Prayers for Life

Holy Spirit, hear the longing of my heart for family healing, and carry my prayers forth when they are beyond utterance.

God of love, bless the members of my family in all their strengths and weaknesses. Pour out your spirit upon us all so that your peace and charity may guide the way we serve and speak to one another.

I remember the promise given to us in Philippians, the promise of a peace that passes all understanding. I imagine myself experiencing that serenity amidst the choppy waves of a ship at sea .

I ask for the grace of peace and deepening love, in my marriage or the marriage of a loved one. I ask also for the grace of joy, for the gift of being fully seen, fully known, and fully accepted within marriage.

Jesus, you know, your time, like ours, was filled with violence, hate and suffering. You lived under a repressive regime. May I be a steward of mercy and peace in our suffering world.

I ask for your wisdom as I strive to recall what I have learned for this exam. Grant me clarity of thought, quickness of mind, and peace of Spirit as I am tested.

Lord, you knit me together in my mother’s womb, and you know the desires and movements of my heart. I approach you in prayer and petition with thanksgiving, presenting my requests to you.

God, hear my prayer for the dying, for those who stand at the threshold between life on earth and life with You beyond it. As they approach this holy moment of transition, may they receive the comfort of Your presence and Your gentle assurance that they will not make this journey alone.

God, you know what I need before I even ask for it. (Matthew 6:8) In your wisdom, you know what moments of joy and suffering await me today.

Compassionate God, I come to you tired and weary. My burdens are so heavy, and my suffering is hard to bear. I need your help. I need your strength in this difficult time.