Parish Prayers

PRAYER FOR STRONGER FAMILY LIFE (2008)

God our Father,

We urgently pray for stronger family life,

in this parish and throughout our nation.

Inspire couples to embrace marriage as a Sacrament.

May children know the love and security

of father and mother within the home.

Preserve family life in harmony and peace.

May honest communication flourish.

Let respect and forgiveness heal any misunderstandings.

Heavenly Father, you call all of us

to embrace human sexuality as a gift,

to be used according to your design and plan.

You call married couples to accept children lovingly as gifts.

You call youth to practice abstinence

and avoid cohabitation before marriage.

May your Divine Will, intending marriage

as the union between one man and one woman,

be honored in our society,

and traditional family values strengthened.

Help and empower us to meet the challenges

which culture and peer pressure place before us.

Bless our homes and make our families "Schools of Faith"

where children are taught by word and example

these authentic Catholic values.

We make this prayer

through the intercession of the Holy Family,

Jesus, Mary, and Joseph.     Amen.