Petitions/Prayer of the Faithful for July 24, 2016

I've been out of town without a computer for much of the last month and thus unable to post Ellen McHugh's weekly petitions. Here's what she has written for tomorrow's mass. 

Prayer of the Faithful for July 24th, 2016

17th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Celebrant: As people of faith, we pray now for ourselves and for all those throughout the world who are in need of God’s generous mercy.

For the universal Church; for Francis our pope, our bishops, priests and deacons; for all those who live the Gospel message with courage, constancy and love—strengthen them with the gifts of your Spirit. We pray to the Lord.

For world leaders and for the whole human family. May our recognition of the dignity of all mankind lead us to mutual understanding and peace. We pray to the Lord.

For the most vulnerable among us, for those who feel abandoned or hopeless; for the sick of our parish and for their caregivers; for all those who respond with compassion to the needs of those suffering. We pray to the Lord.

For a renewed commitment to our prayer lives. As we pray, open our minds and our hearts; help us to trust in you, to be open to your Spirit. We pray to the Lord.

In this coming week dedicated to Natural Family Planning, we pray for married couples and for those who serve in this ministry. May all married couples bear witness to you and may they recognize, in the gift of children, your infinite grace and blessing. We pray to the Lord.

For the gift of family; for your blessing as we gather today as one family. Strengthen our commitment to serve you. Grant us all things necessary for our common life, and bring us all to be of one heart and mind within your holy Church. We pray to the Lord.

And for those for whom this Mass is offered [name them]. We pray to the Lord.

Let us pause now and silently offer to the Father our own particular intentions [allow for silence. . .]. We pray to the Lord.

Celebrant: Merciful God, through the power of your Spirit, shape us to be for others what Jesus is for us: pardon and peace, new life and blessing. We ask this in the name of your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.

My own special petition: for mothers giving birth to babies during this hot summer. Let the babies be born healthy into loving families, and let the mothers be healthy and happy during the birthing. Let us pray to the Lord.