Presider: Let us pray for the needs of all gathered here and the needs of our world.
- For the church as we enter this holy season, for detachment from things that distract us from what matters most, for grace to return to God with all our hearts, we pray.
- For our country, for responsible leadership and civil dialogue among us; for the courage to speak for those who have no voice, for compassion to care for the poor, and for perseverance to pursue the common good, we pray.
- For grace to enter these 40 days with openness to the Holy Spirit; to seek the merciful Lord in prayer, fasting and generosity, we pray.
- For our people to be generous in their contribution to the 2020 Catholic Charities Appeal, and an increase of vocation to the priesthood and religious life, we pray
- For the sick and those who live with chronic illness, for those who daily face addiction or live with depression, for surrender to the grace of God’s healing love, we pray.
- For all who have died, with hope in the Lord’s promise of eternal life, we pray.
Presider: Gracious God, you who are the source of mercy and love, open our hearts to the joy of repentance and renewal. Help us embrace the opportunity to take stock of our lives and be renewed in faith. As you give us the wisdom to do your will, lead us always in your love, through Christ, our Lord. Amen.
