Dearest Lord, in our time, grant your peace to those peoples whose lives have been upended by war, oppression, hunger, and natural disasters Be especially with all migrant peoples as they seek safety for themselves and their children; with the people of Afghanistan, who face famine this winter; and with the Tongan people whose homes have been destroyed by a volcanic eruption.

In your precious name, we pray.

Dearest Lord, we ask that you will touch our mouths that we shall know how to speak your words of love to our families, friends, neighbors, and fellow citizens. Teach us to walk in love, that your church might be an example of love in the world. Be with our priests, Berto and Hugh, as they guide us in the ways of love.

In your precious name, we pray.

Dearest Lord, you have taught us that love is kind, love is patient, love is not envious, boastful or rude; love does not insist on its own way and is not irritable or resentful; love does not rejoice in wrongdoing, but rejoices in the truth. Help us, the citizens and leaders of the United States, to be this love in both in both the our present days and as we plan for future generations.

In your precious name, we pray.

Dearest Lord, you have also taught us that love never ends. In the dark times, especially, help us to love our neighbors who suffer homelessness, hunger, and sickness as we face the continuing challenges of the pandemic and income inequality.

In your precious name, we pray.

Dearest Lord, even as we suffer with uncertainty, we see signs of the coming spring. Leaves burst from the ground, birds sing of longer days. Thank you for the blessings of nature, for the promise of light and warmth to come. Help us to care for the natural world with hearts full of tenderness and awe.

In your precious name we pray.

Dearest Lord, in your love we can bear all things, believe all things, hope all things, endure all things. Be with those who suffer injury, illness, fear, anxiety, anger, sadness, and confusion. Be with those who have passed from this life and those families and friends who grieve them. Be with the friends and family members we now name, silently and aloud (pause), including those on our parish prayer list… … and those for whom no one prays, may they be comforted by your Holy Spirit.

In your precious name we pray.