Prayer & Fasting on First
Fridays for Pro-life Intentions
And he said to them, “This kind
cannot be driven out by anything but prayer and fasting.”
Mark 9:29
Fasting Suggestions
Fasting is closely connected to prayer; it strengthens
virtue, inspires mercy, implores divine assistance and leads to conversion
of heart. Fasting has an important place in all the great religions. The
Old Testament lists fasting among the corner-stones of the spirituality of
Israel. Before beginning his public mission, Jesus, driven by the Holy
Spirit, fasted for forty days.
The essence of fasting consists
of taking only one full meal each day. By custom, and since the Church
does not require that the faithful injure their health or be wanting in
the necessary strength for daily work, two other meatless meals each day
are permitted. No specific amount is prescribed for these two meals except
that together they should not equal one full meal in amount.
The Catholic Encyclopedia,
Robert C. Broderick, editor. 1987
You can also give up certain foods, alcohol, or smoking,
as well as forms of entertainment such as television, movies, music or
recreation.
Those with eating disorders or medical conditions are strongly advised not
to fast and may choose some other sacrifice instead.
Suggested Prayers
-
Holy Mass
-
adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
-
the Rosary
-
the Prayer to St. Michael
-
the Archdiocesan Pro-life prayer
There is no recommended ‘amount’ of prayer. Rather, offer
prayers that are sincere and significant given your schedule, obligations
and other prayer commitments. Some will be able to make regular Holy
Hours. Others will remember the pro-life intentions throughout a busy day
and offer short prayers.
All of us can begin and end our activities in prayer and offer them too
for the pro-life intentions.
Please do remember the specific pro-life intentions when you pray. It is
better to be specific when you ask, and it is better to ask along with
others. Jesus said, “if two of you agree on earth about anything they
ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven.” (Mt. 18:20)
Praying together is especially powerful and recommended. “For where two
or three are gathered in my name, there I am in the midst of them.” (Mt.
18:20)
Pro-life Intentions
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January
Pray that all mothers and fathers will be accepting of the gift
of new life. |
February
Pray for the Holy Father, Archbishop Exner, the clergy and
religious of the Archdiocese, that they will always stand firm in
their defense of life. |
March
Pray for Dr. Henry Morgentaler, and all doctors who perform
abortions that they will accept that all life is sacred. |
|
April
Pray for the elderly and those in care homes that they will be
given the dignity and respect that they deserve. |
May
Pray for the success of the ‘Focus on Life’ fundraising dinner. |
June
Pray for Crisis Pregnancy Centres in the lower Mainland, that
they will be a source of love to all the pregnant women in their
care. |
|
July
Pray for all organizations who work for life in our
communities. |
August
Pray for all politicians that they may have the courage to
enact laws that protect life from its beginning to its natural
end. |
September
Pray for the pro-life representatives in our parishes as they
work to promote the cause of life. |
|
October
Pray for all who are suffering from the pain of an abortion,
that they may turn to God in all His mercy and experience healing. |
November
Pray for disabled persons that they will be valued and accepted
in our society. |
December
Pray for all who suffer for their faith and in the defense of
human life. |
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