STEWARDSHIP - PRAYERS

Everyone can support the life and mission of the parish with their prayers. The following prayers can be used for any parish committees, meetings, or group settings.

Oh God, Giver of Life
Oh Lord, giver of life and source of our freedom, we are reminded by the Psalmist that yours is “the earth and its fullness; the world and those who dwell in it.” We know that it is from your hand that we have received all we have, and are, and will be. Gracious and loving God, we understand that you call us to be the stewards of your abundance, the caretakers of all you have entrusted to us. Help us always to use your gifts wisely and teach us to share them generously. May our faithful stewardship bear witness to the love of Christ in our lives. We pray with grateful hearts, in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Fill Us With Your Truth and Love
Lord God, You alone are the source of every gift, of the vast array of our universe, and of the mystery of each human life. We praise you and we thank you for your great power and tender, faithful Love. Everything we are and everything we have is your gift, and after having created us, you have given us into the keeping of your Son, Jesus Christ.
Fill our hearts with Christ’s truth and our hearts with his love, that in Spirit we may be bonded together into a community of faith, a parish family, and a caring people. In the name of Jesus, we commit ourselves to be good stewards of the gifts entrusted to us, to share our time, our talent, and our material gifts as an outward sign of the treasure we hold in Jesus. Amen.

We Thank You for Our Many Blessings
God, Creator and Giver of all that is good, we thank you for our many blessings. Mindful of your generosity, we acknowledge that all that we have is from you. Daily, we offer you thanks and praise for the beauty of the earth, our work, our family, and our loved ones. In the dawning of a new day, you are with us. In each dark hour, you are here. Blessed by Your grace, we show gratitude by sharing what we have. By serving our brothers and sisters, we serve you.
As you protect and guide us on our journey, we, your stewards, remain ever grateful for your constant love. Amen

Life is Your Gift
Creator God, Life is your gift to me. Through Baptism, you invite me to share the gift of my life in service to others. Be with me as I choose each day to show your presence in our world. Give me the courage and generosity to respond to your love, to your call. I pray especially for those who serve you in ministry throughout Good Shepherd Catholic Church.  May we bear the “Good News” to those in need. Keep us close to you. Open the minds and hearts of men, women, and young people that they may accept your challenge to build the Kingdom in our parish, our community, and our world.
For if not us, who?
If not here, where?
If not now, when?
If not for Your Kingdom, why?
We make this prayer through Christ our Lord. Amen

Taken from U.S. Bishops’ Pastoral Letter
Stewardship: A Disciple’s Response

Stewardship Prayer for Children
Dear Jesus, I thank you for everything you have given me. My gifts of time and talents are precious gifts; enable me to use them to do your will. I offer you this day all my words, actions, and good intentions to reflect my love for you and my neighbor. Please help me realize that I need to share these gifts and all my gifts with the Church and others, help me to be generous, patient, forgiving and holy. Amen