Our mission is to build a civilization of love and life which upholds the dignity
and inviolability of all innocent human life, seeks objective moral Truth,
embraces the value of redemptive suffering, and yearns for the fullness of life
in eternal communion with God the Creator.
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Prayers for Peace and Upcoming Elections
Bearing in mind our nation’s challenges and the particularly urgent need for wise, moral, civic leadership in addressing them, the Call to Prayer will be adapted beginning Friday, September 9, 2016 – Friday, November 11, 2016 to highlight certain time-sensitive matters of national concern. This is being done in collaboration with other USCCB offices including the Department of Justice, Peace and Human Development; the Secretariat of Laity, Marriage, Family Life and Youth; the Secretariat of Evangelization and Catechesis; Government Relations, and Religious Liberty.
On Friday, September 9, the intention will highlight the National Day of Prayer for Peace in Our Communities, and the focus for the remaining nine weeks will be on the upcoming elections. In addition to the current invitation to fast on Fridays, participants will be encouraged to pray one Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory Be for the week’s intention and for our civic leaders and upcoming elections.
In case diocesan and/or parish staff would like to share or expand upon this effort, a list of these specific intentions and accompanying, shareable images will be accessible at www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/take-action-now/call-to-prayer/prayer-intentions.cfm. Links to resources for the National Day of Prayer and Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship are accessible from there as well. New participants can sign up at www.usccb.org/pray to receive these and the continuing weekly intentions via email, text message, or the Facebook page.
Thank you for your continued, prayerful leadership in facing the many challenges present in our nation.
Prayer Before An Election
Oración Para Antes De Unas Elecciones
Lord God, as the election approaches,
we seek to better understand the issues and concerns that confront our city/state/country,
and how the Gospel compels us to respond as faithful citizens in our community.
We ask for eyes that are free from blindness
so that we might see each other as brothers and sisters,
one and equal in dignity,
especially those who are victims of abuse and violence, deceit and poverty.
We ask for ears that will hear the cries of children unborn and those abandoned,
Men and women oppressed because of race or creed, religion or gender.
We ask for minds and hearts that are open to hearing the voice of leaders who will bring us closer to your Kingdom.
We pray for discernment
so that we may choose leaders who hear your Word,
live your love,
and keep in the ways of your truth
as they follow in the steps of Jesus and his Apostles
and guide us to your Kingdom of justice and peace.
We ask this in the name of your Son Jesus Christ and through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Señor Dios,
a medida que se acercan las elecciones,
buscamos entender mejor los temas y preocupaciones que afronta nuestra ciudad/nuestro estado/nuestro país,
y cómo el Evangelio nos apremia a responder a estos retos como ciudadanos fieles de nuestra comunidad.
Te pedimos que nuestros ojos no sufran de ceguera
para que así podamos ver a los demás como hermanos y hermanas nuestros,
quienes gozan de una dignidad que nos une y nos hace iguales.
De manera especial te pedimos que reconozcamos como hermanos y hermanas
a quienes son víctimas de abusos y de la violencia, de los engaños y de la pobreza.
Te pedimos que nuestros oídos escuchen el llanto de los niños aún no nacidos y de quienes han sido abandonados,
que escuchemos el llanto de los hombres y mujeres que son oprimidos a causa de su raza o credo, religión o género.
Te pedimos para que nuestra mente y nuestro corazón estén abiertos a escuchar
la voz de los líderes que nos acercan cada vez más a tu Reino.
Te pedimos por el don del discernimiento
para que elijamos líderes que escuchan tu Palabra,
viven en tu amor
y caminan por la senda de tu verdad,
a medida que siguen el camino de Jesús y sus Apóstoles
y nos guían hacia tu Reino de paz y justicia.
Te lo pedimos por tu Hijo Jesucristo, a través del poder del Espíritu Santo,
Amén.
Call to Prayer Intentions
September 9 through November 11, 2016
Friday, September 9
On this National Day of Prayer we pray for peace in our communities.
Friday, September 16
As we prepare for the national & local elections, may our political engagement be guided by our Catholic Faith.
Friday, September 23
May all people understand the moral and ethical dimensions of political decisions and decide accordingly.
Friday, September 30
May all Americans recall the necessity of dialogue, civility, and humility in this election season.
Friday, October 7
Through Our Lady of the Rosary’s aid, may voters & elected leaders uphold the dignity of human life in their political engagement.
Friday, October 14
May Catholics recall all aspects of Catholic Social Teaching as they consider their votes.
Friday, October 21
May there be a transformation of politics to focus on the dignity of the human person and the common good.
Friday, October 28
May we keep in mind the gift of religious freedom and our duty to defend and exercise it as faithful citizens.
Friday, November 4
As we approach the polls, may we understand & embrace the principles of our Faith that should guide our political engagement.
Tuesday, November 8 (Special on Election Day)
Today we pray for a peaceful, just, and grace-filled election.
Friday, November 11
May the leaders elected this week be guided by the Holy Spirit as they fulfill their positions.
Related weekly social media graphics will be posted to the Call to Pray website at www.usccb.org/pray.
