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Reflect on These Prayers for the Unborn

“Only with prayer—prayer that storms the heavens for justice and mercy, prayer that cleanses our hearts and souls—will the culture of death that surrounds us today be replaced with a culture of life.” — U.S. Catholic Bishops

January 22 has been designated by the General Instruction of the Roman Missal as “a particular day of prayer for the full restoration of the legal guarantee of the right to life and of penance for violations to the dignity of the human person committed through acts of abortion.” On this occasion, we are reminded of all of those affected by the legalization of abortion – from the babies whose lives are tragically ended, to the mothers convinced that abortion is their only option, to those working in the abortion industry. As you pray for those in your community who are struggling to choose life, we encourage you to reflect on these prayers.


Mary depicted with the child Jesus in the Our Lady of Hostyn Chapel in the Basilica.

A Prayer for Life

Father and maker of all, you adorn all creation with splendor and beauty, and fashion human lives in your image and likeness.

Awaken in every heart reverence for the work of your hands, and renew among your people a readiness to nurture and sustain your precious gift of life.

Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God forever and ever.

Amen

Woman praying at the National Prayer Vigil for Life in January, 2016.

Intercessory Prayers for Life

For those who provide or cooperate in abortions, that by our love for the truth and for them, they might turn from darkness and death…

For all who work in abortions clinics: that through the intercession of the Mother of God, they might come to love the unborn child…

For all who do not embrace the rights of the unborn, that, in love, they may come to know and treasure the infinite value of every human person…

We pray to the Lord. 

The Madonna and Child featured in the Byzantine Ruthenian Chapel at the Basilica.

Prayer for Life and Dignity

Eternal God, creator and sustainer of life, bless us with the courage to defend all life from conception to natural death.

Bless us with the strength to respect all peoples from east to west, from north to south, so that we may truly follow the call of Jesus to be neighbor.

We ask this in the name of Jesus, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit.

Amen


Sources:

A Prayer for Life, USCCB

Intercessory Prayers for Life, USCCB

Prayer for Life and Dignity, USCCB

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