January 24, 2016: Pro-Life Prayer led by the Legion of Mary at the March for Life Rally at Greenwood Park
Left to Right: Roxana Venegas, Dalia Rogers, Dr. Irma Montemayor, Dr. Marian Casillas
2016 Del Rio March for Life Pro-Life Prayer
Dr. Marian Casillas
Part 1 “We turn to
You, O Lord.”
On behalf of unborn children everywhere . . .On behalf
of abused or neglected infants and children . . .On behalf of children who’ve
been made to feel unloved or unwanted . . .On behalf of children who are
trapped in poverty . . .On behalf of children whose lives are scarred by
violence . . .On behalf of children who suffer from poor health or disease . .
.On behalf of children who lack adequate food, shelter, clothing, or education.
On behalf of mothers and fathers who are struggling to
care for their children . . . On behalf of parents who have no one to help them
. . .On behalf of parents who have lost a child to violence . . .On behalf of
parents who feel overwhelmed by their responsibilities.
On behalf of parents who grieve over their children’s
sufferings . . .On behalf of unwed mothers trying to do the right thing . . .On
behalf of women who feel pressured into having an abortion . . .On behalf of
fathers who are given no say in whether their unborn children live or die . . .
On behalf of women who now regret having had an abortion . . .On behalf of men
who now regret having arranged an abortion for their wives, girlfriends, or
daughters.
On behalf of medical personnel who now regret their
involvement in any form of abortion . . .On behalf of all survivors of abortion
. . .On behalf of politicians who’ve opposed abortion at the risk of their own
political careers . . .On behalf of those leaders in our society who are trying
to respect the gift of life . . . On behalf of our president, that he may lead
our nation with wisdom and integrity.
On behalf of the unsung heroes of the pro-life
movement . . .On behalf of our pro-life comrades who’ve gone before us into the
new life of Your Kingdom . . .On behalf of all Americans who seek to cherish
and defend Your gift of life.
Dalia Rogers
Part 2 “Forgive us,
O Lord.”
For the times we’ve not appreciated Your gift of life
. . .For our failures to respect and acknowledge the dignity of others . . .For
the ways we’ve not done our part to defend human life . . .For the times we’ve
been lazy or complacent in opposing euthanasia and abortion . . . For failing
to take seriously our responsibilities as citizens.
For the ways we’ve relied only on ourselves, and not
on Your grace . . .For the times we’ve been silent instead of speaking out in
defense of life . . .For failing to love our political opponents as much as we
should . . .For the ways we’ve not shown enough compassion for all the victims
of abortion.
On behalf of our society and its efforts to devalue
human life and dignity . . .On behalf of our nation and its failures to extend
legal protection to the unborn . . .On behalf of our world and the constant
violence it allows against innocent men, women, and children.
Roxana Venegas
Part 3 “Deliver us, O Lord.”
From population planners who seek to control others in
their greed or lust for power . . . From politicians who claim to be personally
opposed to abortion but who do nothing to restrict it . . .From those who argue
for choice but refuse to give all children the choice of whether or not to be
born . . .From those who claim to favor equal rights but who would deny these
rights to the unborn . . .From those who justify the use of violence on behalf
of their cause.
From religious leaders who excuse or defend attacks
upon Your gift of life . . .From slanted media coverage that goes to any length
to hide or distort the truth . . .From legislators and judges who place their
rulings and opinions above Your eternal Law . . .From pressure to be
politically correct even if it means denying Your truth . . .From a spirit of
indifference and apathy that afflicts so many of our fellow citizens.
From a blasphemous misuse of religion which tries to
justify killing the innocent in Your Name . . .From an unwillingness on the
part of so many Christians to be active in defending all human life . . .From a
spirit of despair which might make us forget that Your Kingdom will come.
Dr. Irma Montemayor
Part 4 “We praise You, O Lord.”
For the millions of Americans who are willing to
march, demonstrate, and pray on behalf of the unborn . . .For our brothers and
sisters willing to gather peacefully and pray and give witness outside abortion
clinics . . .For dedicated volunteers serving in right-to-life offices and
crisis pregnancy centers, and on community agencies, church committees, and
national organizations.
For doctors, nurses, and other medical personnel who
remain true to their consciences by serving human life rather than assaulting
it . . .For elected leaders, politicians, judges, and other officials who have
the courage and integrity to act upon their pro-life beliefs . . .For media
consultants, authors, lawyers, businesspeople, and other professionals who
donate their time and expertise to the pro-life cause.
For religious leaders willing to speak out and provide
moral guidance to their people . . . For reporters and members of the media who
try to report the news honestly and fairly. . . For all who support the
right-to-life movement with their money, time, or prayers . . .For those
citizens of our country who are willing to hear the truth and act upon it.
For mothers and fathers who cherish the gift of their
children . . .For pediatricians, principals, teachers, school bus drivers,
photographers, day care personnel, religious education catechists and Sunday
school teachers, youth ministers, guidance counselors, social workers, and all
who work with the young.
For families who love, nourish, and respect one
another . . .For the gifts of wonder, innocence, and love each new child brings
into the world . . .For the gifts of wisdom, experience, and perspective each
older person offers to our society . . .For the talents, abilities, and
potential present in each person on earth.
For making each one of us in Your own image and
likeness . . .For giving us the opportunity and duty to shape and influence the
world around us . . .For every sunrise and every sunset, for every new day and
every peaceful night, for the beauty of nature and the joy of life . . .For the
seasons of nature and the seasons of life, for the present moment and for the passing
of years.
For our faith in You and our unity with one another .
. .For allowing us to unite and pray together in Your Name . . .For calling us
to work together in the grace and power of Your Spirit . . . And for offering
us the gift of eternal life in Your Kingdom.
Dr. Marian Casillas
Concluding Prayer
Lord Jesus Christ, You are the Way, the Truth, and the
Life. Show our nation the way to peace—a peace which can only come by
proclaiming Your truth and by cherishing Your gift of life. May Your Kingdom
come, and may Your Name be praised forever and ever. Amen.