Download a PDF of the prayer

Opening Prayer

Leader:
God created the world and all things in it and entrusted them into our hands that we might use them for our good and for the building up of the Church and human society. Today we pray for [N.], that God may strengthen [him/her] in [his/her] weakness, and restore [him/her] to the freedom of God's children. We pray also for ourselves that we may encourage and support [him/her] in the days ahead.

Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 121

All:
Our help is from the Lord who made heaven and earth.

Reader:
I lift up my eyes toward the mountains; whence shall help come to me? My help is from the LORD who made heaven and earth.

All:
Our help is from the Lord who made heaven and earth.

Reader:
May he not suffer your foot to slip; may he slumber not who guards you: Indeed he neither slumbers nor sleeps, the guardian of Israel.

All:
Our help is from the Lord who made heaven and earth.

Leader:
The LORD is your guardian; the LORD is your shade; he is beside you at your right hand. The sun shall not harm you by day, nor the moon by night.

All:
Our help is from the Lord who made heaven and earth.

Reader:
The LORD will guard you from all evil; he will guard your life. The LORD will guard your coming and your going, both now and forever.

All:
Our help is from the Lord who made heaven and earth.

Intercessions:

Leader:
Our God gives us life and constantly calls us to new life; let us pray to God with confidence. Please respond, Lord, hear our prayer.

For all of those struggling with addiction and substance abuse, that God may be their strength and support, we pray. Lord, hear our prayer.
For those gathered, that we may be a strength and support to encourage and assist all of those who struggle with addiction and substance abuse, we pray. Lord, hear our prayer.

That we may all trust in the mercy of God through whom all things are possible, we pray. Lord, hear our prayer.

For all who love someone struggling with addiction and substance abuse, may they have faith and patience as they show their love, we pray. Lord, hear our prayer.
For the Church, that it may always be attentive to those in need, we pray. Lord, hear our prayer.

Let us pray to our merciful God as Jesus taught us:

All:
Our Father …
All share a sign of peace

Prayer of Blessing

Leader:
Pray with me,

All:
God of mercy, we bless you in the name of your Son, Jesus Christ, who ministered to all who came to him. Give your strength to all of those struggling with addiction and substance abuse. Enfold them in your love and restore them to the freedom of God's children.

Look with compassion on all those who have lost their health and freedom. Restore to them the assurance of your unfailing mercy, and strengthen them in the work of recovery.

Grant patient understanding and a love that perseveres to those who care for them. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Suggested hymns:
"Shelter Me, O God" Bob Hurd, OCP Publications
"Come to Me" Michael Joncas, GIA Publications
"You Are Mine: David Haas, GIA Publications

Abbreviated from The Catholic Book of Blessings