Jan
18
2009
A Prayer for Life
O God of Beginnings,
You are the Creator of all life.
May you by your Holy Spirit
and by the voice of your church
lead your people to rescue innocent children from death
and bring those who participate in their death
to true repentance
that they may taste of your goodness and mercy.
Overcome evil with good
in the hearts of those who reject your truth.
Rebuke the enemy for the sake of innocent children
and for your sake, O Lord.
O great King of Kings,
let your kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven
for the sanctity of all human life.
You have said that your kingdom is justice, peace and joy
in the Holy Spirit.
Where there is unrighteousness
let righteousness come to bear,
where there is hostility
cause your peace to reign supreme,
where there is sorrow
bring joy in the hearts of people.
Lord Jesus Christ,
as you hung on the hard wooden cross,
you asked that those who were putting you to death
might be forgiven.
Please, O Lord,
help us to offer that same forgiveness
to those who participate in abortion, euthanasia,
the destruction of embryonic life
and who by other means violate the sanctity of human life,
that in all things
the world would know the height, the depth,
the breadth, and width of your love,
your mercy and your grace;
Hear our prayers as we cry out to you
to end the merciless shedding of innocent blood in our nation
and throughout the world.
Through death you have conquered death
and through your life we experience eternal and everlasting life.
Cause life to spring forth in the hearts of all people
and bring forth a love and respect for life
that will dominate our culture.
May your kingdom and church apprehend
and overtake the culture of death
that has prevailed through deceit and selfishness;
may the Seed of the woman crush the head of the serpent
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
- Priests for Life (adapted)