Heavenly Father, when Jesus was on earth he healed all those who had need of healing. Today I pray for all the doctors in the world. Help them to remember that you have honored them by giving them the task and privilege of continuing Christ’s healing ministry. Give them knowledge in their minds, gentleness in their hands and sympathy in their hearts. Help them always to remember that when people come to them with various illnesses, they are frightened and nervous, and help them to try to bring to their patients not only healing for their bodies, but also solace and support to their minds and hearts. Help them never to lose the thrill of bringing new life into the world and never to become callous to the pathos of parting in death. Give doctors skill to heal people’s diseases, to ease their pains and to bring peace to their troubled minds. Through the intercession of St Anthony de Padua, I ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Heavenly Father, today make me strong to know when I am weak; brave to face dangers; proud and unbending in honest defeat; humble and gentle in victory. Lord, help me to know that the foundation stone of knowledge is to know you and know myself well. Lead me Lord, not in the path of ease and comfort but under the stress and spur of difficulties and challenges as you led Jesus. Help me to stand up to storms and to be compassionate towards those who fall. Help me to master myself before I try to master others and reach the future without forgetting the past. Give me humility, so that I understand the simplicity of true greatness, open-mindedness of true wisdom and meekness of true strength. Through the intercession of St Anthony de Padua, I ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Heavenly Father, as I begin this new day in your presence, I ask you to teach me how to pray, live and serve as Jesus once taught his apostles. Teach me what I ought to say when I pray, so that I pray like Jesus did. Teach me, Lord, how to live today, so that I give you my best and live like Jesus did. Teach me Lord, how to serve today, so that I do what I should do, observe your holy will, and serve as Jesus did. Through the intercession of St Anthony de Padua, I ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Heavenly Father, today I pray for all the fathers in our families: help them to be true to the great privilege of and the responsibilities which you have given them. Help them to be an example and a friend to their children and a loving and devoted partner to their wives. Don't let them get so busy with work and other social engagements, that they are almost strangers in their own homes. Don’t let them take all that is done for them for granted. Help them to keep the flame of love alive and bright within their homes. Give them health, strength and work to earn a living for those who depend on them: but help them to remember that love and concern are always more important than money and all other material possessions. Lord, help all fathers of families to be true to their vocation as heads of their families. Through the intercession of St Anthony de Padua, I ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Heavenly Father, I wish to pray today for all the mothers in the world. Help them to remember that you have given them the most important task in the world: the task of making a home and nurturing the growth of their children in to men and women of character! Help them to remember this when they are tired of making beds, washing clothes, cooking meals, cleaning floors, mending clothes and standing in queues in the shops. Help them to remember this when they are physically tired in body and when they are weary in mind with their routine chores. Help them not to get annoyed when they are taken for granted, and when no one in the house thinks of the extra work caused for them by the thoughtlessness of some in the home. Lord, bless all mothers and reward them generously for the love they continually pour on all in their homes, through so many little and big chores they attend to with pure love, without expecting anything in return. Through the intercession of St Anthony de Padua, I ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Heavenly Father, today I pray for the nurses all over the world. Help them to love the work they do in the healing ministry. Make them feel that they are really helping you when they serve their patients. Help them at all times to have patience with the unreasonable, the querulous and the irritating; to have sympathy with the frightened and the nervous. Let them never neglect those who are uncomplaining and quiet. When people inquire how their loved ones are faring, help them to remember how worried and anxious people can be, and to do their best to assist. Give them, Lord, skill combined with gentleness. Give them efficiency blended with kindness. Make them firm, but understanding too. Help them to be diligent in their work and to see Jesus in the people they help to heal. Through the intercession of St Anthony de Padua, I ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Heavenly Father, as I begin this new day, forgive me for the times when I was stubborn and obstinate; for the times when I was careless and forgetful; for the times when I was selfish and unhelpful; for the times when I was far too slow to learn. Forgive me for the times when I was late and kept people waiting; for the times when I argued when I should have been quiet; for the times when I got in other peoples’ way and created unpleasant scenes. Help me Lord, to make an effort to always make things easier and not difficult for people with whom I live or work. Help me to assist people rather than be an obstacle on their way. Through the intercession of St Anthony de Padua, I ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.