My brothers and sisters, as members of the body of Christ, let us pray to God our Father in the name of our Saviour for the salvation of all people and the building up of the Church

PRAYER OF THE FAITHFUL

Twentieth Sunday of Ordinary Time

Option Two - Prayer for the Church in Iraq
Invitation to Prayer:

My brothers and sisters,

conscious of the plight of our brothers and sister in Iraq,

let us heed the invitation of their Patriarch

to pray for them in their time of need.

As members of the one body of Christ,

let us pray for their safety

and for the salvation of all people.

Concluding Prayer: (Adapted from the Prayer of the Chaldean Catholic Patriarch of Iraq, His Beatitude Louis Rafael Sako.)
Lord,

hear our prayers for the needs of the Church,

especially for the people and Church in Iraq,

for their plight is deep

and the suffering of Christians is severe and frightening.

Therefore, we ask you, Lord,

to spare their lives,

and to grant them patience and courage

to continue their witness of Christian values

with trust and hope.

Lord, as peace is the foundation of life,

grant them the peace and stability

that will enable them to live with each other

without fear and anxiety and with dignity and joy.

Glory be to you, O God,

through Christ our Lord.

PRAYER OF THE FAITHFUL

Twentieth Sunday of Ordinary Time - YEAR A - August 17, 2014
Deacon or Reader:

1. For the Church, called to share its faith in the healing presence of Jesus;

for all who seek God’s mercy and love and support, especially in Iraq;

and for the Church in Tunisia, Chad and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

We pray to the Lord.
2. For government leaders and elected officials and all for those who work for peace;

for a generous and giving heart in attending to the needs of others;

and for those who maintain justice and holiness.

We pray to the Lord.

3. For all Christians who gather in faith to remember God’s wondrous works

and to receive the bread of life on this day;

for the injured, the sick, the neglected and the dying;

and for peace in all families, neighbourhoods, towns, and cities.

We pray to the Lord.
4. For the safety of all Christians, especially in the Iraq and the Middle East;

for vocations to the priesthood, the diaconate and the religious life;

for those contemplating the Sacrament of Marriage;

and for all young people who are discerning their call from God.

We pray to the Lord.
5. For the poorest of the poor and all refugees throughout the world;

for aid agencies who rely on our solidarity;

and for all who work to ensure a just distribution of the Creator’s gifts

of land and water to all people.

We pray to the Lord.
6. For the spiritual and physical well-being of all parishioners;

for the safety of all travellers;

for all who have died recently;
and for those who mourn and suffer loss.

We pray to the Lord.

PRAYER OF THE FAITHFUL

Twentieth Sunday of Ordinary Time - YEAR A - August 17, 2014

1. Deacon: Let us pray for the Church, called to share its faith in the healing presence of Jesus:

Reader: For all who seek God’s mercy and love and support, especially in Iraq;

for all Christians who gather in faith to remember God’s wondrous works

and to receive the bread of life on this day;

and for the Church in Tunisia, Chad and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

We pray to the Lord.
2. Deacon: Let us pray for the peace and safety of all Christians in Iraq and the Middle East:

Reader: For government leaders and all for those who work for peace;

for a generous and giving heart in attending to the needs of others;

and for those who maintain justice and holiness.

We pray to the Lord.

3. Deacon: Let us pray for the needs of the Church and our parish:

Reader: For the injured, the sick, the neglected and the dying;

for vocations to the priesthood, the diaconate and the religious life;

for those contemplating the Sacrament of Marriage;

and for all young people who are discerning their call from God.

We pray to the Lord.
4. Deacon: Let us pray for the poor and those in dire need:

Reader: For the poorest of the poor and all refugees throughout the world;

for aid agencies who rely on our solidarity;

for peace in all families, neighbourhoods, towns, and cities;

and for all who work to ensure a just distribution of the Creator’s gifts

of land and water to all people.

We pray to the Lord.

5. Deacon: Let us pray for the spiritual and physical well-being of all parishioners:

Reader: For the safety of all travellers;

for all who have died recently;

and for those who mourn and suffer loss.

We pray to the Lord.