Prayers for Our Priests
Posted on: June 29, 2015
- In: Everyday Life | Faith | Prayer
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“For the lips of a priest should guard knowledge, and men should seek instruction from his mouth, for he is the messenger of the LORD of hosts.”
~ Malachi 2:7*
Our parish priest, soon to mark the anniversary of his ordination, asked us to say an Our Father, a Hail Mary and a Glory Be for him on that day so that he would continue to be a good priest.
That got me wondering: do we think about the prayer needs of priests? And do we pray for them?
Long before the always-connected age we live in, priests have been on call 24/7. When not saying Mass, they’re writing homilies, meeting with parishioners to prepare for weddings and baptisms, presiding at weddings and funerals, ministering to the sick and the dying, and taking care of parish business. Priests need us to pray that they’ll have the energy, strength and wisdom to carry out their parish responsibilities and that God will call parishioners they can depend on to help with parish duties, outreach and various roles at Mass.
Since they’re only human, priests may have times where they question their vocation or feel as though they’re in a spiritual desert. They may struggle with burnout, depression or addiction as they deal with the demands of their work. Priests need us to pray that they’ll have time to spend in prayer and spiritual reading and to take a vacation or staycation for their mental, physical and spiritual refreshment and renewal—and that they’ll seek counselling if they need it.
Priests may be sent to minister in parishes far from home—in another diocese, or even in another country. Their families may be distant geographically but never so far away they don’t worry about and miss them. Priests need us to pray for the health and safety of their families.
Our parish priests need our prayers, even though they may not ask for them. This week, may we take a moment to bring their needs before God during our prayer time.
Lord, bless the priest who baptized me,
the priests who guided me in the sacrament of penance,
the priests who celebrated the Eucharist with me,
the priests who taught me,
the priests who prayed for me,
the priests who helped me when I was in need.
Jesus, High Priest, call many more men to become priests to minister to us and show us your face.
~ “Prayer for Priests,” The Confirmed Catholic’s Companion: A Guide to Abundant Living by Mary Kathleen Glavich, SND
(*Scripture quote taken from the Holy Bible, Revised Standard Version, Second Catholic Edition.)
A Catholic Convert in Ottawa 