Lord, Please Don't Hear This Prayer

Beliefnet ^ | George Weigel

[NYer]

As I understand the theory behind the General Intercessions or Prayer of the Faithful, the petitions are supposed to be short and rather formulaic: we are to pray for the universal Church and its pastor, the local Church and its pastors, the civil authorities, the sick, the dead and dying, and the world’s salvation, adding special local needs as required.

Yet the subscription services that supply many parishes with their general intercessions often turn the petitions into mini-sermons in which various messages, theological and political, are encoded. I particularly dislike the now-widespread custom of jumping immediately from a pro forma prayer for the universal Church or the Pope to a second, much lengthier petition for some political desideratum, often accompanied by a protracted secondary clause suggesting, not too subtly, that all social goods are to be secured by government action.

These canned petitions do have one use, though: they reflect with considerable precision the default positions on certain questions in today’s U.S. Catholic establishment.

Take, for example, a petition I heard (in the #2 slot, of course) a few weeks ago: "That all world leaders may put aside their political differences and work for true and lasting peace, let us pray to the Lord." I didn’t. Why? Because that petition, however innocently crafted, reflects a host of misconceptions about world politics, world peace, and world order: misconceptions that I have been trying to counter — evidently, without much success! — for more than a quarter-century.

Why couldn’t I answer "Lord, hear our prayer" to the petition I just cited?

First, because I don’t believe that "political differences," in the normal sense of that term, define the fault-lines in world politics today. The differences between the civilized world and Al-Qaeda, or between the United States and North Korea, or between Christian blacks and Muslim Arabs in Sudan, or between the Russians of Beslan and the terrorists who held their children hostage and then murdered them in cold blood, are not "political differences"—if by "political differences" we mean disagreements about the best means to achieve commonly-agreed public goods.

The difference between the civilized world and Al-Qaeda is that the civilized world wishes to run its affairs by the rule of law, and Al-Qaeda wishes to impose its Islamist will on others through indiscriminate violence and the murder of innocents. North Korea is run by a lunatic with a couple of nuclear weapons who has no compunction about starving his own people; our “differences” with him and his regime are not “political,” in the sense that House Speaker Denny Hastert’s “differences” with House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi are “political.”

Prayers that suggest otherwise are unreal.

Secondly, I couldn’t answer “Lord, hear our prayer” because, as a matter of considered moral judgment, I don’t want my political leaders to put aside their differences with Al-Qaeda, or Kim Jong-il, or the nuclear-weapons-seeking mullahs of Iran, or the Islamists who commit genocide in Darfur and Beslan. I want my political leaders to craft wise policies, guided by moral reason, to insure that, if I may put it bluntly, we win and they lose: that is, that the civilized world and the rule of law prevail over terrorists and crazies.

Third, I couldn’t say “Lord, hear our prayer” to that oleaginous petition because it smacks of the psychobabble that has corrupted Catholic thinking about world politics for forty years or more. In the classic Catholic understanding of the word, peace is “order”: the “order” of law-governed societies whose domestic and international affairs are guided by a commitment to the rule of law and the political adjudication of conflict. “Peace,” as Catholics have understood it since Augustine, is not a matter of therapy; it’s a matter of law and politics. But you couldn’t tell that from the petition above, which sounds far more like Rodney King (“Why can’t we all just get along?”) than The City of God (“Peace is the tranquillity of order”).

Am I making too big a deal out of this? I don’t think so. The worship we offer God, including our intercessory prayer, should arise out of our deepest Catholic convictions. It shouldn’t be shaped, and mis-shaped, by the shibboleths of the therapeutic society.

[NYer]

Please feel free to write and post some good intercessory prayers, right here. I will make certain they are used.

[MIT-Elephant]

I agree with you, I'm very uncomfortable when those sorts of advocacy messages being aired in the prayer schedule.

I, a Catholic, was taken to an Episcopal service in Somerville, MA once...they prayed that world leaders would recognize globabl warming.

