Prayers of the Faithful help

[AussieAnn]

Hi All and God Bless. I need some help, ideas and if possible mabye some useful links to help guide me. My Priest has asked me to help with with writing/preparing Prayers of the Faithful rather than just copying it out of a book like we do now. He provided me with the following reference but I was wondering if anyone had any usefuls ideas -like are there specific things to pray for on a week by week basis, how do you go about even starting this task and doing it justice? I hope you know what I'm getting at. I tend to get writers block and I'm worried about how I will think up special prayers each week. Here is what he gave me from the Roman Missal, but it is pretty general guideline. Any more specific help would be appreciated. Thanks.
From the General Instruction of the Roman Missal

The Prayer of the Faithful
69. In the Prayer of the Faithful, the people respond in a certain way to the word of God which they have welcomed in faith and, exercising the office of their baptismal priesthood, offer prayers to God for the salvation of all. It is fitting that such a prayer be included, as a rule, in Masses celebrated with a congregation, so that petitions will be offered for the holy Church, for civil authorities, for those weighed down by various needs, for all men and women, and for the salvation of the whole world.

70. As a rule, the series of intentions is to be

For the needs of the Church;
For public authorities and the salvation of the whole world;
For those burdened by any kind of difficulty;
For the local community.
Nevertheless, in a particular celebration, such as Confirmation, Marriage, or a Funeral, the series of intentions may reflect more closely the particular occasion.

71. It is for the priest celebrant to direct this prayer from the chair. He himself begins it with a brief introduction, by which he invites the faithful to pray, and likewise he concludes it with a prayer. The intentions announced should be sober, be composed freely but prudently, and be succinct, and they should express the prayer of the entire community.

The intentions are announced from the ambo or from another suitable place, by the deacon or by a cantor, a lector, or one of the lay faithful.

[benedictgal]

When I was handling the liturgies for my diocese, I used to compose the prayers of the faithful. I did not like the ones that OCP publsihed because they were too politically correct (not enough substance and too much fluff).

These are Benedictgal originals that I would have used had I still been writing General Intercessions for my diocese (of course, these have been amended for your particular situation):

For our Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI and our Archbishop, George Caridnal Pell, that Christ, our Good Shepherd, may strengthen them as they guide, tend and feed the sheep entrusted to them, let us pray to the Lord.

For our elected officials, that the Holy Spirit may inspire them to govern our country with wisdom, prudence and justice, let us pray to the Lord.

For those in our parish who are infirmed, that Christ, the Good Shepherd, may bind their wounds, stengthen their spirits and refresh their souls, let us pray to the Lord.

For our young people preparing for World Youth Day, that they may use this time to open their minds and hearts to follow the voice of Christ, our Shepherd. Let us pray to the Lord.

For all who have died, especially (mention the names of members of your parish who have recently died during the past week--or, if the intention fo the Mass is for the deceased), that Christ, our Shepherd may conduct them to verdent pastures of light, happiness and peace. Let us pray to the Lord.

I hope this helps.

[PaixGioiaAmor]

Originally Posted by benedictgal

When I was handling the liturgies for my diocese, I used to compose the prayers of the faithful. I did not like the ones that OCP publsihed because they were too politically correct (not enough substance and too much fluff). Translation: They took people's feelings into consideration and didn't offend needlessly?

I suppose you DO have some of a point: I'm no fan of OCP, and I hate their book published for this purpose.

But, seriously - politically correct isn't ALWAYS wrong. For example: One can pray for those with AIDS without making mention of them getting it through their own choices. Why be callous when there is no need?

These are Benedictgal originals that I would have used had I still been writing General Intercessions for my diocese (of course, these have been amended for your particular situation):


I hope this helps.

[benedictgal]

PGA, I am not saying that praying for people with AIDS is wrong; however, some of the stuff they come up with is rather strange and doesn't really fit the local community at all, especially when it comes to the Spanish versions (one of the Polish priests remarked that they reminded him of the liberation theology junk he had to face when he was stationed in Latin America. Heck, they don't even include prayers for the Pope, and he and the Church should be at the top of the list.

Of course, there is also the danger of using the book of the chair. I told this story once before, but, it certainly bears repeating. At the Cathedral, we have the Book of the Chair from Spain. The deacon was readnig the prayers and everything went well until he came to the part, "For Juan Carlos, our King". The rector looked at me. I looked at him and we looked at the deacon. He turned red and substituted the whole thing for our leaders.

[PaixGioiaAmor]

Originally Posted by benedictgal

PGA, I am not saying that praying for people with AIDS is wrong; however, some of the stuff they come up with is rather strange and doesn't really fit the local community at all, especially when it comes to the Spanish versions (one of the Polish priests remarked that they reminded him of the liberation theology junk he had to face when he was stationed in Latin America. Heck, they don't even include prayers for the Pope, and he and the Church should be at the top of the list.

