Daily Prayers for April 23

Cesar Chavez (1927 – 1993)

Cesar Chavez was a Latino farmworker in the United States who organized the United Farmworkers Union (UFW). Inspired by a priest who taught him God’s desire for social justice, Chavez gave himself to voluntary poverty and a nonviolent struggle on behalf of America’s poorest and most exploited workers. “When you sacrifice, you force others to sacrifice,” he said. “It’s an extremely powerful weapon.”

O Lord, let my soul rise up to meet you

as the day rises to meet the sun.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit,

as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen.

Come, let us sing to the Lord : let us shout for joy to the Rock of our salvation.

Song “Vamos Todos al Banquete”

O Mighty God, our Prince of Peace : you order your kingdom with justice.

Psalm 110:1 5

The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at my right hand : until I make your enemies your footstool.”

The Lord will send the scepter of your power out of Zion : saying, “Rule over your enemies round about you.

Princely state has been yours from the day of your birth : in the beauty of holiness have I begotten you, like dew from the womb of the morning.”

The Lord has sworn and he will not recant : “You are a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek.”

The Lord who is at your right hand will smite kings in the day of his wrath : he will rule over the nations.

O Mighty God, our Prince of Peace : you order your kingdom with justice.

Leviticus 16:1 – 19 2 Thes-salo-nians 2:13 – 17

O Mighty God, our Prince of Peace : you order your kingdom with justice.

A prayer by Cesar Chavez: “Show me the suffering of the most miserable, so I will know my -people’s plight. Free me to pray for others, for you are present in every person. Help me take responsibility for my own life, so that I can be free at last. Grant me courage to serve others, for in ser-vice there is true life. Give me honesty and patience, so that the Spirit will be alive among us. Let the Spirit flourish and grow, so that we will never tire of the struggle. Let us remember those who have died for justice, for they have given us life. Help us love even those who hate us, so we can change the world. Amen.”

Prayers for Others

Our Father

Loving God, teach us to order the desires of our hearts according to the call to do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with you. Amen.

May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you : wherever he may send you;

may he guide you through the wilderness : protect you through the storm;

may he bring you home rejoicing : at the wonders he has shown you;

may he bring you home rejoicing : once again into our doors.

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