BIDDING PRAYERS
PRIEST
As we pray to the Lord with sorrow and humility for our sins, let us ask for the graces necessary to forgive from our hearts, those who offend us.
READER
Let us pray for the Church in her mission of reconciliation and forgiveness: may she continually teach, preach, and practice forgiveness of one another, taking example from the Lord Jesus himself: (pause) … Lord hear us.
We pray for harmony and forgiveness among nations: let them learn to put past victories or defeats which resulted in unjust treaties firmly behind them. May they build for the future in mutual trust and harmony: (pause) … Lord hear us.
Let us remember those people hoping for a new start in life: may those with important decisions to make always turn to the Lord for advice, help and guidance while thinking through the options available to them: (pause) … Lord hear us.
Let us pray for an ever-greater spirit of forgiveness within the community: let our sign of peace at the Eucharist reflect the forgiveness we experience as members of the family whom the Lord himself forgives of their failings: (pause) … Lord hear us.
We pray with Mary, Mother of mercy, as we say: Hail Mary … etc.
We make our own prayers in silence for a moment or two.
PRIEST
God our Father, we pray that you will accept our sorrow for our sins and that you will teach us how to forgive others as you have forgiven us. We make our prayer through Christ our Lord. Amen.
24th Sunday in Ordinary Time – Year A