to the Lord…
The Local Community
We pray for families in all their rich diversity. May the festive season bring their members together in a spirit of joy and gratitude. (Pause) Let us pray to the Lord. (Pause for silent prayer) Lord, hear us.
SOURCE: Australian Catholics
For healings of relationships in our families: that the Spirit of God will show us how to love one another more deeply, support one another each day, and forgive one another generously
For all married couples: that they may continually find new ways of growing in love and of supporting one another with heartfelt compassion and patience
For all children: that they may appreciate the gift of their parents and grow in wisdom and virtue each day
SOURCE: Sunday Website
Local Community
Feast of the Holy Family (A)
CATHOLIC ONLINE (3:40)
We entrust our parish to Your faithful care. Make our community be a sanctuary of love, where Your presence is felt in every word and deed. Grant us the grace to live in harmony, bearing with one another in patience and forgiveness. When we are tired, give us strength; when we are anxious, give us peace. May the bond of charity bind us together, so that no trial or difficulty may ever divide us.
God sets a father in honor over his children;
a mother’s authority he confirms over her sons.
Whoever honors his father atones for sins,
and preserves himself from them.e.
FIRST READING
Infographics on the WORD THIS WEEK website are created using Nano Banana Pro with Gemini 3.0. They may be copied for personal use or for use in any non-profit ministry. Please show your support by promoting the website.
FAMILIES
FIRST READING
Prayer for Honoring Parents:
Lord, we ask you to strengthen the bonds between children and their parents. May every son and daughter find the grace to honor their father and mother in deed and in word, remembering that kindness to a parent will not be forgotten but will be firmly planted as a sin-offering. We pray to the Lord.
Prayer for Compassionate Care:
God of Mercy, help us to care for our parents when their minds or bodies fail as they grow old. Grant us the patience to not revile them in our strength, but to support them with a heart full of compassion, thus building up a store of treasure in heaven. We pray to the Lord.
SECOND READING
Prayer for Family Harmony:
Holy Father, clothe our families with heartfelt compassion, humility, and gentleness. Help us to bear with one another and forgive any grievances, just as the Lord has forgiven us. Above all, let the bond of perfection—your divine love—unite our households in a peace that surpasses all understanding and worldly conflict. We pray to the Lord.
Prayer for Mutual Encouragement:
Lord, let your word dwell in our homes richly so that we may teach and admonish one another with wisdom. We pray that husbands and wives live in love, and that parents do not discourage their children, but instead nurture them with words of gratitude and songs of praise to God. We pray to the Lord.
GOSPEL
Prayer for Family Safety:
God our Protector, we lift up families who must flee from danger or live in the shadow of violence. Just as Joseph rose by night to take the Child and His Mother to Egypt, guide all families to places of safety and shield our children from the reach of those who seek their harm. We pray to the Lord.
Prayer for Divine Guidance:
Lord, grant the heads of our households the grace to listen for your voice in the quiet of their hearts. May they be lead by your Spirit to make wise decisions for the welfare of their families, ensuring that every home becomes a place where children can grow in peace and holiness. We pray to the Lord.
SACRAMENTS
FIRST READING
Prayer for Anointing:
Lord, we ask for a deepening appreciation of the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick. Just as Sirach calls us to care for parents when their minds fail, may this sacrament strengthen the elderly and infirm, helping families to honor them with kindness that serves as a lasting sin-offering. We pray to the Lord.
Prayer for Reconciliation:
Holy God, grant our community a greater understanding of the Sacrament of Penance. In the spirit of making atonement for sins through the honoring of parents, may we frequently seek your mercy to wash away our faults, ensuring our prayers are heard and our spiritual treasures are firmly planted. We pray to the Lord.
SECOND READING
Prayer for Marriage:
Heavenly Father, we pray for a renewed love for the Sacrament of Matrimony. May husbands and wives be clothed in heartfelt compassion and humility, letting the peace of Christ control their hearts. Through this holy bond, may they forgive one another and live in the perfect harmony of your love. We pray to the Lord.
Prayer for Eucharist:
Lord, deepen our gratitude for the Most Holy Eucharist, where your Word dwells in us richly. As we teach and admonish one another in wisdom, may the Body and Blood of Christ empower our families to do everything in his name, giving thanks to God the Father through Him. We pray to the Lord.
GOSPEL
Prayer for Baptism:
O God, we ask for a profound understanding of the Sacrament of Baptism, which marks our exodus from the darkness of sin. Just as you called your Son out of Egypt to safety, may the waters of rebirth protect our children and claim them as members of your holy household. We pray to the Lord.
Prayer for Orders:
Lord, we pray for our priests and deacons through the Sacrament of Holy Orders. Like St. Joseph, who rose by night to follow your divine guidance, may our clergy be led by your Spirit to shield the vulnerable and guide the community to the safety of your eternal grace. We pray to the Lord.
SUNDAY WEBSITE | AUSTRALIAN CATHOLICS | UN OBSERVANCES