Early in the new month of August,/ we pray for the health and joy of those who celebrate birthdays,/ anniversaries and other days of remembrance./ For the safety of summer travelers and vacationers./ We pray to the Lord.
Pope Francis has returned to Rome from his Penitential Pilgrimage to Canada./ As with the priest sex abuse scandal,/ there is much work to be done beyond saying, "I'm sorry."/ May the work of healing and reconciliation be spirit blessed./ Through it all, may the church learn humility,/ compassion and God's wisdom./ We pray to the Lord.
Sometimes there is too little or no rain and the living things die./ At other times there is too much rain and floods bring destruction and death./ We pray for a world that is often out of balance./ And for ourselves,/ born a second time in Baptism water;/ may we be truly alive in learning the mind of Christ./ We pray to the Lord.
August begins remembering the 1945 bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki./ There are Japanese persons who are still alive/ having struggled with injury and trauma ever since./ What marvelous things human beings can do — witness the pictures sent back from space by the Webb telescope./ May we learn to live on this planet peacefully,/ in solidarity with each other as God's children./ We pray to the Lord.
The terrible and sad invasion of Ukraine drags on./ And around the globe,/ other awful wars are taking place of which we are unaware./ May those who create wars learn God's good sense/ and be healed of greed,/ power quest/ and even insanity./ We pray to the Lord.
We pray for our own families where there is sickness,/ wound,/ resentment,/ fracture,/ money or emotional trouble./ Bless the children of our families,/ and children and young people everywhere./ We pray to the Lord.
