I like this first one for those I know who have “strayed out
of the fold”, leaving the Catholic Church into which they’d been baptized:
Prayer
for Heretics and Unbelievers
Lord Jesus, most merciful
Savior of the world, we humbly beseech Thee, by Thy most Sacred Heart, that all
the sheep who stray out of Thy fold, as well as those who are held by the
darkness of error, may be converted to Thee, the Shepherd and Bishop of their
souls Who livest and reignest with God the Father in the unity of the Holy
Ghost, forever and ever.
Then there is this one for those among us who don’t yet even believe in God. I think also of those (like my friend Doc) who are Christians, and have examined the Catholic faith to some extent, but have rejected it; I like the line about having “courage to accept the faith and openly profess it” because it does take courage. In being received by the Church, one must make that profession that declares that “I believe all” that the Church teaches. Well, how can you ever know “all”?! That’s where faith comes in…and courage.
Prayer
for the Conversion of Unbelievers
O Holy Spirit of truth, we
beseech Thee to enlighten the minds of unbelievers in the midst of us; to
incline their hearts to love Thy word, and to believe the teachings of Thy
Church; give them courage to accept the faith and openly profess it; that they
may come into union with Thee and the Father, through Christ our Lord, Who liveth
and reigneth forever and ever.
And here’s one for “sinners”…which is all of us, of course, but this is particularly for those sinners who are not repentant, who continue to live in their sin. I think of people like Nancy Pelosi and Joe Biden, but there are plenty of lesser-known individuals among our own families and friends, I’m sure!
Prayer
for Sinners
Almighty and eternal God, Who sleekest
not the death but the life of sinners,
Who wouldst save all and have none to perish, mercifully hear our prayers on
behalf of those who are dead in sin and grant that they may repent and live
again in Thy grace. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
I like the above three; I pray
them together, as they address each of the Persons of the Trinity. I also pray
this one, addressed to Our Lady:
Prayer
to Our Lady of Victory
O Victorious Lady! Thou who has
ever such powerful influence with thy divine Son in conquering the hardest of
hearts, intercede for those for whom we pray, that their hearts being softened
by the rays of divine grace, they may return to the unity of the true faith,
through Christ, our Lord. Amen.
