Prayer Intentions 2019

And you are helping us by praying for us.

Then many people will give thanks because God has graciously answered so many prayers for our safety

(2Cor 1:11. NLT 2011)

"Prayer in my opinion is nothing else than an intimate sharing between friends; it means taking time frequently to be alone with Him who we know loves us."
- St Teresa of Avila

"If the only prayer you ever say in your entire life is thank you, it will be enough."
- Mesiter Eckhart

“Prayer is not an old woman's idle amusement. Properly understood and applied, it is the most potent instrument of action.”
― Mahatma Gandhi  

“For me, prayer is a surge of the heart; it is a simple look turned toward heaven, it is a cry of recognition and of love, embracing both trial and joy.”
― Thérèse de Lisieux

We are asking our readers and listeners - especially those who are house bound or unable to get to Mass on a regular basis - would they consider taking on a prayer intention for the year from one of the following list - would they help us "plug into the power of prayer"?

We have also suggested a celestial guide whose assistance and intercession could be sought for the intention.

• Protection of the Unborn - St. Joseph, Our Lady of Guadalupe and St. Gianna Beretta Molla

• Persecuted Christians especially in the Middle East - St Stephen, the Martyrs of Uganda, the Martyrs of Vietnam, St Michael the Archangel

• Religious and all those in consecrated life - Our Lady

• Support of Marriage and family life - The Holy Family, St Rita of Casica

• Those suffering from addiction - St Monica, Venerable Matt Talbot

• Peace - Our Lady of Knock Queen of Peace, St. Francis of Assisi and the Child of Prague

• Government and civil leaders - St. Thomas Moore and/or St. Jude

• Cancer patients - St. Peregrine

• The sick - Our Lady of Lourdes and St. Camillus

• The unemployed and those seeking work - St. Joseph the Worker

• Those who are homeless whether due to illness, war etc - St Benedict Joseph Labre and St Margaret of Cortona

• Emigrants & Refugees - St. Patrick, the Holy Family

• Vocations - St. Alphonsus Ligouri

• Priests - St. John Vianney & St Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows

• Pope Francis - St Peter, St Francis of Assisi, St Ignatius of Loyola, St George

• Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI - St. Benedict and St. Joseph

• The Church - St. Michael the Archangel

• Youth - St. John Bosco, St. Francesco and St. Jacinta (Seers of Fatima) and Blessed Pier Georgio Frassati

• If you have various health problems keep this list of saints close by.

Your parish might find this a good ministry to offer to the housebound, the sick or those who are open to being in a prayer circle. If the clergy and parish pastoral council feel this is a useful idea for 2019, you might proceed like this:

• Create a list like this which represents the real needs of your parish.
• Put this information on a small sheet of paper, with a suggested prayer & contact person.
• Then invite parishioners to sign up (How: by contacting someone? by signing a book? do they need to choose one intention or all?)
• Ensure that this is not simply offered at Sunday Mass, but also include all those who receive Holy Communion in their homes - they are full members of our communion and a blessing too.
• Mention the prayer intentions in parish notices/ noticeboard/ newsletter across the year.
• Celebrate the ministry with a thank you note at Christmas.