[siunevada]

it smacks of the psychobabble that has corrupted Catholic thinking about world politics for forty years or more.

Good one, George.

Although one wonders if there is any sort of Catholic 'thinking' going on sometimes.

[murphE]

"Please feel free to write and post some good intercessory prayers, right here. I will make certain they are used..."

I can't help think that you are asking for a world of trouble by inviting this, but I'll take a shot. How 'bout:

For the repentance and conversion of all enemies of the Church, both without and within, especially those that wear red hats.

[Pyro7480]

That prayer sounds like St. Maximilian Kolbe's version of the Miraculous Medal prayer:

O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee, and for all who do not have recourse to thee, especially the enemies of the Church, and those who are recommended to thee.

[NYer]

Lol!! Actually, I am serious! As lector, I have to develop the petitions on those weeks that I read. Rather than toss out the usual nonsense, here is your 'golden' opportunity to request something more meaningful.

[murphE]

There's a reason for that, I borrowed it :^), then put my own personal spin on it.

[No_Outcome_But_Victory]

Those that come into Your House of worship, that they recognize and reverence Your Presence, we pray to the Lord.

Those that pray for peace in the world, that they learn the True Peace that passes all understanding by loving and serving You, we pray to the Lord.

[NYer]

Beautiful! Thanks ... I'll add them to the list.

[AAABEST]

As lector, I have to develop the petitions on those weeks that I read. Rather than toss out the usual nonsense, here is your 'golden' opportunity to request something more meaningful.

Pray that women follow scripture and stop speaking out to the congregation.

[Knitting A Conundrum]

I like that prayer...but I have come nothing less than that type of love from St. Maximillian Kolbe, one of my favorite hero saints...

[old and tired]

The following petitions (one a week) have been added to many Catholic Churches - mine included - in Philadelphia:

1. That nominees to the US Supreme Court will be people who respect God's plan for the human family.

2. That those nominated to the U.S. Supreme Court and all courts will respect life, marriage, and family.

3. That U.S. courts will always honor the sacredness of human life.

4. That America's judges will follow the 10 Commandments and the Declaration of Independence.

[old and tired]

Anyone who likes any of the petitions in post 13, needs only to print them out and hand them to the parish secretary, in most instances.

[Dominick]

Well, how should we pray for Peace? It is like the sign of Peace, there is no rubric for the sign of Peace, so I offer my neighbor the "Peace of Christ".

I want peace, I would like enemies of the Church and by extension Civilization to give up and go home. I would love for them to stop bombing and pursue political means. In Al Quida's case, maybe they would be satisfied with living somewhere, and leaving everyone alone. That would be miraculous indeed, but also highly unlikely.

I would love there to be peace in the Mothers womb. Indeed the Montgomery-Stinnet (baby ripped from womb) case highlights the danger mothers are in today. Beyond that, children grow up fatherless, or motherless, due to selfishness, and a little Peace there would be a great thing. There is nothing more peaceful than a secure and safe child in a parent's lap.

Yes, I want peace, stop the politics, and follow the way of peace. Sure why not, I pray that Christ would suddenly strike Bin Laden the right way and BOOM he repents and surrenders to follow Christ! Can it happen? Hell yeah! Will it happen, not likely. Do I want it to happen, of course, even Bin Laden could enter Heaven if Christ willed it, and I am not one to quarrel with Christ.

In his current state Bin Laden is destined for Hell as a mass murderer, but this indeed was his choice, and is a sorrowful thing indeed. Could peace be achieved, sure, it would be an amazing miracle.

I am sure we will never see:
That superior American firepower will triumph over the enemies of Western Civilization and henceforth lasting Peace will come to the Earth, we pray to the Lord....

[maryz]

For the repentance and conversion of all enemies of the Church, both without and within, especially those that wear red hats.

Lord, hear our prayer.

Long overdue article! I recall especially, here in Boston, not too long after the height of the abuse scandal, one that went "May the leaders of the Church continue to show Christ to the world . . ."

