Here are some prayers and prayer links which may be of help.
A light in the darkest times
Prayer to accompany CAFOD's Asia Disaster Appeal
John 1:5 - A light that shines in the dark, a light that darkness could not overpower.
Loving, ever-living and compassionate God,
You understand the pain of loss, the heartache of bereavement,
May we hold in our hearts all those whose families or friends have died.
You are a light that shines in the darkest times,
Guide us and heal us in our sorrow.
You comfort us in times of fear,
May we comfort each other, even across the miles that keep us apart.
You console and lead us in times of doubt and confusion,
May we follow the light of your love, and spread hope.
You move our hearts to acts of generosity,
May we be led to share what we have with those in need.
God of life,
We thank you for the signs of your light in the midst of our darkness,
May we be signs of your compassion in the heart of your world.
Amen.
© Linda Jones/CAFOD
Prayer to make poverty history
Christ our Lord,
your light shines into the shadows,
and shows us
where the obstacles to change lie.
We know that often
they are in our own hearts,
in the way we live,
and in our daily choices and actions.
We pray that we may accept
the light of your love
as a challenge to change
ourselves and our world.
We pray that, each day,
we make the choices and
take the actions
that will bring an end to poverty and hunger,
and lead us all
towards a fairer world.
Be with us, Lord,
as we face your challenge
and learn how to live
our lives in love.
Amen
© Linda Jones
Meditation on the Lord's prayer
Our Father who art in Heaven, you want us your children to build a new earth of sisterhood and brotherhood, not a hell of violence and death.
Holy be your name, that in your name Lord, let there be no abuse, no oppression and no manipulation of the conscience and liberty of your children.
Your Kingdom come, not the kingdom of fear, force or money, of seeking peace through war.
Your will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven, in this land of ours and in sister lands which echo with gunfire and cries of fear.
Give us this day our daily bread, the bread of peace, Lord, so that we can sow our maize and beans, watch them grow and share them together as a family.
Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Do not let our relationships be based on self-interest. Let us change laments for songs of life, clenched fists for outstretched hands and the weeping of widows and orphans for smiles.
Lead us not into temptation, the temptation to conform, to do nothing: the temptation not to collaborate with you in the search for justice and peace.
But deliver us from evil, from behaving like Cain to our brothers and sisters, from believing ourselves rulers over life and death.
For yours is the Kingdom, the Power and the Glory. You are our hope of salvation, in you we place our trust.
© El Salvador, group of refugees, from Celebrating One World, CAFOD/HarperCollins, 1998 available from CAFOD resources
Living example of a loving community
We pray for the Church throughout the world that she may be a living example of a loving community, and a voice for those who are hungry for justice.
Lord in your mercy,
hear our prayer.
We pray for the world's leaders, that they may work to overcome the barriers between peoples and foster a spirit of global community.
Lord in your mercy,
hear our prayer.
We pray for our own local community here in ...
We pray for those who feel excluded from our local community, through poverty, disability or illness. We pray for people affected by HIV and AIDS, and especially for those excluded from our communities through discrimination and prejudice.
Lord in your mercy,
hear our prayer. © Linda Jones (Cafod)
Read more of these prayers at
CafodThe Rosminians
Official site for the Rosminian Order with links to their parishes.
The Benedictines
Information about the Benedictines in England and links to other parts of the world.
Prayer
