Prayers

PRAYER TO OUR LADY OF GOOD COUNSEL
God of heavenly wisdom,
You have given us Mary, Mother of Jesus,
to be our guide and counselor,
grant that we may always seek her motherly help
in this life and so enjoy her blessed presence
in the life to come.

O Mother of Good Counsel,
Patroness of the National Council of Catholic Women, intercede for us,
that we may be wise, courageous,
and loving leaders of the Church.
Help us, dear Mother, to know the mind of Jesus,
your Son. May the Holy Spirit fill us with a reverence
of God’s Creation and compassion
for all God’s children.
May our labors of Love on earth enhance
the reign of God;
and may God’s gifts of Faith and living Hope
prepare us for the fullness of the world to come.

Amen.

PRAYER FOR VOCATIONS
Lord Jesus, life is Your gift to us. 
Through Baptism You invite us to
share the gift of our lives in service to others.
Give us the courage and generosity
to respond to Your call.

Through the Eucharist You fill us with Your
life-giving presence and strengthen us in holiness.
Give us the grace to make our efforts in Your service fruitful in Your kingdom.

Through Confirmation You seal us
with the gifts of the Holy Spirit and send us forth.
Give us the strength to proclaim Your Word
and make known Your Will to all the world.

Open our hearts to Your service and
move the hearts of men and women to follow You as Priests, Sisters and Brothers.

Help parents and teachers to share their
Catholic faith and to encourage our young people
to explore religious vocations.

Guide all people, Lord, in Your ways
of compassion, truth, and peace,
that we may find joy
in fulfilling our vocation.

Amen.
 

PRAYER FOR AN END TO HUMAN TRAFFICKING
Oh God, we didn’t see them.
But you did-
The hundreds and thousands of human beings Trafficked each year to join the millions who are  trapped in modern-day slavery.
Under terrible conditions, they work in factories, plow fields, harvest crops, work quarries, fill brothels, clean homes, and haul water.

Many are children with tiny fingers for weaving rugs and small shoulders for bearing rifles.
Their labor is forced, their bodies beaten, their faces hidden from those who don’t really want to see them.

But you see them all, God of the poor.
You hear their cry and you answer
by opening our eyes, and breaking our hearts
and loosening our tongues to insist:

No mas. No more.
Amen

– by CATHOLIC RELIEF SERVICES
 

THE CROSS IN MY POCKET
I carry a cross in my pocket
A simple reminder to me
Of the fact that I am a Christian
No matter where I may be.

This little cross is not magic
Nor is it a good luck charm
It isn’t meant to protect me
From every physical harm.

It’s not for identification
For all the world to see
It’s simply an understanding
Between my savior and me.

When I put my hand in my pocket
To bring out a coin or key
The cross is there to remind me
Of the price He paid for us.

It reminds me, too, to be thankful
For my blessings day by day
And to strive to serve Him better
In all that I do and say.

It’s also a daily reminder
of the peace and comfort I share
With all who know my Master
And give themselves to His care.

So I carry a cross in my pocket
Reminding no one but me
That Jesus Christ is Lord of my life
If only I’ll just let Him be.