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Antiterrorism Prayers
Prayers for Other Societal Challenges


 
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Pope Benedict XVI celebrates the Eucharist at the canonization of Frei Galvão in São Paulo, Brazil on 11 May 2007    
(photo credit Fabio Pozzebom/ABr - Agência Brasil;)
Antiterrorism Prayers
 
  • For Manchester and For All of Us: May, 2017
    Lord,
    deliver us from the scourge of violence,
    comfort those who suffer bodily injury and the heartbreaking loss of loved ones,
    change the hearts of those who sow the seeds of violence and destruction,
    enable our resolve this day and every day to live in peace will all we meet,
    renew our hope when we feel helpless before whatever would diminish us,
    lead us to the dawn of new life. Amen
  • Prayer for Those Murdered and Injured in Baghdad Terrorist Attack on July 3, 2016
     Lord, grant your eternal love and peace for all those killed in the recent terrorist attack in Baghdad.
    Help comfort their families and friends, and protect all who are at risk of harm from those who do not understand your infinite
    love and compassion. Help heal those who have been injured and bless all those who care for them.
    We also pray for you to inspire our national leaders to better understand the multitude of factors that motivate
    those who join terrorist organizations so that we can more effectively reduce their inspiration to become terrorists,
    and eventually end all terrorism.
  • Prayer for the Victims of Violence and Terrorism in Nice, France.
    Loving God,
    Welcome into your arms the victims of violence and terrorism.
    Comfort their families and all who grieve for them.
    Help us in our fear and uncertainty,
    And bless us with the knowledge that we are secure in your love.
    Strengthen all those who work for peace,
    And may the peace the world cannot give reign in our hearts.
    Amen
  • Prayer for Those Murdered and Injured in the Shootings in Orlando
    Lord. we we ask you to welcome all those who have been murdered in Orlando into the eternity of you love .Please help those who have been injured and comfort the family members and friends of those who have been shot  May the blood of those who have died by violence spur those living amidst bloodshed and violence to work for peace and justice for all people and an end of terrorism,     we pray to the Lord.
  • Prayer for Those Murdered and Injured in Bangladesh
    O God, we pray for those who murdered and injured in the     Bangladesh terrorist attach and for the first responders
    who rescued many of the hostages.  May     your infinite love comfort those who were taken from their loved ones,
    and allow those who were harmed to recover quickly and return to those who also love them.
    Amen.
  • Prayer for Those Murdered and Injured at the Ataturk airport.
     Loving God, welcome into your arms the victims of terrorism at the Ataturk airport.
    Comfort their families and all who grieve for them.
    We also pray for the recovery of those who were injured.
    Help us in our fear and uncertainty,
    Enlighten our global leaders with the wisdom to reduce and end the terrorism that
    has affected the lives of our neighbors whom we love
    Amen
  • Prayer for the Victims of Violence in Munich
     Loving God,
    Welcome into your arms the victims of violence and terrorism.
    Comfort their families and all who grieve for them.
    Help us in our fear and uncertainty,
    And bless us with the knowledge that we are secure in your love.
    Strengthen all those who work for peace,
    And may the peace the world cannot give reign in our hearts.
    Amen

 
Prayers for Other Societal Challenges
  • A Prayer for our Muslim Brothers and Sisters
     by John T. Pawlikowski, OSM, Ph.D.
  • Prayer to End Gun Violence
    Lord Jesus, as you approached the city of Jerusalem,
    Before your passion,
      As you people waved palms in your honor,
      You saw the city and wept over it because you
           Loved it.
      You knew of the violence and chaos you would suffer
       In that beloved city
     still you loved it and wept over it.

