These ideas are designed to be starting points for the prayers of a particular community of faith.

Joe Milner

1. For the Church: that we may recognize the voice of the Lord in our lives, distinguish it from the many other sounds which demand our time and attention, and follow the invitations of Jesus to a fuller life

2. For all who have shepherded us, particularly parents, pastors, teachers, and mentors: that God will continue to work through them and guide them in sharing their gifts so that others may grow

3. For all who preach amidst opposition and peril: that God will embolden their hearts, empower their words, and inspire them in announcing God’s mercy and unbounded love

4. For freedom from fear: that we may rely upon the Spirit’s strength as we face challenges and negative messages in our work and society

5. For all the newly baptized: that they may enter more fully into the life of the parish, share in its mission and be a source of renewal for us

6. For the grace to share our gifts: that we may place our gifts at the service of others for God’s glory even if they are not accepted

7. For healing of the divisions in the human family: that God will heal the wounds of racism and ethnic discrimination so that there may be one crowd of people from every land offering praise and worship to God with a common voice

8. For all who serve in pastoral ministry: that God will guide them in the service of the community, help them to follow Jesus more closely, and continually renew them with love and strength

9. For all who are discerning a call to pastoral ministry: that they will hear God’s invitation to share in nurturing and guiding the faith community and respond with generous hearts

10. For all who will be confirmed soon: that God will fill them with the Spirit, help them to recognize the Spirit’s gifts to them, and guide them in being effective witnesses in their words and deeds

11. For all Mothers and those who have been like a mother to us: that God will bless and strengthen them and inspire us to greater love by their witness of love and concern

12. For all who are graduating this spring: that God will guide them in using their gifts and talents so that they will enrich the world and be instruments of hope and peace

13. For the members of Congress and local legislatures: that God will give them wisdom and insight as they establish budgets and priorities that will serve the common good

14. For all who are impacted by floods and other natural disasters: that God will protect them from harm, give them the strength to face their challenges, and fill their hearts with hope

15. For greater care of earth’s resources: that God will move hearts to greater awareness of the fragility of the air and fresh water so that they may be preserved for our children and grandchildren