Prayer for Priests

Lord Jesus, more than anybody, You love Your priests. We lift them up to You, because we know that in their closeness to You their hearts shall be moulded into Yours.

Make Your Heart the pattern of theirs. Set them aflame with fire for love of souls. Transform them to hardened bronze for chastity, but melt them with compassion for the penitent and the needy.

Give them the wisdom to teach and to bless, O Lord, that they may live the life You want to share with them. Let it be theirs, and through them it shall be ours also. Amen.

Let us pray for

The Holy Father — fill him with Your grace, Lord. The cardinals, archbishops and bishops — give them wisdom and courage, Lord. All diocesan priests — never leave them, Lord. All parish priests — enkindle their hearts, Lord. Priests in seminary work — enlighten them, Lord. Priests in special ministry — give them prudence, Lord. Priests who are ill or worried — heal them and give them peace, Lord. Priests who are weak and in danger — strengthen them, Lord. Priests who are sad and lonely — console them, Lord. Priests who are old — sustain them, Lord. Priests who are young — impel them with Your glory, Lord. All religious priests — protect them, Lord. All priests and religious who have died — bring them to glory, Lord.

Let us pray

O God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, You are the soul and the life of the Church. Hear the prayers we offer for the priests, together with the Immaculate Heart of Mary, their protector and guide. We ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen.