This is the moment when we call to mind those people for whom we wish to pray.
You almost certainly don’t need my help with this, but here are a few suggestions.
If you like, after each prayer you may add the response:
Lord hear us, Lord graciously hear us.
-For our loved ones with whom we cannot be present:
-For all those who find themselves sad, frightened and alone:
-For all those who are sick at this time, especially any we know personally:
-For any of our friends who have died recently, especially those whose death is COVID related:
-For all in the frontline of response to the pandemic, especially nurses, doctors, scientists and all healthcare workers:
-For all who grow and all who transport the food we need to keep us alive and nourished:
-For all in Eastern Europe and elsewhere who are suffering the horrors of war:
-For all engaged in the vital services that keep our lives and countries going:
-For all suffering from the consequences of extreme weather conditions:
-For all sex-workers and those who depend on them:
-For our enemies, and those who hate us:
-For those whose political, religious, and economic ideas seem incomprehensibly cruel and selfish to us:
-For those who find themselves out of their depths attempting to run our countries:
-For the Synodal process and all those involved in it:
-For Pope Francis and all religious leaders of good will:
When you have finished, you may like to gather up all these prayers with one of the following:
May all these prayers, those of all praying the eucharist today throughout the world, and the thoughts and intentions of all our hearts, be gathered before God’s throne by Mary who prays alongside us.
Hail Mary, full of grace
The Lord is with thee
Blessed art thou amongst women
And Blessed is the fruit of thy womb,
Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God,
Pray for us sinners
now, and at the hour of our death.
Amen.
Or (n-o-a):
Heavenly Father,
you who scrutinize our minds and our hearts,
give ear to all that we bring before you,
even where we do not know how to ask;
Gather together our longings and desires
with those of all our sisters and brothers throughout the world
who are praying to you today
and show us how much more you want to give us
than we can imagine.
We make our prayer through Christ our Lord.
Amen.