    Lord Jesus, look upon our cities, weep over them,
       Love them and protect them.
       Weep over us and strengthen us as we suffer
    Violence and chaos.
    Weep over us and love us.
    Lord Jesus, weep over us and love us.     
        (See Lk 19)
    Submitted by Father David O. Brown, OSM
  • Prayer for the Nuns Murdered in Mississippi
    Dear God,
     Sister Paul Merrill and Sister Margaret Held have been violently taken from us.
    Have mercy on them and comfort their families, friends, and the many whom they have served
    We ask this through Christ our Lord.
    Amen.
  • Prayer for Victims of the Earthquake in Italy
     We mourn the death and destruction in Italy, O Lord,
    And we pray for those who died in this recent disaster.
    May their souls rest in peace.
    May their families be comforted.|
    We pray for the living survivors.
    Be with them, Lord, in this traumatic time.
    May they experience Your healing,
    In their spirits as well as their bodies.
    We pray for the communities affected.
    May they come together in solidarity
    To rebuild and to affirm new life
    Amid the ancient stones.
     by Jane Deren
  • Prayer for Peace in Syria
    We have been crying to you for peace in Syria; for an end to killing and despair, an end to hostilities on all sides.
    We cry to you for humanitarian aid to reach those most in need.We beseech you for the rebuilding of ruined homes, businesses and communities.
    We long for the repairing of the breach and the restoration of streets where your children may dwell in harmony.
    We cry out that justice, truth and love may prevail for all the people of Syria.We pray in the name of the Prince of Peace, Jesus Christ our Lord.
    Amen.
  • Prayer for Fr. Jacques Hamel who was Murdered at Mass in Saint­Etienne­du­Rouvray, France
         Lord , we know that you have welcomed Fr. Jacques into your eternal love and his joy in being united with you. We  pray that you comfort his family,
    parishioners, and     all who grieve and are frightened by his murder.
  • Prayer for the Victims of Violence in Fort Myers
         Welcome the victims of violence     in Fort Myers
    and help those injured recover from heir wounds.
     Comfort  families of those murdered and injured.
    and inspire our leaders to provide the educational; mental health, and financial support to all communities
    that will help reduce this violence    .
  • Our Thoughts and Prayers are with Baton Rouge Police
         Dallas Police Chief David O. Brown
  • Prayer for the Police Officers Murdered and Injured in Baton Rouge Police Shootings
     Lord .welcome those loved police officers whose lives were taken in Baton Rouge as they risked their lives to protect us from harm
    Help heal those who were injured, and bless all those who serve to protect     us from harm.
  • Prayers for the Police Officers Murdered and Injured in Dallas Police Sniper Shootings
     We pray to you Lord to welcome those brave police whose lives were taken in Dallas while protecting the lives of those who were marching to improve race relations in the United States. Help heal those who were injured, and bless all those who serve to protect their neighbors from hated and violence.
    Prayer for our Police Officers
    We pray for our police officers and all men and women who protect and serve us.
    May God watch over you and protect you.
         Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Dallas, TX
  • Prayer to End Violence
    For all who live amidst bloodshed and violence: that the blood of those who have died may spur the living to work for peace and justice for all people and an end to terrorism, we pray to the Lord.
    • We also pray to better love our neighbor and demonstrate our love with respect for all human life and assistance to all those in need.
  • Prayers for the Police Officers Murdered and Injured in Dallas Police Sniper Shootings
     We pray to you Lord to welcome those brave police whose lives were taken in Dallas while protecting the lives of those who were marching to improve race relations in the United States. Help heal those who were injured, and bless all those who serve to protect their neighbors from hated and violence,
  • The Police Officer's Prayer to St. Michael
    You know, Saint Michael, from your own experiences with the devil that the police officer's lot on earth is not always a happy one;
    but your sense of duty that so pleased God, your hard knocks that so surprised the devil,
    and your angelic self-control give us inspiration.
    And when we lay down our night sticks, enroll us in your heavenly force,
    where we will be as proud to guard the
    throne of God as we have been to guard the city of all the people. Amen.     
  • Prayer for Philando Castile
     Lord, welcome Philando into your eternal love and reward him for his kindness to all those whose lives he has touched.
     T.J. Martinez
  • Prayer for Alton Sterling
     We pray to you, :Lord. to welcome Alton to your loving care and comfort his family
  • Prayers for Yummy Sandifer, Dantrell Davis, Ryan Harris, Eric Morse, Derrion Albert, Blair Holt, Jonylah Watkins,
    and the hundreds of other children murdered and whom continue to be murdered in Chicago
     O God, we pray for those who have been murdered on the streets of our city.
    We commit to your loving care those who have died, beseeching you to receive
    their souls into the mercy of your love. Comfort their loved ones who mourn.
    Enable them to meet the lonely and painful days ahead in the strength of your love.
    Let the love that you have made known to us lead us to create safer streets for all to walk upon.
    Amen
    Vienna Cobb Anderson
  • Prayer for Those Who Died in the West Virginia Floods
    You created a world for us
    To know your love and peace
    Yet amidst the beauty of creation
    We encounter pain and hurt
    And forces beyond our control.
    At times like this. our hearts are shaken and ache with sorrow
    At the destruction of our lives, homes and livelihoods.
    Hear our prayers for those who have died in the West Virginia  floods
    and welcome them to your eternal love
    Amen
  • Prayer for Lane Graves
         To You, O Lord, we humbly entrust this child, so precious in Your sight.
    Take him/her into Your arms and welcome him/her into paradise,
    where there will be no sorrow, no weeping nor pain,
    but the fullness of peace and joy with Your Son and the Holy Spirit
    forever and ever. Amen.
  • Prayer for Migrants
         For all those who see “home” and all it means
    Disappear behind them;
    For all those who cannot see a home
    In the days ahead of them;
    For all those who dwell in
    Daily insecurity;
    For all those who are weary and
    Without a safe place to rest their heads;
    For all families in migration we pray.
    May the image of the Holy Family
    Fleeing oppression stay with us as we enter a New Year,
    And stay with us each night as we are blessed
    With returning to a home.
    May we also be blessed
    With compassion for those
    Still weary, still seeking,
    Still with so far to go.
    by Jane Deren, 2007
  • Prayer for Nations Facing a Debt Crisis
  • Prayers to End Human Trafficking