Monday, September 18, 2017

Opportunities for Intercession

First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for everyone... (1 Timothy 2:1)

It's easy to get caught up in our lives and needs and forget to pray for others, but God calls us to intercede for everyone, to lift them up to Him and to ask that His will be done in their lives. This doesn't have to take a long time. We don't have to recite elaborate prayers or list dozens of requests. All we need to do is lovingly present those around us to God, and this is something we can easily incorporate into our daily lives. 

Here are a few opportunities for intercession:

1. Pick out the saddest looking person in the room, and ask God to wrap him or her in joy.

2. Pray for the check-out clerk at the store.

3. Pray for other drivers, especially when they aren't driving very well.

4. When you read or listen to a news story, pray for the people involved.

5. Smile at the person next to you in line, and say a quick prayer for him or her.

6. Read the obituary section of the newspaper, and pray for the deceased and their families.

7. Say a prayer for the person who makes you upset or angry.

8. Pray for the person sitting next to you (or in front of you or behind you) at church.

9. Lift up a prayer for the parent whose child is screaming in a public place.

10. Pray for your co-workers, students, teachers, etc.

11. Lift up your priests and pastors to God.

12. Pray for the sick and for the souls in Purgatory.

The possibilities for intercessory prayer are endless if only you look for them, recognize them, and take advantage of them. The people around us need prayer. All of us need prayer. That's why St. Paul urges “supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for everyone.”

Friday, September 1, 2017

A Litany of Gratitude

“...give thanks in all circumstances...” (1 Thessalonians 5:18)

Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
Jesus, hear us.
Jesus, graciously hear us.
God the Father, have mercy on us.
God the Son, have mercy on us.
God the Holy Spirit, have mercy on us.
For the gift of life, we thank You, Lord.
For the gift of salvation, we thank You, Lord.
For Your great mercy and forgiveness, we thank You, Lord.
For every grace, we thank You, Lord.
For the supernatural life in our souls, we thank You, Lord.
For Your divine indwelling, we thank You, Lord.
For eternal life with You, we thank You, Lord.
For all virtues, we thank You, Lord.
For our Baptism, we thank You, Lord.
For our Confirmation, we thank You, Lord.
For the Holy Eucharist, we thank You, Lord.
For the sacrament of Confession, we thank You, Lord.
For every sacrament, we thank You, Lord.
For all our prayers, we thank You, Lord.
For Sacred Scripture, we thank You, Lord.
For Sacred Tradition, we thank You, Lord.
For the Magisterium, we thank You, Lord.
For the Holy Church, we thank You, Lord.
For Mary, our Mother, we thank You, Lord.
For all the saints and angels, we thank You, Lord.
For our Holy Father, the Pope, we thank You, Lord.
For our bishops, priests, and deacons, we thank You, Lord.
For our family and friends, we thank You, Lord.
For our talents and skills, we thank You, Lord.
For our joys and delights, we thank You, Lord.
For every blessing, we thank You, Lord.
For our trials and sorrows, we thank You, Lord.
For the challenges we face, we thank You, Lord.
For the opportunities to grow, we thank You, Lord.
For everything we learn, we thank You, Lord.
For all the beauty around us, we thank You, Lord.
For everything You do for us and give us, we thank You, Lord.
For Your infinite love, we thank You, Lord.

Let us pray.

Dear Lord, increase our gratitude. Give us hearts of thankfulness and praise. Fill us with Your love that we may pass it on to all those we meet. Amen.