Octave of Prayer for Christian Unity [Day 5]

On the fifth day of the octave of prayer for Christian unity, we pray for unity in our own country, where our actions have the most direct effect to promote good or evil. [What is God calling you to do?]

In the United States, today is also a day of penance in reparation for the judicial decision 43 years ago today that stripped the unborn of the legal protections they once had, and for the nearly unspeakable crime of tens of millions of lives snuffed out as a result of that decision.

May all Christians (and all people of good will) unite to protect innocent and helpless unborn babies.

Lord, please soften the hardened hearts of those that would kill, and let them find hope and repentance and peace in You, Who are all-good, all-loving, all-just, and all-merciful. We ask this in the Holy Name of Jesus, Your Son, Who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, One God, always and forever. Amen.

+++

ANTIPHON: That they all may be one, as Thou, Father, in me and I in Thee; that they also may be one in Us; that the world may believe that Thou hast sent me.

V. I say unto thee, thou art Peter;

R. And upon this rock I will build my Church.

That the Christians in our country may be one, in union with the Chair of Saint Peter.

Let us pray. Blessed Lord Jesus Christ, who saidst unto Thine apostles, "Peace I leave with you, My peace I give unto you;" regard not our sins, but the faith of Thy Church, and grant unto her that peace and unity which is according to Thy will, Who livest and reignest with the Father and the Holy Ghost, one God, now and ever.

O gracious Father, we humbly beseech thee for Thy holy Catholic Church; that Thou wouldst be pleased to fill it with all truth, in all peace. Where it is corrupt, purify it; where it it in error, direct it; where in anything it is amiss, reform it. Where it is right, establish it; where it is in want, provide for it; where it is divided, reunite it; for the sake of Him who died and rose again, and ever liveth to make intercession for us, Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord.

O God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, our only Saviour, The Prince of Peace; Give us grace seriously to lay to heart the great dangers we are in by our unhappy divisions. Take away all hatred and prejudice, and whatsoever else may hinder us from godly union and concord: that as there is but one Body and one Spirit, and one hope of our calling, one Lord, one Faith, one Baptism, one God and Father of us all, so we may be all of one heart and of one soul, united in one holy bond of truth and peace, of faith and charity, and may with one mind and one mouth glorify Thee; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

+++


Powerpoint presentation from Sword and Spirit