Prayers
A Prayer
Listen, God, to my prayer;
Do not hide from my pleading;
Hear me and give answer.
If an enemy had reviled me,
That I could bear;
If my foe had viewed me with contempt,
From that I could hide.
But it was you, my other self,
My comrade and friend,
You, whose company I enjoyed,
At whose side I walked
In procession in the house of God.
But I will call upon God,
And the LORD will save me.
At dusk, dawn, and noon
I will grieve and complain,
And my prayer will be heard.
(Psalms 55: 2-3, 13-15, 17-18)
Prayer to St. Rita of Cascia
Patron Saint of Impossible Cases, Abuse Victims and Difficult Marriages
Saint Rita, messenger of peace and herald of reconciliation.
Despite hardship and suffering, you lived the Gospel message
of compassion and forgiveness, and showed the power of love
to conquer hatred, and to establish harmony.
Help us to follow your example, and to be instruments of Christ’s peace.
Pray that our hearts may be always open, and our arms extended to pardon those who do wrong, and even to embrace with mercy those who inflict injury.
Pray that God may use our humble gestures to touch hearts and to sow peace.
Amen.
Prayer to End Domestic Violence
Spirit of God, through your unconditional love
Made manifest in Jesus of Nazareth,
You showed us how to manifest love, care and respect
In our relationships.
We confess that, even in this faith community,
Many women, children and some men are beaten
And abused – verbally, emotionally and sexually –
By those who claim to love them.
We pledge to be more caring in our personal relationships;
And, we pledge our faith community to be a safe haven
For those who are battered,
A support for abusers sincerely seeking help,
And an advocate for nonviolence in the world.
Help us to be signs of your unconditional love in the world.
In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, Amen.
A Prayer for Healing Victims of Abuse
God of endless love,
Ever caring, ever strong,
Always present, always just:
You gave your only Son
To save us by the blood of his cross.
Gentle Jesus, shepherd of peace,
Join to your own suffering
The pain of all who have been hurt
In body, mind, and spirit
By those who betrayed the trust placed in them.
Hear our cries as we agonize
Over the harm done to our brothers and sisters.
Breathe wisdom into our prayers,
Soothe restless hearts with hope,
Steady shaken spirits with faith:
Show us the way to justice and wholeness,
Enlightened by truth and enfolded in your mercy.
Holy Spirit, comforter of hearts,
Heal your people’s wounds
And transform our brokenness.
Grant us courage and wisdom, humility and grace,
So that we may act with justice
And find peace in you.
We ask this through Christ, our Lord. Amen
Prayer For Women’s Concerns
O God, our world at times is divided and hostile.
Some people consider themselves dominant over others based on gender, race, color, class or status.
Through your Son’s cross our world can be reconciled and the walls of hostility can be broken.
We pray for all women who experience the pain and suffering of violence, that they may feel your healing touch and be at peace in your loving embrace.
We pray for those who victimize and abuse others, that they may see the errors of their sins and seek repentance.
Through the intercession of Our Lady of Good Counsel, may we understand and support those who may come to us for help.
We ask these things through your Son, Jesus Christ.
Amen.
Prayer to St. Germaine
Patron Saint of Abused Children
O Saint Germaine, look down from Heaven and intercede for the many abused children in our world.
Help them to sanctify these sufferings.
Strengthen children who suffer the effects of living in broken families. Protect those children who have been abandoned by their parents and live in the streets.
Beg God’s mercy on the parents who abuse their children.
Intercede for handicapped children and their parents.
Saint Germaine, you who suffered neglect and abuse so patiently, pray for us.
Amen.