Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time (A) August 2nd, 2020

May the Lord awaken in us our need of him and make us hungry and thirsty for him, both as individuals and as the Church of God. Let no other issues side-track us from seeking him, and may he increase our love and compassion so that we long to serve out his love to the world around us.

May the Lord allow our world to see the true value of things, so that the worthless and dangerous is unmasked and real needs acknowledged. May he guide our leaders in wisdom and integrity, and enable us all to co-operate in proper care and stewardship of the world’s resources.

As we eat our food this week, may the Lord remind us of his spiritual feeding. May the meals we prepared and eat together be opportunities for drawing closer to one another and to him.

We pray for all who need medical treatment or are waiting in pain for surgery. We pray for those who have become addicted and long to be set free. We pray for all whose wrong choices have ended in heartache, disillusion and despair.

May the Lord welcome into eternity all who have spent their lives coming to him and now come to be with him for ever. May he have mercy on all those approaching death who do not know him but reject what they imagine him to be. May they respond to the true and living God and know his love for ever.