Here’s
a responsive prayer inspired by the Beatitudes (Matthew 5:3-12). It comes from the Catholic Online website.
Beatitude Prayer
(inspired by Matthew
5:3-12)
Lord
Jesus, you said,
"Blessed
are the poor in spirit,
for
theirs is the kingdom of heaven."
Keep
us from being preoccupied with money and worldly goods,
and
with trying to increase them at the expense of justice.
Lord
Jesus, you said,
"Blessed
are the gentle,
for
they shall inherit the earth."
Help
us not to be ruthless with one another,
and
to eliminate the discord and violence
that
exists in the world around us.
Lord
Jesus, you said,
"Blessed
are those who mourn,
for
they shall be comforted."
Let
us not be impatient under our own burdens
and
unconcerned about the burdens of others.
Lord
Jesus, you said,
"Blessed
are those who hunger and thirst for justice,
for
they shall be filled."
Make
us thirst for you, the fountain of all holiness,
and
actively spread your influence in our private lives and in society.
Lord
Jesus, you said,
"Blessed
are the merciful,
for
they shall receive mercy."
Grant
that we may be quick to forgive
and
slow to condemn.
Lord
Jesus, you said,
"Blessed
are the clean of heart,
for
they shall see God."
Free
us from our senses and our evil desires,
and
fix our eyes on you.
Lord
Jesus, you said,
"Blessed
are the peacemakers,
for
they shall be called children of God."
Aid
us to make peace in our families, in our country,
and
in the world.
Lord
Jesus, you said,
"Blessed
are those who are persecuted for the sake of justice,
for
the kingdom of heaven in theirs."
Make
us willing to suffer for the sake of right
rather
than to practice injustice;
and
do not let us discriminate against our neighbors
and
oppress and persecute them.
