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.
For Leo, our Pope and ___, our bishop. May they lead us in serving our poor, abandoned and lost. May we all be salt and light for the good of people.
We pray to the Lord.
For people preparing for Easter sacraments. May we provide communities of hope for people searching for Christ Jesus. May hope be born within all people who long for mercy and for justice.
We pray to the Lord.
For people in the center of political violence, hatred and instability. May we become light for all who are threatened and discouraged. May Christians become a beacon of peace to all people.
We pray to the Lord.
For people who worry about their lives. For those who fret about their decisions and commitments in life. May God heal all doubt and uncertainty.
We pray to the Lord.
For people who survive on our streets. May we shelter the homeless and provide food for our neighbors who are starving for nourishment and for justice. May God provide for all people in these frigid days of winter.
We pray to the Lord.
For runaway children. May we reach out to the next generation who are exhasted from stress and worry. May we comfort our youth with faith and light.
We pray to the Lord.
For people who are confused about their illness or disease. May we all find adequate healthcare. May God provide sufficient healing for our sores and our souls.
We pray to the Lord.
For people who survive mental anguish. May all who live with emotional abuse find healing and comfort in Christ Jesus.
We pray to the Lord.
For our beloved dead. May all who have died now rest in God’s Kingdom of forgiveness and peace.
For Leo, our Pope. May all religious leaders seek Christ to lift people surviving poverty into hope, the hungry into contentment, and the despairing into joy.
We pray to the Lord
For a generative peace in every land and nation. May God sustain justice for the oppressed and bring reconciliation among people we consider our enemies.
We pray to the Lord.
For people who seek shelter from the cold and severe weather. May the vulnerable be offered warmth and protection. May families know God’s warmth and generosity for all people.
We pray to the Lord.
For humility in our lives of prayer. May God listen to our weariness and our need for meaning in our tired world. May God continue to hear the cries of the poor.
We pray to the Lord.
For people who cannot support their families. May all families find adequate employment. May we reach out to people in need of healthcare, insurance and adequate housing.
We pray to the Lord.
For people who live with mental anguish. May God heal us who suffer mental illness and depression. May we support our loved ones who have suffered trauma and misfortune.
We pray to the Lord.
For people who live with constant regret about the past. May God bring us true freedom in our daily lives. May Christ heal all that hinders us from joy.
We pray to the Lord.
For our elderly and ill and those who care for them. May we recognize the dignity of all human life. May God support our loved ones in times of need. May the meek find healing and hope.
We pray to the Lord.
For all who have died. May our loved ones find new life in heaven and rest in Christ for all eternity.
A Holy Cross: From the Series, Cross-Fire by Ronald Raab, CSC
The Third Sunday in Ordinary Time
January 25, 2026
For Leo, our Pope. May God inspire faith leaders to offer hope and love to all worshipping communities. May harmony be among us all.
We pray to the Lord.
For people who suffer war, conflict and national violence. May peace be known in our day and in every city and nation under heaven. May those who walk in darkness find the light of Christ Jesus.
We pray to the Lord.
For all political leaders. May they return to the beauty of human dignity and help communities heal. May hope be upon the lips of people who lead us.
We pray to the Lord.
For us who struggle to follow Christ Jesus. May our call become clear as we surrender to the gift of faith. May we serve people from the love of Christ Jesus.
We pray to the Lord.
For people who struggle to find hope for the future. May our lives settle into the love that God has for us. May we live and thrive in Christ’s peace all our days.
We pray to the Lord.
For our youth who struggle with emotional anguish. May our young find peace in daily life. May every family under heaven know contentment and support.
We pray to the Lord.
For our elders who cry themselves to sleep at night. May we all find solace in the love of God. May every human being find courage in life and people to provide for their daily needs.
We pray to the Lord.
For all who grieve in the darkness of doubt and loss. May Christ open the hearts of people who struggle with loss. May hope be born among us in times of discouragement.
We pray to the Lord.
For our beloved dead. May our loved ones find peace in the glory of heaven. May they now see the face of Jesus Christ for all eternity.
Bend down, O Christ, and tend our wounds. Take us by the hand and lift us up. Your words and authority redeem and heal us. You offered Simon’s mother-in-law the grace of attentiveness. May your presence in the Eucharist continue to feed and heal us. Count us among those who seek you. Help us claim you in our silence. May our self-sufficiency give way to complete surrender of our hearts in the beauty of your merciful and tender love. Amen.
This prayer is published by FaithND, based on Mark 1:29-39. Grateful for the opportunity to compose this text for FaithND.
Broken But Not Divided 