Weekly Prayers for Youth: Christ is Alive Theme

1. Prayers for the week20 – 24 May Prayer theme: Christusvivit or Christ is alive Pope Francis has written a letter to young people and the Church, called ‘Christusvivit’ or ‘Christ is alive’. Beforehand young people from all over the world answered questionnaires and later he met with young people from different countries and with bishops to think about the Church and young people. We continue to pray for yr 11 and 13 during this time of exams.

2. Monday 20 May 31. Jesus does not teach you, young people, from afar or from without, but from within your very youth, a youth he shares with you. It is very important for you to contemplate the young Jesus, for he was truly one of you, and shares many of the features of your young hearts. We see this for example in the following: “Jesus trusted his Father; he maintained friendship with his disciples, and even in moments of crisis he remained faithful to them. He showed compassion for the weakest, especially the poor, the sick, sinners and the excluded. He had the courage to confront the religious and political authorities of his time; he knew what it was to feel misunderstood and rejected; he experienced the fear of suffering. He turned his gaze to the future, entrusting himself into the Father’s safe hands in the strength of the Spirit. In Jesus, all the young can see themselves”. Dear God, Help us to know you more clearly, to love you more dearly and follow you more nearly. Amen.

3. Monday 20 May 39. “Even though to many young people, God, religion and the Church seem empty words, they are sensitive to the figure of Jesus when he is presented in an attractive and effective way”. The Church should not be caught up in herself but instead, and above all, reflect Jesus Christ. This means humbly acknowledging that some things need to change, and if that is to happen, she needs to appreciate the vision but also the criticisms of young people. Dear God, We pray for the Catholic church, for its people and its leaders. May it be a place of welcome for all, where everybody feels at home. May we listen better to each other and not judge one another. Amen.

4. Tuesday 21 May 64. We cannot just say that young people are the future of our world. They are its present; even now, they are helping to enrich it. Young people are no longer children. They are at a time of life when they begin to assume a number of responsibilities, sharing alongside adults in the growth of the family, society and the Church. Yet the times are changing, leading us to ask: What are today’s young people really like? What is going on in their lives? Dear God, Help us to live more in the present moment and embrace our potential. We can start making a difference right now in the places where we are living. Help us to see the good in others and reach out to those in need. Amen.

5. Tuesday 21 May 112. The very first truth I would tell each of you is this: “God loves you”. It makes no difference whether you have already heard it or not. I want to remind you of it. God loves you. Never doubt this, whatever may happen to you in life. At every moment, you are infinitely loved. Loving God, Thank you for your great love for us. You sent your only Son to live with us and show us how to love. Help us to grow in love for you and others. Amen.

6. Wednesday 22 May 118. The second great truth is that Christ, out of love, sacrificed himself completely in order to save you. His outstretched arms on the cross are the most telling sign that he is a friend who is willing to stop at nothing: “Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end” (Jn 13:1). Dear God, Help us to trust in your great and infinite love for each of us. No matter how many mistakes we make, you forgive us and keep loving us. We thank you that our value does not depend on our success or achievement, but on your great love. Amen.

7. Wednesday 22 May 124. Finally, there is a third truth: Christ is alive! We need to keep reminding ourselves of this, because we can risk seeing Jesus Christ simply as a fine model from the distant past, as a memory, as someone who saved us two thousand years ago. But that would be of no use to us: it would leave us unchanged, it would not set us free. The one who fills us with his grace, the one who liberates us, transforms us, heals and consoles us is someone fully alive. He is the Christ, risen from the dead, filled life and energy. Loving God, You want a relationship with us. Help us to be honest with you about our feelings and our desires. We thank you for always being there for us. Amen.

8. Thursday 23 May 142. Keep following your hopes and dreams. But be careful about one temptation that can hold us back. It is anxiety. Anxiety can work against us by making us give up whenever we do not see instant results. Our best dreams are only attained through hope, patience and commitment. At the same time, we should not be hesitant, afraid to take chances or make mistakes. Even if you make mistakes, you can always get up and start over, for no one has the right to rob you of hope. Dear God, help us to always do our best and to take risks in order to follow our dreams. Give us courage and confidence to persevere and to try again if we make a mistake or when things don’t work out immediately. Amen.

9. Thursday 23 May 248. The word “vocation” can be understood in a broad sense as a calling from God, including the call to life, the call to friendship with him, the call to holiness, and so forth. This is helpful, since it situates our whole life in relation to the God who loves us. It makes us realize that nothing is the result of pure chance but that everything in our lives can become a way of responding to the Lord, who has a wonderful plan for us. Dear Jesus, you want to be our friend and faithful companion. Help us to be faithful too and to trust in your love and plans for us. Amen.

10. Friday 24 May 299. Dear young people, my joyful hope is to see you keep running the race before you, outstripping all those who are slow or fearful. Keep running, “attracted by the face of Christ, whom we love so much and acknowledge in the flesh of our suffering brothers and sisters. May the Holy Spirit urge you on as you run this race. The Church needs your momentum, your intuitions, your faith. We need them! And when you arrive where we have not yet reached, have the patience to wait for us”.

11. Friday 24 May Examen Be silent and place yourself in God’s loving presence. Think about the good things that have happened this week and give thanks.​ Who have you left a good memory with this week? Look back over your week. Where have you felt joy and what has been difficult and challenged you? In the quiet of your heart, tell God about your experiences.​ Give thanks for who you are. As you look ahead, with what spirit will you enter next week? Ask God to help you.