SAMPLE POF DURING ADVENT SEASON

 CHURCH:

     For the Holy Father Pope Benedict, our bishop(s )___________and the    spiritual leaders of our community: May they constantly inspire their flocks with their zeal and dedication. We pray.

     For the Catholic faithful all over the world: May the observance of the           Advent season be a source of grace and hope as we look forward to the celebration of our Lord’s Birthday. Let us pray to the Lord.

     That our Church leaders may have the courage and humility in instructing their flocks, and always lead us by their exemplary life. Let us pray.

    GOVERNMENT LEADERS:

  

    That our government leaders may always design activities that are fully in accordance with God’s law and plans. Let us pray.

    

     For the Legislators of our country: May they always set up policies and activities that are fully in accordance with God’s law and plans. We pray.

     For our government leaders: may they always follow God’s will and seek the welfare of those under their care especially the poor and the less privileged. Let us pray to the Lord.

      THE NEEDY: 

     For the sick especially the members of our respective families and of the _________community, the elderly, the unemployed, the homeless and all those who feel neglected by the society: and those who suffer in whatever way: May they experience the love of God especially in this season of Advent and Christmas through the solidarity and generosity of all believers. We pray.

     For those who have been victims of injustice and oppression: May the spirit of Advent and Christmas instill in their hearts thoughts of forgiveness and peace. Let us pray to the Lord.

   OTHER NEEDS:

  

    For all families, especially the ones that are undergoing severe crises: May the spirit of Advent and Christmas help them rediscover the roots of their love and enable them to overcome all difficulties. We pray.

    For all husbands and fathers: May they live up to their responsibility of being loving companions to their wives and instruments of God’s providence for their children, in imitation of St. Joseph. We pray.

    For all Filipino families, particularly those members who work away from home due to economic hardships: May they find in their Christian faith the strength they need to overcome the present difficulties. Let us pray to the Lord.

       FOR THE PEOPLE GATHERED: 

    That all of us gathered here may use this time of waiting and expectation to grow in faith, hope and charity rather than being overly anxious about the worldly preparation for the holidays. Let us pray.

    For all of us gathered to prepare our hearts for the coming of Jesus: May our good example in our family life be a source of inspiration and unity for all. We pray.

Emancipation of the Freed: Living Love

Emancipation of the Freed: Living Love

Ash Wednesday

Presider: As we begin the Lenten journey toward the joyful paschal feast, let us turn to God who is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. For every prayer, let us respond: FATHER OF MERCY, HEAR YOUR PEOPLE.

1. Father, remember your Church leaders especially in those places of violence. (pause). Give them courage and strength and protect them as they continue to preach the Good News of Salvation. We pray.

2.1 Father, remember your lands. (pause) Let all nations live in peace especially in the Middle East and in our own country and homes. We pray.

2.2 Father, remember our government leaders. (pause) Guide them in their decision making for the good of the country. We pray.

3.1 Father, remember those who suffer. (pause) Hear the cries of those maltreated and oppressed, who labor without joy or justice, who struggle each day without bread, dignity and safety. We pray.

3.2 Father, remember the sick and the dying. (pause) Send your angels to guard and support them during illness especially the members of our respective families. We pray.

4. Father, remember all of us gathered here. (pause) Lead us by your Spirit to embrace more fully the Lenten discipline of prayer, fasting and generous giving. we pray.

5. Father, remember your beloved dead. (pause) Raise them from death and bring them to the salvation you promise for all who call upon you especially those we now name in silence... (you may pray for your beloved dead in silence). We pray.


Presider: Hear the voice of your people, loving Father and answer our cry, for we call upon the Holy name of your Son, Jesus Christ who is Lord forever and ever. Amen.

For Government leaders and Politicians (number 2 of the Prayer of the Faithful)

That our political leaders will be clearly prepared and competent to play politics properly without deforming its nature, hindering its purpose and cutting its message.

That our government leaders and legislators may be inspired by the beatitudes to serve the poor and the voiceless.

That politicians will realize very deeply that they can function well only when they are adequately grounded on the authentic nature and requirements of politics that is relating politics to its origin in God’s divine plan.

That politicians will have a firm and proper sense of priority, a good grasp of the criteria to guide them in their work.

That politicians will realize deeply that the art of politics is essentially a very moral duty.

That politicians should always promote the moral truth in public life.

That politicians should act responsibly on the basis of factual knowledge that is avoiding biases that are coming from party pressures or selfish interests.

For the Needy (number 3 of the Prayer of the Faithful)

The needy:

That those in prison may not lose hope but will look forward to freedom and integration with the community where they can rebuild their lives. We pray.

That the sick may find strength in the Body and Blood of Christ. We pray

That those tempted against hope may find comfort and peace in the sacrament of the altar. We pray.

That families broken and divided by misunderstandings or wounded by the refusal to forgive and be forgiven may be repaired and healed by the love that ever streams from the Eucharistic Heart of Christ. We pray.

Based on the Healing of the Leper

PRESIDER: With faith and confidence, like the leper in the Gospel, let us now present our petitions to our loving and compassionate God. And for every prayer we respond:

GOD OF COMPASSION, HEAR US.

1. That the Church leaders of our country, inflamed with the fire of Christ’s love, will continuously reach out to others with compassionate care especially to those who have been rejected, maltreated and left completely alone. We pray.

2. That our newly elected government officials, in their effort to develop the economy, will always consider the dignity of each person by placing them at the center of policies and practices. We pray.

3. That all families in our community who are broken and divided by misunderstandings or wounded by the refusal to forgive and be forgiven will be repaired and healed by the love that ever streams from the Eucharistic Heart of Christ. We pray.

4. That the students of our institution may grow in their love of knowledge and wisdom. We pray.

5. That all of us gathered here, despite our woundedness, will allow the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with the love and compassion of Christ for others. We pray.

6. In the silence of our hearts, let us offer to God our personal intentions.

PRESIDER: Loving Father, hear and grant our prayers through Christ our Lord forever and ever. Amen.

Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross

PRESIDER: Let us now pray to God the Father who loved the world so much that he gave his only Son to die for us upon the Cross. For every prayer let us say:

THROUGH THE POWER OF THE CROSS,
HEAR US, O LORD.

1. That ours Church leaders Pope Benedict, our bishops, priests and deacons may always have the mentality of Christ: always ready to be totally committed to God and to the people even at the cost of suffering. We pray.

2. That politicians who will run for office in the incoming 2010 election may constantly on guard against selfishness and false ambition and may have the grace to work for clean and honest election. We pray.

3. That the upright people in the present system of our government may have the courage to organize themselves and look for ways and means to change the system of government according to the rule of love and peaceful ways accompanied by our intense and sustained prayer symbolized by the cross. We pray.

4. That the sick, the families of the victims of violence and summary execution in our city and the families affected by floods in the different parts of our country may see in the cross of Jesus the hope of complete healing and recovery. We pray.

5. That those who have promised loyalty in their vocation as married, priests and religious, and single-blessedness may continue to grow in love and faithfulness. We pray.

6. That all of us gathered here as stewardship institution, may always offer grounds for gratitude even in the context of trial and suffering, and learn to forgive and to bear one another’s burdens on account of the cross of Christ. We pray.

7. That our sisters and brothers who have died especially our founders, alumni, students, faculty and staff, relatives and our benefactors and friends may enjoy peace and happiness in the Lord’s eternal kingdom. We pray.

8. In silence, let us pray for our personal intention.

PRESIDER: Loving Father, in this life and the next, our hope is in the cross. Grant our petitions as we praise you for your mercy through Christ our Lord forever and ever. Amen.