Prayers of the Faithful

From "Breaking Bread for Healing and Change"
By Diann L. Neu
Submitted by the Sisters of St. Joseph

Person One: Filled with the challenges and visions of this time in our church we pray: Come, Holy Spirit, Healing Wisdom, Regenerative Source.
All: Renew the face of the church.

Person Two: We ask You to bless us, Your priestly people, who, in the cry of the people and in the word of the community, are called to break bread for healing and change. Pour out Your Spirit upon us that we may see visions, dream dreams, break bread, and do justice. We pray:
All: Renew the face of the church.

Person One: Give Your Spirit, Holy Wisdom, to women and men, boys and girls surviving from clergy sexual abuse, that they may feel supported, stand up to the powers and principalities of the church, ask for what is rightfully theirs, refuse to be silent or disappear, and experience healing. We pray:
All: Renew the face of the church.

Person Two: Give Your Spirit, Holy Wisdom, to cardinals, bishops, priests, ministers, pastoral counselors, supervisors, seminary professors and church representatives who have sexually exploited the faithful, that they may recognize the harm they have done, seek help, ask for forgiveness, and offer restitution. We pray:
All: Renew the face of the church.

Person One: Give Your Spirit, Holy Wisdom, to church decision-makers, bishops, parish councils, and others, that they may walk with truth-tellers. We pray:
All: Renew the face of the church.

Person Two: When the bread is not enough, when our hope is dim, when our energies are frazzled, refresh us with Your Spirit. We pray:
All: Renew the face of the church.

Previous Prayers:
A Wish at Rosh Hashanah