Universal Prayer or Prayer of the Faithful: Ordinary Time 12

Father of all graciousness, You sent Your Son Jesus to make all things new through His unique and all-embracing sacrifice. May the Gift of the Holy Spirit continue to awaken and to enlighten us with strength so that each of us may “pick up the Cross and follow” Your Son, Jesus.

1. Jesus asks, “But who do you say that I am?” Inspire Your Church, heavenly Father, to live the Cross of Jesus. May the Holy Spirit’s power keep Pope Francis and Archbishop Charles strong in proclaiming and living the selfless love Jesus manifested throughout His life especially in His suffering, passion and death. We pray …

2. Jesus asks, “But who do you say that I am?” Inspire all citizens of the world, heavenly Father, to model human living on the selflessness of Jesus “Who came to serve rather than be served.” May governments both home and abroad work to reverence religious liberty as a common good at the heart of all culture. We pray …

3. Jesus asks, “But who do you say that I am?” Inspire with the creative wind of the Holy Spirit, heavenly Father, all dimensions of parish life that we may become a “fountain to purify from sin” all who are in need of experiencing freedom from sin’s addiction as sons and daughters in the Son of God. We pray …

4. Jesus asks, “But who do you say that I am?” Inspire each of us as believers, heavenly Father, to acknowledge that we thirst for You more than for life itself. Remove the drowsiness and sleepiness that grips our spiritual lives and awaken us to the new life of union with your Son, Jesus. We pray …

5. Jesus asks, “But who do you say that I am?” Inspire all the sick and all who suffering any way, heavenly Father, to find comfort in Jesus Your Son, especially … [PAUSE] Raise up to Eternal Life all who have died, especially ... We pray …

God our Father,
Who willed that Your Only Begotten Son
should undergo the Cross to save the human race,
grant, we pray, that we,
who have known His mystery on earth,
may merit the grace of His redemption in heaven.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son,
Who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God for ever and ever.