Boy, was my beeber stuned! Continue???!! Right -- great job, there, guys!

I, too, make a practice of listening carefully to each to be sure I can in conscience pray for it!

[NYer]

Thank you ... they have been added to the list. The one petition I ALWAYS read, is for an increase in vocations to the priesthood and religious life.

[sassbox]

fortunately my parish doesn't engage in PC psychobabble petitions though I've heard some doozies in the past (e.g., prayers for an end to all discrimination against gays but no prayers for an end to abortion). We always pray for the troops and that terrorist attacks against the US be prevented, as well as prayers for the dead, the sick, and the Pope.

[Bombardier]

I agree.....I wouldn't have been able to reply to that petition, either. I want a true peace of Christ to govern Earth...not the false peace that so many seek, which would end up being the peace of the grave.

[DBeers]

I, a Catholic, was taken to an Episcopal service in Somerville, MA once...they prayed that world leaders would recognize globabl warming.

LOL

[Lilllabettt]

Hmmmmm. The General Intercessions are the most irritating parts of the Mass, in my opinion. The sign of peace is a close second.

Still, there are excellent ways to pray for peace without being all p.c. How about "Deliver Your children from the scourge of warfare, and give us true peace, the peace that only You can bring" or "Preserve the soldiers in our service, defenders of the peace" or "For those who serve the public good, strengthen them in love, that they may do Your will, always."

[old and tired]

The one petition I ALWAYS read, is for an increase in vocations to the priesthood and religious life.

Excellent. Not only are prayers important in intercession, you never know if the act of hearing the petition will spark a flame in some young person's heart. We have a transitional deacon in our parish who said he was ignoring the signs of his vocation for so long, and then one day he noticed a magnet on his mother's refrigerator that said "priest call".

[justinmartyr]

At college some 20 years back, the chaplain thought it appropriate for members of the congregation to shout out their petitions from the nave. Immediately after one bright young things offered up a prayer "for nuclear disarmament," I stood and begged Our Lord's blessings "for national defense."

I was asked not to return.

[american colleen]

LOL!

I guess this illustrates that the underlying meaning to the petitions can be, in a lot of parishes, political and not spiritual. And... YOU VILL OBEY!!!

This isn't a huge problem in my parish but sometimes I do find myself unable to respond "Lord, hear our prayer" when the petition veers on the politically correct.

[redhead]

Yay!! You took the words right out of my mouth! I have asked Father numerous times to get rid of that stupid book. When I was lector, I just proofread each intercession, changed words here and there, or simply didn't read the stupidest ones. Nobody knew the difference.

[redhead]

"Please feel free to write and post some good intercessory prayers, right here. I will make certain they are used."

How about: For the loved ones of those near death or recently deceased, that they be strengthened to go on with their lives and to lean into the loving arms of the Lord and his Blessed Mother.

[american colleen]

For the loved ones of those near death or recently deceased, that they be strengthened to go on with their lives and to lean into the loving arms of the Lord and his Blessed Mother.

I love that one! You could also modify it to contain something about the souls in purgatory who may not have anyone to pray for them.

[siunevada]

Lord, protect those serving in the military of our country. They serve to protect the gift of freedom You have given us.

[NYer]

Not only are prayers important in intercession, you never know if the act of hearing the petition will spark a flame in some young person's heart.

Thanks for the reminder! Your comment has now convinced me to post the story of a young Maronite priest's experience, at a booth set up at an Art Fair in AnnArbor MI. It's a wonderful story and I will ping you to it!

[NYer]

The sign of peace is a close second.

In the Novus Ordo Rite, I would agree. However, if you have the opportunity to attend a Maronite Catholic Divine Liturgy, this is how the 'Sign of Peace' is conveyed.

The priest kisses the altar, places his hands on the chalice, then passes God's peace to the deacon, who then gives it to the acolyte, who passes it to the first person in the pews, who passes it to the next person, an so on. Very rich indeed!

