Prayer for the Unborn Child

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Almighty God, our Father,
you who have given us life 
and intended us to have it forever, 
grant us your blessings. 
Enlighten our minds to an awareness 
and to a renewed conviction 
that all human life is sacred 
because it is created 
in your image and likeness.  
Help us to teach by word 
and the example of our lives 
that life occupies the first place, 
that human life is precious 
because it is the gift of God 
whose love is infinite.  
Give us the strength to defend human life 
against every influence 
or action that threatens or weakens it, 
as well as the strength 
to make every life more human 
in all its aspects.  

Give us the grace...
When the sacredness of life 
before birth is attacked, 
to stand up and proclaim 
that no one ever has the authority 
to destroy unborn life.

When a child is described as a burden 
or is looked upon only as a means 
to satisfy an emotional need, 
to stand up 
and insist that every child is a unique 
and unrepeatable gift of God, 
a gift of God 
with a right to a loving 
and united family.

When the institution of marriage 
is abandoned to human selfishness 
or reduced to a temporary conditional arrangement 
that can easily be terminated, 
to stand up and affirm 
the indissolubility of the marriage bond.

When the value of the family is threatened 
because of social and economic pressure, 
to stand up and reaffirm 
that the family is necessary 
not only for the private good of every person, 
but also for the common good of every society, 
nation and state.

When freedom is used to dominate the weak, 
to squander natural resources and energy, 
to deny basic necessities to people, 
to stand up and affirm 
the demands of justice and social love.

Almighty Father, 
give us courage to proclaim the supreme dignity 
of all human life and to demand 
that society itself give its protection.  
We ask this in your name, 
through the redemptive act 
of your Son and in the Holy Spirit.

Amen.