Franciscan Friday: Prayer for Missioners

Michael Redell

Kitzi Hendricks

Susan Slavin

Missioners Michael Redell and Kitzi Hendricks arrived in Bolivia today while Susan Slavin makes her final preparations for Kenya.  As they begin their two-year mission journey abroad, please join us in praying the Franciscan Prayer for Missioners:

Lord, make our sisters and brothers serving in other countries instruments of your peace. . .

In the midst of conflict give them serene spirits.

Where there is hatred, let them sow love. . .

Grant that our missioners be bridges of reconciliation.

Where there is injury, pardon…

Make our missioners a truly healing presence.

Where there is doubt, faith. . .

Gift our missioners with absolute trust in your providence.

Where there is despair, hope. . .

Keep our missioners ever-mindful of your empowering presence in the world.

Where there is darkness, light. . .

Grant that the witness of our missioners illumine the way for all they encounter.

Where there is sadness, joy. . .

Keep the spirits of our missioners lifted by the grace of their vocation.

O Divine Master, may our missionary sisters and brothers not so much seek to be consoled as to console…

In the midst of the pain which they witness.

To be understood, as to understand…

In the trying reality of their missionary lives.

To be loved, as to love…

Each person without thought of class, race, or religion.

Help our missioners believe the all-important truth:

That in giving, they receive
That in pardoning, they are pardoned
And that in dying, they are born to eternal life.

Amen.