Loving Father, we look to the Virgin Mary today to be inspired by her devotion and commitment to you. Give us the confidence and courage to be faithful even through times of difficulty and despair. Hear our prayers we bring before you.
We pray for the value and meaning of growing old and recall that serene faith and trust in Christ’s promise in the autumn of life can offer fruitful witness to the Gospel.
We pray that foreign ministers from the G7 group of nations force Russia to hand back control of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant to Ukraine. We pray for those caught up in the shelling, may they find safe shelter.
Since the Taliban took control of Afghanistan a year ago, we pray for the many children that are currently suffering, hungry and isolated.
With the UK experiencing extreme heat, we pray that the wildfire and drought situation will be kept at bay.
As our health service faces a surge in admissions due to the extreme heat, we pray for all those working in difficult, labour-intensive conditions.
With many struggling and worrying about financial insecurity, we pray that those needing the most help receive all they need to survive and thrive.
We pray for a moment for our own personal petitions…
Dear God, help us to see the best in ourselves and others. Help us to be living beacons of Christian values and virtues, inspiring all we meet. Amen.