Prayers

Vocational Prayers

Prayer for Priests in the Year of the Priest

Lord Jesus, as each day dawns in the North; be with our priests.

As they strive to be prayerful Be with our Priests

As they comfort those who mourn Be with our Priests

As they visit the sick and dying Be with our Priests

As they strive to be faithful Be with our Priests

As they baptise the new-born Be with our Priests

As they struggle with isolation Be with our Priests

As they pause in prayer Be with our Priests

As they endure fatigue Be with our Priests

As they travel vast distances Be with our Priests

As they share in others' joy Be with our Priests

As they listen to others' sadness Be with our Priests

As they share in your peace Be with our Priests

As they share their happiness Be with our Priests

As they cope with ill-health Be with our Priests

As they share the Good News Be with our Priests

As the endure difficult days Be with our Priests

As they settle in new places Be with our Priests

As they share your love Be with our Priests

As they live your Word Be with our Priests

As the sun sets over city, town, farm, mine and station,

May they experience your life and remain always in your presence.

Amen

St John Vianney, pray for them

Prayer for Discernment

God our Father,
You have a plan for each one of us,
You hold out to us a future full of hope.
Give us the wisdom of your Spirit
so that we can see the shape of your plan
in the gifts you have given us,
and in the circumstances of our daily lives.
Give us the freedom of your Spirit,
to seek you with all our hearts,
and to choose your will above all else.
We make this prayer through Christ our Lord.

(DVC- Based on Jeremiah 29:11-13)

Prayer of Thomas Merton

My Lord God, I have no idea where I am going.
I do not see the road ahead of me.
Nor do I really know myself.
And the fact that I think I am following your will
Does not mean that I am actually doing so.

But I believe that the desire to please you
Does in fact please you.

And I hope that I will never do anything apart from that desire.
And I know that if I do this,
You will lead me by the right road
Though I may know nothing about it.

Therefore I will trust you always
Though I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death
I will not fear for you are ever with me.
And you will never leave me to face my struggles alone.

Prayer of St. Ignatius

Dearest Jesus,

Teach me to be generous
Teach me to love and serve you as you deserve,
To give and not to count the cost,
To fight and not to heed the wounds,
To toil and not to seek for rest
To labour and to look for no reward,
Except that of knowing that I do your Holy Will.

Amen

Prayer to Our Lady for Vocations

Most holy Virgin,

who without hesitation

offered yourself to the Almighty
for the carrying out of his plan of salvation,
pour trust into the hearts of young people
so that there may always be zealous pastors
who are able to guide the Christian people on the way of life,
and consecrated souls who may know how to witness,
in chastity, poverty, and obedience,
to the freeing presence of your risen Son.
Amen.

(Pope John Paul II , Message for Vocations Sunday 2001)

Vocation Prayer for Parents

Loving God, you have given us the privilege as well as the responsibility of being loving parents. In the name of Jesus, we ask you to guide us as we invite our children to hear your call to service and leadership in our church.

May our children respond with deep faith and generosity to the needs of God's people. Help us to be a source of encouragement to our children by our own desire to be commited people who serve with love and enthusiasm.

(NRVC - Australia)

Prayer to the Lord of the Harvest

Lord Jesus, you said to your disciples "the harvest indeed is great but the labourers are few. Pray, therefore the Lord of the harvest to send labourers into his harvest." We ask that we may know and follow the vocation to which you have called us.

We pray particularly for those called to serve as priests, brothers and sisters; those whom you have called, those you are calling now, and those you will call in the future. May they be open and responsive to the call of serving your people. We ask this through Christ, our Lord.

Amen.

(Diocese of Kerry- Adapted )

Prayer for Discernment (2)

Lord, I know that you love me and that you have great plans for me. But sometimes I am overwhelmed by the thought of my future. Show me how to walk forward one day at a time.

As I explore the various options which lie before me, help me to listen openly to others, and to pay attention to what is in the depth of my own heart. In this way, may I hear your call to a way of life which will allow me to love as only I can, and allow me to serve others with the special gifts you have given me.

Amen.

Prayer for Discernment (3)

Heavenly Father,
You love me and you call me every moment of my life.
You have a plan for me,
a plan that will help me grace the world
in the unique way that only I can.
Send your Spirit into my heart and mind.
Enlighten me with your wisdom
that I may come to know today
where you are calling me in life.
Give me the strength today
to answer that call
and inspire others to help me.
I make this prayer
through Christ Our Lord.

Amen.

Prayer for Vocations to the Priesthood

Lord Jesus,

Who in your pilgrimage along the roads of Palestine, chose and called the apostles and entrusted to them their task of preaching the Gospel, feeding the faithful and celebrating divine worship, ensure that today, too, your Church may not lack numerous holy priests, who can bring to all the fruits of your death and resurrection.

Amen

(Pope John Paul II , Message for Vocations Sunday 2001)

Prayer for Vocations

Good and gracious God,
you have called us through baptism to
discipleship with your Son, Jesus Christ,
and you have sent us to bring the Good News
of salvation to all peoples.

We pray that you grant more priests and
religious to build up your Church here
within the Archdiocese of Dublin.
Inspire men and women to give
themselves totally to the work of Christ
and His Church.

Together may we seek the face of Christ
In the poor, the marginalised, the forgotten,
that they may know the wonders of your love.
We ask this through Christ Our Lord.

Amen

Prayer of Pope John XXIII

O Jesus, send labourers into your fields, which are awaiting holy apostles, saintly priests, heroic missionaries and dedicated sisters and brothers. Enkindle in the hearts of men and women the spark of a vocation. Grant that Christian families may desire to give to your church, helpers in the work of tomorrow.

Amen.

(Pope John XIII - SJYPS)

Prayer for a Generous Heart

Father in Heaven,

You have blessed us with many gifts.
You chose us before the world began,
To be your adopted sons and daughters,
And to live through love in your presence.
Give us wisdom and insight to know your purpose;
Give us courage to follow where your Spirit leads us,
Give us generosity to serve you in our brothers and sisters.
We make this prayer through Christ our Lord

Amen

(DVC - Based on Ephesians 1:3 ff.)

Intercession for Young People

For those who are coming to the end of their full-time education, in school or at third-level colleges. Help them to listen attentively to your word. Help them to make wise decisions for their future, which are inspired by faith in you. Help each of us, at whatever stage in life, to be open to what you are calling us to do and to be. Lord hear us.

Intercession for Vocations

We ask you Lord, in this generation as in the past, to bless your Church with men and women of vision and imagination, who will be ready to be consecrate their lives publicly to your service and to the service of others, in the priesthood and in the religious life. Lord hear us.