Fifth Sunday of Year B

That all disciples of the Jesus who immersed himself into the world of pain will ‘go and do likewise’, bring hope where there is despair and seek by our love to ‘heal the broken-hearted’

                                [READER]            LORD WE PRAY…
                                  [Response]         Set your People free…

That those imprisoned for so long in cycles of violence and haunted by demons of terror might risk letting go of the weapons of hate and walk through the open door of peace, especially in Palestine and Israel, Russia and Ukraine, Sudan and Cameroon

                                [READER]            LORD WE PRAY…
                                [Response]         Set your People free…

Paul says. ‘I have made myself a slave of all in order to win some’ … we pray for all who serve the community as social workers, carers and teachers: may their work help support the vulnerable and heal divisions on our communities; with Thursday’s Feast of the liberated trafficked slave, St Josephine Bakhita, we pray for all refugees and asylum-seekers and all who have been trafficked and exploited – that they find peace, freedom and healing

                                [READER]            LORD WE PRAY…
                                [Response]         Set your People free…

Jesus got up early to pray and seek God’s direction: in the Year of Prayer, may our parish grow in prayerfulness, explore the depths of contemplation even as we develop further our mission and ministries   

                                [READER]            LORD WE PRAY…
                                [Response]         Set your People free…

For those of our inner city whose lives are alienated and isolated because of drugs and alcohol, because of relationship breakdown and abuse: may the healing love of God touch them through our parish and our companion Christian communities in Easton and St Paul’s

                                [READER]            LORD WE PRAY…
                                [Response]         Set your People free…

For all who serve our children and families who are preparing to celebrate First Eucharist of First Reconciliation … may they grow in a hunger for God, a love for Christ Jesus and an openness to the Holy Spirit, and so become loving disciples in God’s Church 

                                [READER]            LORD WE PRAY…
                                [Response]         Set your People free…

We pray healing and freedom for all those suffering most in this cold weather, especially the homeless and the elderly; we pray too for the sick of our community, especially …
for the recently dead especially … and all who die as victims of poverty and war’s brutality;
for all whose anniversaries are at this time, in particular …

                                [READER]            LORD WE PRAY…
                                [Response]         Set your People free…

Mary, Queen of Peace and Servant of healing, pray with us for the peace of our world…    

HAIL MARY…

Let us pray in the silence for hidden needs…