Lord, we pray.....

Lord, you said that when two or three gather in your name, you are there amongst them.  Whether we are praying at our computers at home or in work we know that we are united with many other individuals throughout the world, who are gathered together united in prayer to you this day.  As Vincentians we are inspired by the lives and work of St. Vincent de Paul, St. Louise de Marillac and Blessed Frederic Ozanam.   St. Vincent said - 'give me persons of prayer and they are capable of anything'  

Here we present three simple prayers with icons of the saints.  In each icon you will notice that each of them is shown engaged in charitable missionary work.  Thus Vincent is bringing food, loaves of bread, Louise is bringing towels and water to care for the sick and Frederic is bringing clothing.   We pray that through these icons, we may listen to Christ, to see him and recognise him in all whom we meet and to express his love in whatever way he calls.   

A Prayer to St. Vincent de Paul

Saint Vincent, loving servant of the poor we come to you in our need, 
believing that you hear us, confident in your help.
May the fire of Christ's love Kindled by the Holy Spirit in you
Become the flame of zeal in our lives 
That we may bring freedom to captives
Healing to the broken hearted
The good news of Christ to the poor.

Teach us, Holy Servant of Christ how we should love the poor and
cherish in them the presence of Jesus.



A Prayer to Blessed Frederic Ozanam

Lord, we thank you for inspiring Blessed Frederic Ozanam 
to establish the Society of St. Vincent de Paul.
Help us to follow his dream of 'embracing the 
whole world in a network of love'
by bringing support and friendship to those we visit:
by helping them achieve self sufficiency and in solidarity to advocate and work for the changes required to create a more just and caring society.

We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen

A Prayer to St. Louise de Marillac

God our Father, the source and reward of love,
through your Son who became man you gave the new
commandment of love to your Church.
May we follow the example of St. Louise;
and by practicing your love on earth 
may we obtain the kingdom promised to your people who are faithful.


We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, now and forever. 

Grant me to recognise in others Lord God, 
the radiance of your face

For more prayer sites on line check out the prayer links at 

www.sacredspace.ie
Set up in 1999 at the beginning of Lent by the Irish Jesuits, Sacred Space is a site which guides you gently through a series of reflections, centred around a passage of scripture, updated daily. You can just take ten minutes out of your schedule to follow this prayer, which thousands of people from all over the world are using every day.

www.prayingeachday.org 
wonderful prayer site of the De LaSalle Brothers with lots of links to other prayer resources.

Lord, teach us how to pray
excellent site with prayers for everday use, seasonal ideas, on line retreats, 
prayers for young children

Lectio Divinia - Sacred Reading

Evening Prayer for the Feast of St. Vincent

Prayer at the Icon of the Baptism of Christ

Prayers for Healing from our monthly Healing Service
(1st Tuesday of each month)

Loving God, you share with us the care of creation
and call each of us by name.
We remember that those who encountered Jesus found acceptance,
healing and the possibility of new life;
that the disciples, though imperfect human beings,
through prayer and touch
helped others to find healing in the power of your Holy Spirit:
And so in the name of the Triune God, we pray:
 

Loving God,

we hold in your healing presence those who suffer pain and ill - health, with their families, friends and those who care for them:…

May they know the deep peace of Christ.

Loving God,

we hold in your healing presence the suffering people of our world, and 

the places where people are experiencing division, injustice and violence…

May they know the deep peace of Christ.

Loving God,

we hold in your healing presence those struggling to overcome  addiction or abuse, those supporting and working with them, and all whose suffering has distanced them from those who love…..

May they know the deep peace of Christ.
 

 Loving God,

we hold in your healing presence those facing bereavement.  We also pray for those who have died……

May they know the deep peace of Christ.

Loving God,

we give you thanks for health restored and prayers answered.  We hold in your healing presence and peace those whose needs are not known to us… And for those whose names we do not know, but who are known to you, and for whom we have been asked to pray.  And we name in our hearts those who are close to us.

May they know the deep peace of Christ.

Loving God,

we hold in your healing presence, your church and all Christian communities.  We pray for mercy and healing for our Pope, our Cardinal, Bishops Priests and all religious.   Give your grace to those who faithfully serve you and heal the wounds and memories in relationships of your people who experienced hurt injustice and abuse.

May they know the deep peace of Christ

Loving God,

May your wisdom guide nurses, doctors, social and welfare workers, and those who work in every part of our Health service across the world.  We pray also for those who work in the Coastguard, Rescue and  Emergency Services. 

May they know the deep peace of Christ.

Closing Intercessory Prayer:

God of Compassion and love,
We offer you all our suffering and pain.
Give us strength to bear our weakness, healing even when there is no cure, peace in the midst of turmoil and love to fill the spaces in our lives.

Glory to God, from whom all love flows,

Glory to Jesus, who showed His love

through suffering.
And Glory to the Holy Spirit who brings light to the darkest places.

Amen

Final Blessing

Watch now, dear Lord, with those who wake or watch or weep tonight
And give your angels charge over those who sleep.
Tend your sick ones, O 'Lord Christ,

Rest your weary ones,

Bless your dying ones,
Soothe your suffering ones,

Pity your afflicted ones,
shield your joyous ones,
and for all love's sake
Amen.

May the God of hope fill us with all joy and peace in believing, that we may abound in the hope in the power of the Holy Spirit.

Acknowledgment - these prayers are adapted with kind permission from the Worship Book of the Iona Community. 

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