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Intercessions for Life: Respect Life Month 2017
Intercessions for Life: January 2018
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But first... Q & A
Intercessions for Life: Respect Life Month 2017
Intercessions for Life: January 2018
Butfirst… Q & A
What are these?
"Intercessions for Life"
contains two sets of prayer intentions related to respect for all human life.
The first set relates to
a broad spectrum of life issues from the perspective of the theme, "Be Not
Afraid."
The second set contains intentions
highlighting issues more specifically related to unborn children, as well as
some intentions that are more general.
Who are they for?
Lectors; priests and deacons; Catholic educators; parish bulletin editors; catechists; leaders in pro-life, youth, young adult, or campus ministry; Catholic communications; individuals; etc.
When do I use them?
You are welcome to use these intentions at any time. For your convenience, some dates are also suggested.
The first set was developed with Respect Life Sunday (October 1, 2017) in mind, and the second set with the Day of Prayer for the Legal Protection of Unborn Children (Monday, January 22, 2018) in mind.
You could also use any of the intentions on Friday, January 19 (the 2018 March for Life); the day of a local pro-life march/rally; or Monday, April 9 (the 2018 celebration of the Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord).
What are some ideas for using them?
- Use during the Prayer of the Faithful in a
Mass for Respect Life Sunday, Respect Life Month, or the Day of Prayer for the
Legal Protection of Unborn Children.
- Use as inspiration for a homily given on one
of the previously mentioned days.
- Include an intention in the parish
bulletin on one of the dates mentioned or at another time that naturally
relates to the topic. (For example, November is often recognized as "Adoption
Awareness Month," so the intention relating to adoption could be included one
of the Sundays in November.
- Begin class (high school, RCIA, religious
education, etc.) with prayer and include one or more of the intentions.
Consider spending time discussing the intention chosen.
- Ask students to use as inspiration for a
written reflection or digital presentation (prepared in class or for homework).
Have them connect one of the intentions to something they are learning in
class.
- Use as inspiration for a talk or class
lecture, or incorporate into a regularly-planned talk or lecture that addresses
related concepts.
- Review these intentions and incorporate,
as applicable, when you address a related topic as part of regular programming
(youth ministry, religious education, high school classes and/or retreats,
etc.)
- Use as inspiration to write about the
theme "Be Not Afraid," and publish your piece in Catholic communications
(parish e-newsletter, parish bulletin, diocesan newspaper, etc.)
- Use for individual prayer and reflection. To go a step further, pick one of the topics to learn more about, and/or consider how you can become more involved in bringing Christ's love to the people you've been praying for—especially those who are suffering.
October 1, 2017: Respect Life Sunday
PRINT: Respect Life Month Intercessions
(en español)
For all people:
May God grant us courage to embrace
his precious gift of life,
even in the most difficult of circumstances;
We pray to the Lord:
For
the times we are afraid to welcome life:
May
the Lord fill our hearts with
confidence
in His loving care
and provide
for every need;
We pray to the Lord:
For
all Catholics:
May
the real presence of Jesus in the Eucharist
strengthen
us in protecting his gift of life;
We pray to the Lord:
For
the times we are pressured
to
compromise respect for human life:
May
the Lord strengthen
our
courage and resolve;
We pray to the Lord:
May
the Holy Spirit reveal to each of us
how
we are called to use our gifts
in
sharing the Gospel of life and joy;
We pray to the Lord:
For
those facing difficult medical decisions:
May
they receive the Lord's guidance and peace
as
they listen for his voice;
We pray to the Lord:
For
expectant mothers
whose
hearts are troubled:
May
they receive helpful, loving support
for
themselves and their baby;
We pray to the Lord:
For
the times we doubt the value of our lives:
May we
rest in the awareness that we are infinitely
loved, and that God has a plan for
our lives;
We pray to the Lord:
For
those condemned to die and for their families:
May
the hope of the Resurrection
strengthen
them in their time of sorrow:
We pray to the Lord:
May
God grant us the eyes to see
and
the hearts to love
those
who need us to walk with them
in
times of suffering;
We pray to the Lord:
May
God bless all those
for
whom adoption is part of their life story;
We pray to the Lord:
For
caregivers:
May
Christ give them wisdom
and fill
their hearts with peace and strength;
We pray to the Lord:
For
women and men suffering after abortion:
May
God grant them courage to seek
healing
and peace through the Church's
post-abortion
healing ministry;
We pray to the Lord:
For
those longing for a child:
May
God comfort them
with
the assurance of his steadfast love;
We pray to the Lord:
January 22, 2018: Day of Prayer for the Legal Protection of Unborn Children
PRINT: January 2018 Intercessions
For
bishops and priests:
Through
their ministry,
may those
who are afraid
be
strengthened with the peace of God;
We pray to the Lord:
For
our nation:
May
God unite us in peace
and
respect for each other
and
all human life;
We pray to the Lord:
For
public servants:
May
God grant them the humility, wisdom,
and
courage to defend all human life;
We pray to the Lord:
May
the Lord grant to us
understanding
hearts,
that
we may treasure his gift of life;
We pray to the Lord:
May
the merciful and gracious Spirit of God
help
us protect and care for each person's life;
We pray to the Lord:
May
God grant us the wisdom and courage
to
lovingly protect his gift of human life
at
every stage, in sickness and in health;
We pray to the Lord:
For
those who feel alone in their grief
following
an abortion:
May
they deeply experience
the
Lord's mercy and healing;
We pray to the Lord:
For
those who have participated in abortion
and
long for reconciliation with God:
May
they find healing and peace through
the
Sacrament of Reconciliation;
We pray to the Lord:
For
those suffering the loss of a child:
May
Christ comfort them
with
his everlasting love;
We pray to the Lord:
For
parents who receive
a
difficult prenatal diagnosis:
May
they be strengthened by the assurance
of
God's loving plan for their child's life;
We
pray to the Lord:
For
people with disabilities:
May
they be treated with the loving care
and
respect due to each person;
We pray to the Lord:
For
those facing unexpected pregnancies:
May God
provide for their every need
in
welcoming their child;
We pray to the Lord:
For
those whose hearts ache
for a
child of their own:
May
they experience the Lord's presence
and
be filled with his peace;
We pray to the Lord:
May
friends and families of women
who
are unexpectedly pregnant
provide
loving, life-affirming support
for
both mother and child;
We pray to the Lord:
For
medical professionals:
May
respect for each person's life
characterize
their every action;
We pray to the Lord: