Praying for priests is a mission of love and responsibility. Pope Francis reminds us that a priest does not do it alone; he needs the support and prayers of all of us. In his exhortation Evangelii Gaudium (The Joy of the Gospel) and in many homilies, the Pope stresses that the path of the priesthood is deeply linked to all Christians.

The priestly vocation involves great sacrifices and challenges, and priests face difficulties that can weaken their mission if they do not receive the necessary support. That is why our prayers are an act of love and commitment, a way of caring for those who, in turn, care for us and bring us closer to God.

Why should we pray for priests?

St. Josemaría Escrivá taught that the priest, although a man among men, is Christ himself! Through our prayer, we can be his shield and strength. Priests are spiritual directors and living examples of love and dedication to Christ, but they also need our prayers to remain firm in their vocation. Praying for them is an act of empathy and deep support, a gesture of love that accompanies and strengthens them in their daily mission of service. And the prayers go back and forth, since all priests pray daily in the Liturgy of the Hours for all human beings all over the planet.

Reasons to pray for priests

• To offer them spiritual support in their mission: the prayer of the Christian Church is a powerful force that sustains priests in their mission. As Pope St. John Paul II expressed it in his Letter to Priests in 1979, there is a profound connection between the ministerial priesthood and the common priesthood of the faithful. While priests guide and form God's people, the faithful participate through their own lives and prayers. By praying for them, we strengthen their vocation and help them bring Christ to all.
  
• That they may be instruments of grace and find strength in their vocation.The priesthood is a gift offered for the sake of communion (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1533). Through the sacraments, especially the Eucharist and ConfessionGod's grace reaches out to all Christians, nourishing and guiding their lives. However, priests also need constant support to remain faithful to their vocation in the midst of challenges and trials. Divine grace is that force that drives and sustains the Christian journey, acting in the depths of the soul in the face of difficulties. As we pray for them, we ask that this grace envelop them, strengthen them and fill them with joy so that they may fulfill their mission faithfully; in turn, they contribute to the holiness and growth of the whole Church.
  
• Protection against temptations and spiritual wear and tear: St. John Mary Vianney, patron of priests, expressed with great clarity the importance of priestly work: "Without the priest, the Passion and Death of our Lord would be of no use. It is the priest who continues the work of redemption on earth". To pray for them is to help them resist the trials and renew their commitment to holiness, which requires God's help and the support of the whole community.

How to pray for priests?

Praying for priests is a simple and profound way of accompanying them in their mission. There are many ways to do this; an easy option within everyone's reach is to include them in our daily intentions: to dedicate a prayer for them, every day, as a pearl of love that enriches the Church.

You can also offer a rosario or the celebration of the Mass on their behalf; or participate in a ninth especially dedicated to his holiness and strength.

In addition, in moments of silence and meditation, they ask God to give them strength and wisdom to face the challenges of loneliness or misunderstandings. These prayers sustain them spiritually and remind them that they are not alone on their journey.

What is the prayer of the faithful for priests?

The prayer of the faithful is a punctual moment of the Holy Mass. Mass in which, united as one heart, we raise petitions to God for different intentions, among them, do not forget the sanctity of life and the mission of priests. In this prayer we pray for those who have dedicated themselves to the service of the Church.

This prayer is invaluable because we recognize that priests, like all human beings, need God's grace and strength to be faithful and helpful. It is a sign of gratitude, for in praying for them, we also recognize their sacrifice and dedication. This joint prayer reflects the desire of all to see priests as models of Christ who, like the good shepherd, cares for his flock with tenderness and courage.

What is intercessory prayer for priests?

Intercessory prayer is a prayer in which we ask God for the good of others, in this case, for priests.

• Intercession in times of crisisWhen the Church or priests are going through difficult times, praying makes a difference. Pope Francis has emphasized the importance of not judging priests harshly, but praying for them. In his homily delivered on June 23, 2014, the Pope stated, "Do not judge, because, if you do, when you do something wrong, you will be judged. It is a truth that is good to remember in everyday life, when we feel the urge to judge others, to criticize others, which is a form of judging. On the contrary, we should be men and women of prayer, intercede for others, especially in times of crisis, when they need more of God's grace and support.
• Daily intercession: Including priests in our daily prayers is a simple practice. This intercession can be integrated into the rosary, offering each mystery for their vocation, or in our morning and evening prayers, asking God to sustain and enlighten them.

Pray for priests

Prayer brings an incalculable richness to the Church through the gift of priestly ministry and consecrated life in its many charisms and institutions. We thank God for the life and witness of so many priests and people of consecrated life.

In the CARF Foundation we work with dedication to support the integral formation of diocesan priests from all parts of the world. This effort is possible thanks to the generosity of benefactors and friends and, above all, to the constant prayers of those who value the priestly mission.