Prayerful Concerns of Our Parish Community – 2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time

We offer these Prayers of the Faithful from the 2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time ( January 14-15, 2023) in the hopes that they are helpful to you in your own prayerful reflections this week. Lord, hear our prayers:
The promise of Jesus and the prophets is that the love of God embraces all peoples and God’s kindness and mercy know no limits. Trusting in that welcome, we pray:
That our Church and leaders be guided by the Holy Spirit, a Spirit of hope, courage, integrity and mercy, and that these gifts be shown in our words and deeds, we pray to the Lord.
This week, as we remember Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, may the Holy Spirit help us to see where racism, fear, and hatred are present in our society, its actions, and our attitudes. We pray that we all are able to love our neighbor as Jesus asks. We pray to the Lord.
Starting on Wednesday, Christian churches observe a week of prayer for Christian unity. Jesus prayed that we might all be one, not necessarily the same, but united in hearts and minds and mutual respect. May we seek those gifts and live them. For our brother and sister Christians in other churches and communities of faith, we pray to the Lord.
Where there is brokenness in relationships, loss of hope that change can happen, or where we are held back by fear, we ask the Spirit for healing, hope, vision and courage, for ourselves and our church, we pray to the Lord.
For all who are hungry or homeless here in Maine, and around the world, and for those exploited by the powerful of this world, we pray to the Lord.
For all who give of their time, their energy, ideas, and resources in our community agencies, organizations, and non-profits. Their work benefits us all. We pray to the Lord.
For all who have died and those who are dying today. At this liturgy we especially remember:
4:30 PM Mr. & Mrs. Joseph Mathieu by Yvette Deschanes
7:30 AM Edward Piderit by the Morrison Family
9:30 AM For The People of the Parish both Living & Deceased
5:00 PM Helen Polito by Therese Flaherty & Family
We pray to the Lord.
God of our strength, hear our prayers. May our oneness with you and each other, be the living sign of your presence in our divided world. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
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