In our Maronite parish, there is no deacon. The priest places his hands over the chalice and then over the bread, kisses the altar, folds his hands and brings the Peace of Christ to the acolyte. The acolyte then passes it to two children who carry it to the first person in each pew.

The same exchange of peace occurs during the Reconciliation service. Since this is such a small parish, it is not unusual to see them embracing each other. Just before Christmas, Father brought in a Latin priest to assist him with confessions. When this old priest witnessed the exchange of peace, he smiled broadly. It is so much more significant than hand pumping in the pew.

[Salvation]

For an increase in priestly vocations,
We pray to the Lord,

Lord hear our prayer.

[Salvation]

Our priest OKs the intercessions. Not quite that easy.

[NYer]

For the loved ones of those near death or recently deceased, that they be strengthened to go on with their lives and to lean into the loving arms of the Lord and his Blessed Mother.

Love it! Thank you.

In fact, the last time I served as lector (it rotates), the 95 year old father of a parishioner had died peacefully in his sleep. I delivered someting similar to what you posted but specifically mentioned "especially for the family of John Karrat'

In the Eastern Catholic Churches, it is their custom to remain after the Divine Liturgy for coffee and refreshments. The family approached me to say "Thank You!" for including their father in the petitions. Keep in mind that many of these Eastern Catholic Churches have small congregations that are closely knit. This gentleman's funeral took place two days later at another Maronite Catholic Church, 2 hours north of here. Our pastor celebrated the liturgy with that parish's pastor serving as con-celebrant. The temperatures dropped to sub zero the night before, and that church's heating system died. When I arrived for the funeral mass, the pastor was handing out blankets ... lol!

I do not regret the trip up there for this gentleman's funeral. The eulogy was delivered by one of his grandsons. Though I had only recently met this man, I was moved to tears by the story of how he arrived in this country, established his roots and built his family and faith around the Maronite Catholic Church. His legacy was huge!

During the Diving Liturgy, one of the prayers that we pray goes as follows:

Remember, O Lord, the faithful departed.
Accept this offering on their behalf.
They put their hope in your mercy and compassion and await your graces.
Grant them rest in the bosom of Abraham,
and call them to be guests in your kingdom.
Grant also to us a peaceful death, and blot out our offenses,
for no one on earth is without sin
except your only-begotten Son,
through whom we hope, along with them,
to receive pardon for our sins.
And we pray to you, O Lord.

John Karrat knew a 'peaceful death', surrounded by his family and loved ones. The absolute beauty of small parish communities, such as ours, is that one becomes humbled by the example set by others, like John Karrat. He was instrumental in the construction of the other church and it was for that reason, that his funeral was held there.

Another aspect of the Eastern Catholic Church is something called the 40 day liturgy. On Sunday, January 23, John Karrat's family has requested this service. At the end of the Divine Liturgy, our Abouna (Father) will chant a series of prayers in Syriac, for the repose of the soul of this servant of God. He will be accompanied by another parishioner who also speaks Syriac. During this service, Father will incense the Tabernacle 3 times, followed by the acolytes and then the congregation. It is a very beautiful and moving prayer service. Afterwards, the family will offer a beautiful spread of refreshments and tasty confections for all who have joined their prayers with our Abouna for the repose of the soul of this humble servant.

Interestingly, at this same liturgy we will be praying for the soul of my neighbor's grandson, who died in Iraq. His immediiate neighbor is John Karrat's granddaughter. In essence, at the same Divine Liturgy, we will have a granddaughter mouning the loss of her grandfather and her immediate neighbor (a Roman Catholic) mourning the loss of his grandson. How awesome is our God!

[Salvation]

For the Holy Innocents and an end to abortion.

We pray to the Lord.

Lord, hear our prayer.

[Kolokotronis]

Here are our Intercessions; there are two sets prayed every Sunday and the same every Sunday for about 1700 years now (well, with a few obvious updates, but you get the picture):

THE GREAT LITANY

Priest: In peace let us pray to the Lord.

People: Lord, have mercy.