Of course, there is also the danger of using the book of the chair. I told this story once before, but, it certainly bears repeating. At the Cathedral, we have the Book of the Chair from Spain. The deacon was readnig the prayers and everything went well until he came to the part, "For Juan Carlos, our King". The rector looked at me. I looked at him and we looked at the deacon. He turned red and substituted the whole thing for our leaders.

HA, nice.

I write our Prayer of the Faithful. Many times we pray for "the Pope, our bishop, and all who lead and guide the Church" ... but sometimes we pray "for all the Church" and for all of us ... since we ARE the Church. It varies. This weekend we prayed that the Good Shepherd would be an example for all priests. I mix it up.

[Joannm]

I write our petitions and I usually try not to add..."For the CHurch, that......" God knows what the CHurch needs. It involves being more creative just to pray without telling God exactly what we want Him to do.

[AussieAnn]

Thanks everyone for your advice thus far. I was wondering more specifically where do you get your inspiration from when doing it on a week by week basis? Do you look at the upcoming prescribed readings for that Sunday, do you use a website or book for inspiration. Do you just read the prescribed readings and then rejig them a bit? Thanks

[PaixGioiaAmor]

Originally Posted by AussieAnn

Thanks everyone for your advice thus far. I was wondering more specifically where do you get your inspiration from when doing it on a week by week basis? Do you look at the upcoming prescribed readings for that Sunday, do you use a website or book for inspiration. Do you just read the prescribed readings and then rejig them a bit? Thanks

There is an old saying: "The scriptures will speak ..."

Apply it generously here. You will not be disappointed.

[japhy]

Originally Posted by AussieAnn

I need some help, ideas and if possible mabye some useful links to help guide me. My Priest has asked me to help with with writing/preparing Prayers of the Faithful rather than just copying it out of a book like we do now.

Ask to see the parish's copy of the Sacramentary (the Roman Missal). It should have, in one of its appendices, "Sample Formulas for the General Intercessions". You needn't copy the samples, but they will certainly provide you with guidelines for style, language, content, order, etc.

[benedictgal]

Originally Posted by japhy

Ask to see the parish's copy of the Sacramentary (the Roman Missal). It should have, in one of its appendices, "Sample Formulas for the General Intercessions". You needn't copy the samples, but they will certainly provide you with guidelines for style, language, content, order, etc.

That is what I did my first go-round. Then, I also looked at the particulars of the Mass. For example, for the Red Mass, I included an intention for the judiciary. For the White Mass, I included an intention for the medical community, as well as for the sick for whom they care. The Sunday readings are also a good resource, as well as the liturgical season. You might remember to keep praying for the neophytes (the ones who have just been received into the Church during the Easter Vigil). They still need a lot of prayers because they are so new.

In your case, it wouldn't be a bad idea to occasionally sprinkle in some references to WYD, since y'all are the host country and archdiocese. You will be needing lots of prayers for this event.

[AussieAnn]

Originally Posted by benedictgal

That is what I did my first go-round. Then, I also looked at the particulars of the Mass. For example, for the Red Mass, I included an intention for the judiciary. For the White Mass, I included an intention for the medical community, as well as for the sick for whom they care. The Sunday readings are also a good resource, as well as the liturgical season. You might remember to keep praying for the neophytes (the ones who have just been received into the Church during the Easter Vigil). They still need a lot of prayers because they are so new.

In your case, it wouldn't be a bad idea to occasionally sprinkle in some references to WYD, since y'all are the host country and archdiocese. You will be needing lots of prayers for this event.

This is great advice people. I'm taking notes here as I am complete novice. Yes we are already non-stop praying for WYD. It is very exciting. The cross and icon just camr to our parish. Exciting stuff. God Bless

[Joannm]

Also look in the news. Is there anything that jumps out that needs to be included...a great tragedy in the community, a major storm in another part of the country. How about in our church...the Pope's visit, day of prayer for vocations, the intentions of the "special collection" (missions, retired religious etc.). Is there something going on in the parish, First Communions for example. Are you still including petitions for those in RCIA, the neophytes. I always include a petition for those in the armed service, and usually for greater respect for life. At least once a month, if not more, I include a petition for vocations and for a strengthening of families. OF course there are always sick and deceased. We have about 7 or 8 petitions each week in addition to the person or intention for whom the mass is offered

[jenjen]

Priestsforlife.org has great liturgy planning resources. Look here

http://www.priestsforlife.org/liturgy/index.htm