[MajestyJo]

August 17

1 When Pope John Paul II visited Britain in
1982 he focussed on each of the Sacraments
in turn. During his visit to York,
couples were invited to renew their marriage
vows. We’ll base our prayer today
on themes in his sermon at that time:
2 Let us pray for people who are married,
that they may make choices to live sincerely
and in compassion, in gentleness
and patience, bearing with one another
and forgiving one another. In these ways
may their relationships grow and develop,
and so may they remain faithful
to each other in good times and bad.
Lord, in your mercy - hear our prayer.
3 Marriage is a sign of God’s faithful and
unbroken love. Let us pray that families
may share in God’s love, and grow as
communities where young people are
guided to maturity.
Lord, in your mercy - hear our prayer.

4 Let us pray that families may be generous
in extending their love to lonely and
burdened people locally, and to those
who are on the margins of society.
Lord, in your mercy - hear our prayer.
5 We pray for those who know the pain of
failure in marriage. We pray for those
who know the loneliness of bringing up
a family on their own. We pray for those
whose family life is dominated by tragedy,
or by illness of mind or body.
Lord, in your mercy - hear our prayer.
6 We see many damaged relationships
around us. We ask for the gift of being
able to build bridges between people.
Lord, in your mercy - hear our prayer.