Priest: For the peace of God and the salvation of our souls, let us pray to the Lord.

People: Lord, have mercy.

Priest: For peace in the whole world, for the stability of the holy churches of God, and for the unity of all, let us pray to the Lord.

People: Lord, have mercy.

Priest: For this holy house and for those who enter it with faith, reverence, and the fear of God, let us pray to the Lord.

People: Lord, have mercy.

Priest: For our Archbishop (Name), our Bishop (Name), the honorable presbyters, the deacons in the service of Christ, and all the clergy and laity, let us pray to the Lord.

People: Lord, have mercy.

Priest: For our country, the president, and all those in public service, let us pray to the Lord.

People: Lord, have mercy.

Priest: For this parish and city, for every city and town, and for the faithful who live in them, let us pray to the Lord.

People: Lord, have mercy.

Priest: For favorable weather, an abundance of the fruits of the earth, and temperate seasons, let us pray to the Lord.

People: Lord, have mercy.

Priest: For travelers by land, sea, and air, for the sick, the suffering, the captives, and for their salvation, let us pray to the Lord.

People: Lord, have mercy.

Priest: For our deliverance from all affliction, wrath, danger, and distress, let us pray to the Lord.

People: Lord, have mercy.

Priest: Help us, save us, have mercy upon us, and protect us, O God, by Your grace.

People: Lord, have mercy.

Priest: Remembering our most holy, pure, blessed, and glorious Lady, the Theotokos and ever virgin Mary, with all the saints, let us commit ourselves and one another and our whole life to Christ our God.

People: To You, O Lord.

Priest (in a low voice): Lord, our God, whose power is beyond compare, and glory is beyond understanding; whose mercy is boundless, and love for us is ineffable: look upon us and upon this holy house in Your compassion. Grant to us and to those who pray with us Your abundant mercy.

Priest: For to You belong all glory, honor, and worship to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of ages.

People: Amen.

And later, the Petitions:

Priest: Let us complete our prayer to the Lord.

People: Lord, have mercy.

Priest: For the precious gifts here presented, let us pray to the Lord.

People: Lord, have mercy.

Priest: For this holy house and for those who enter it with faith, reverence, and the fear of God, let us pray to the Lord.

People: Lord, have mercy.

Priest: For our deliverance from all affliction, wrath, danger, and distress, let us pray to the Lord.

People: Lord, have mercy.

Priest: Help us, save us, have mercy upon us, and protect us, O God, by Your grace.

People: Lord, have mercy.

Priest: For a perfect, holy, peaceful, and sinless day, let us ask the Lord.

People: Grant this, O Lord.

Priest: For an angel of peace, a faithful guide, a guardian of our souls and bodies, let us ask the Lord.

People: Grant this, O Lord.

Priest: For forgiveness and remission of our sins and transgressions, let us ask the Lord.

People: Grant this, O Lord.

Priest: For all that is good and beneficial to our souls, and for peace in the world, let us ask the Lord.

People: Grant this, O Lord.

Priest: For the completion of our lives in peace and repentance, let us ask the Lord.

People: Grant this, O Lord.

Priest: For a Christian end to our lives, peaceful, without shame and suffering, and for a good account before the awesome judgment seat of Christ, let us ask the Lord.

People: Grant this, O Lord.

Priest: Remembering our most holy, pure, blessed, and glorious Lady, the Theotokos and ever virgin Mary, with all the saints, let us commit ourselves and one another and our whole life to Christ our God.

People: To You, O Lord."

This is said just after the "Sanctus".

[dsc]

How about, "That innocent boys and young men be protected from the unnatural lusts of men who suffer from same-sex attraction disorder"?

[Land of the Irish]

Pray that women follow scripture and stop speaking out to the congregation.

ROTFLMAO

[murphE]

LOL!

[NYer]

*For the Holy Innocents and an end to abortion. *

Thank you, Salvation. This is always appropriate but even more so this week, as we prepare for the 30th anniversary of Roe v Wade. It will be on my list!