Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors Program

Inclusion in Worship

Inclusion Awareness Day Workbook 2004

Creating Congregations Where People of All Abilities Participate

Intercessory Prayers

Response:  Loving God, hear our prayer!

That local, state and national leaders take action on behalf of persons of all abilities with the sense of justice and compassion that the Lord so clearly desires, we pray to the Lord…

That the leaders of our Church continue to embrace their responsibility to hear the cry for recognition from people of all abilities just as Jesus did, we pray to the Lord…

That our community of faith continues to reach out and find new ways to include people of all abilities in all aspects of parish life, we pray to the Lord…

That the family and friends who assist people with a disability be given the strength they need and the support of others as they encourage lives of dignity and independence, we pray to the Lord…

That those among us with a disability know the abiding faithfulness of God we pray to the Lord…

That those who have gone before us to be with God rejoice in that place where there are no tears, no doubt no pain, we pray to the Lord…

That the prayers we hold in the silence of our hearts be a holy offering to God, we pray to the Lord…

Loving God, you instruct us to lift our needs to you in prayer, may our prayers rise up to you like incense, help us to break down the human-made barriers that separate us form others, may we be inspired to reach out to people of all abilities by following the example of your Son, our Lord, Jesus Christ in whose name we offer these prayers.

Amen.

Roman Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh, Department for Persons with Disabilities