The First Sunday of Lent, February 22, 2026, The Prayers of the Faithful

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Christ in the Desert, First Sunday of Lent 2026, By Ronald Raab, CSC

February 22, 2026

First Sunday of Lent

Let us pray for Leo, our Pope, and ___, our Bishop. May this Lenten journey bring hope to all people and satisfaction to every human heart. May our sins be healed in the balm of God’s tenderness.

We pray to the Lord.

Let us pray to embark on an inner journey in Lent. May our self-hatred find consolation and our inner wounds know only forgiveness. May our conscience become clear in God’s tender mercy.

We pray to the Lord.

Let us pray to clear away war, violence and gunfire toward the innocent. May we discover hope even amid despair. May peace be planted firmly upon the earth.

We pray to the Lord.

Let us pray for people suffering mental anguish. May we all find calm in this season of hope. May people who live in the deserts of our streets find compassion and genuine shelter.

We pray to the Lord.

Let us pray for people who search for a home within the Church. May those who will be baptized at Easter find a path of prayerful freedom this Lent.  

We pray to the Lord.

Let us pray for the survival of our earth.  May we work diligently for the healing of our planet. May our efforts be made visible.  May all desert places bloom with hope.

We pray to the Lord.

Let us pray to surrender to God in this season of Lent. May our fasting deepen our hunger for what is our true feast, Jesus Christ. May God alone nourish our lives.

We pray to the Lord.

Let us pray for people amid storms and natural disasters. May we reach out to people who have lost livelihood and belongings. May the chaos of life be calmed by our almsgiving.

We pray to the Lord.

Let us pray for our loved ones who have journeyed home in death. May our hearts be consoled and our loved ones be freed in the face of Christ.

We pray to the Lord.

Ash Wednesday, February 18, 2026, The Prayers of the Faithful

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February 18, 2026

Ash Wednesday

For Leo, our Pope. For renewal and dedication in our Church Universal. May this time of Lent be true springtime for all who lead us in faith. May we serve with care and integrity.

We pray to the Lord.

For generosity in giving alms. May we silence our trumpets of self-concern. May alms flow with love from our hearts for the benefit of others.

We pray to the Lord.

For a new dedication in our lives of prayer. May our hypocrisy end in our time. May our lives be truly open to God’s love and faithfulness toward us.

We pray to the Lord.

For a sincerity in our Lenten prayers. May our attentive hearts behind closed doors lead us to renew our baptism within the Church.

We pray to the Lord.

For lives emptied of guilt and lust. May we fast from our addictions to food, pornography and false power. May our emptied hearts find truth in God’s plan for us.

We pray to the Lord.

For our loved ones who have died. May the deserts of life end in the glory of heaven. May our departed find true favor with God.

We pray to the Lord.

The Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time, February 15, 2026, The Prayers of the Faithful

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A Holy Cross: From the series, “Cross Fire”

February 15, 2026

Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time

For Leo, our Pope. May our religious leaders find the light of Christ Jesus. May they shine brightly in service and in love.

We pray to the Lord.

For all who long to forgive a loved one. May our lives be rooted in the Father’s mercy and love. May the Eucharist become the food of authentic forgiveness.

We pray to the Lord.

For all who wait in the bitter cold for shelter, food and clothing. May we reach beyond our selfish ways to help others with the basics of life. May hope be housed in every human being.

We pray to the Lord.

For people who live only in self-sufficiency and in entitlement. May we come to a new humility in Christ Jesus. May we surrender to God’s healing love.

We pray to the Lord.

For all who bear the weight of depression and loneliness. May we not blame others for their disease or heartache. May forgiveness in life fuel our relationships with love and goodness.

We pray to the Lord.

For all who live with discouragement and fear. May we learn to support others in their quest for faith and justice. May hope be born in every human heart.

We pray to the Lord.

For prisoners and all who await trials and verdicts. May we all pursue right actions and lives of forgiveness. May hope be born in our waiting for justice.

We pray to the Lord

For all who grieve the loss of a loved one. May Christ redeem our losses on earth. May peace live in our hearts with faith and compassion.

We pray to the Lord.

For all who have died. May our loved ones live forever in the glory of God’s kingdom.

We pray to the Lord.

FaithND, February 6, 2026, Prayer by Ronald Raab, CSC

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PRAYER

Rev. Ronald Patrick Raab, C.S.C.

O God of our longing, you sent John the Baptist to proclaim your kingdom amid our human divisions. Even in his horrific death, John foreshadowed the path of Jesus’ passion, death, and resurrection. May we hear the message of Jesus Christ with intrigue and hope. May the voice of love speak beyond our earthly grudges and instincts of violence. May hope ring out in our world as to imitate John the Baptist and point our lives in the direction of Jesus, the Christ. Amen.

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