Intercessions for the Anniversary of the Supreme Court
Abortion Decisions (January 22, 2000)
(The response to these intercessions is "Lord of life, hear us" or whatever response the community wishes to use. Additional intercessions for the local community and its needs should be added to the following, which may be selected and freely adapted to the community and to particular circumstances, and which may be used throughout the liturgical year.)
Presider: Gathered together by the God who teaches us compassion and kindness, and who guides the humble in the ways of justice, let us pray for the needs of the human family.
Deacon or Lector: For the leaders of the Church, that they may be given wisdom and a sense of justice to speak words of life to a world overshadowed by a cult of death, we pray:
For those who govern us, especially President Clinton, the members of Congress and of the Supreme Court, that they may frame laws that are life-giving, protecting all those who are unable to protect themselves, we pray:
For all mothers, particularly those who are with child, that they may be supported by loved ones and warm friends, and that they may be understood and blessed, we pray:
For those who mourn the death of a child, that they may be given the strength and courage to face the future, and that we may be given the understanding and compassion to say the right words in their times of need, we pray:
For those who work to defend the lives of the unborn; the sick, the infirm, and the aged; those who defend humanity's inalienable right to life, we pray:
For those who are dying, that they may await your call with calm and dignity, we pray:
Priest: Loving God, whose divine tenderness ever out-soars the narrow loves and charities of earth, grant us kind and gentle hearts. And may we learn that love towards one another is the imitation of your blessed self.
We ask this through Christ, your Son, our Lord.
Assembly: Amen.