About this prayer
This original devotional prayer asks Saint John Paul II to intercede with God. It is written for this companion and is not presented as a historical prayer composed by the saint.
Prayer text
Saint John Paul II, join your prayers to mine before our loving God. Pray that I may follow Christ with courage and honour the dignity of every person. Help me build bridges between generations, support families, and stand beside those whose voices are ignored. When fear makes the future seem closed, ask for the hope that moves us to responsible action and the love that refuses to abandon our neighbours. Intercede for the intentions I now hold in silence, especially for those who have no one to pray with them. May every grace we receive draw us closer to Jesus and make us more ready to serve our neighbour. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Extended community prayer
The original prayer above is unchanged. This separate community version includes additional intentions and responses. One person leads; everyone joins in the shared parts.
Let us gather in the presence of God, remembering those who pray with us and those who cannot be here. We bring our gratitude, our needs, and our willingness to care for one another.
God of love, unite our hearts in prayer and teach us to serve you together.
Saint John Paul II, join your prayers to mine before our loving God. Pray that I may follow Christ with courage and honour the dignity of every person. Help me build bridges between generations, support families, and stand beside those whose voices are ignored. When fear makes the future seem closed, ask for the hope that moves us to responsible action and the love that refuses to abandon our neighbours. Intercede for the intentions I now hold in silence, especially for those who have no one to pray with them. May every grace we receive draw us closer to Jesus and make us more ready to serve our neighbour. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Community intentions
For young people discerning their future, obtain courage to follow Christ and honour the dignity of every person.
Lord, hear our prayer, and help us become instruments of your mercy.
For nations and communities wounded by hostility, ask for leaders and neighbours willing to pursue reconciliation and peace.
Lord, hear our prayer, and help us become instruments of your mercy.
Pause for silent prayer. Intentions may be offered aloud freely; no one is required to share.
For the intentions spoken and those held quietly in our hearts, let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, receive our prayer and sustain us in your love.
Let us entrust ourselves and those for whom we have prayed to the Father.
Merciful Father, receive our prayer through Jesus Christ. Where we can offer help, make us willing; where we must wait, give us patience. Keep us attentive to one another beyond this gathering. May the grace of this prayer take root in our homes, our work, and our choices, so that your love becomes visible through our lives. Amen.