Saturday, July 28, 2012

A PRAYER FOR THOSE WHO GOVERN US

We beg You, O Almighty and Eternal God our Father, who through Jesus Christ reveals Your glory to all nations, all people, preserve the works of Your mercy; grant that Your Church, spread throughout the world, continues with unchanging faith to proclaim Your Name, Abba, and to preach the Gospel of Life. We pray You O Merciful Father of might, wisdom, justice, from Whom all authority on earth originates, that all those with governing authority govern rightly, administer and defend Your laws, judge according to Your mercy, defend life from conception to natural death, defend and protect the sacredness of marriage and family life, never over burden citizens with excessive taxes or laws which abridge authentic freedom, and that they care for the poor and the vulnerable. Grant the Holy Spirit to those who govern, with His gifts of truth, wisdom, righteousness, charity, compassion so that those who govern us encourage respect for virtue and religion, proclaim and execute laws replete with justice and mercy which will restrain moral disorder and divisions between peoples. Grant too that the light of Your wisdom shines forth in the deliberations of all national, international, local bodies of governance so that all laws which they frame are for the true good of Your sons and daughters, protect the sacredness of life, of the family, promote the just distribution of the goods of the earth, enhance peace among nations, show due care for the environment, a just wage for workers, proper care of the poor, the sick, the elderly. O Father we commend to Your unbounded love and mercy all our fellow citizens of the earth, may all come to know, receive, follow Your Son Jesus Christ our Saviour, opening their hearts to the sanctifying action of the Most Holy Spirit, living under the protective mantle of love of the Most Blessed Virgin Mary so that everyone will live according to Your Holy Will with true love for one another. We ask this in the Name of Jesus Christ, Your Son Our Lord who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and always and forever and ever. Amen. [inspired by a prayer composed by Archbishop John Carroll in 1791]