Concluding 40 Days for Life Prayer Service
Msgr. Michael Mellone: On this the 40th day of our prayer vigil to end abortions in our College Park community, we are coming together one last time to pray. Let us begin with a devotional prepared by Mrs. Georgette Forney, President, Anglicans for Life.
Intention(all):“We live because God wills it so.”
Scripture(all): “Who among all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this, in His hand is the life of every creature and the breath of all mankind.”
— Job 12:9-10
Reflection
Rev. Mark Smith: Job was a man acquainted with grief, trials and tribulation. He had everything taken from him, including his family. He endured sickness, ridicule and judgment from his friends. Everyone gave him advice about his situation, questioning his spirituality and his God. Job’s circumstances were bad, yet he never loses faith. Why? Because of what he states, “the hand of the Lord has made all life.” He knows God created him and he knows his life has meaning and purpose, regardless of the circumstances.
Dcn. Bob Gignilliat:In our present culture, we’ve lost that basic truth; every life, mine, yours, Job’s – every life is given, made and allowed to live by God’s sovereign authority. As people who pride ourselves on our independence, we have a hard time acknowledging that we are all dependent upon God for our life. From our creation, when we were knit together in our mother’s womb, to the last breath we breathe, God’s word is clear that “in His hand is the life of every creature and the breath of all mankind.”
Michael Hanson: It’s time for us as individuals, and as a society, to recognize that we exist by God’s grace and turn back to Him, honoring His word and His teachings. Why? Because our world is full of Jobs, people who are dealing with trials and tribulations and hurting desperately. Job’s response should be ours as well. Regardless of what we face (even an unplanned pregnancy) God in His wisdom and mercy will redeem it. How do I know? I read the end of the book! Job’s story has a happy ending. Job’s friends who doubted God’s sovereignty cry out to God asking for help! God instructs Job to pray for his friends and after he does, God restores all that Job had lost. In other words, because Job never lost faith and knew and trusted His Creator, the Lord blessed Job.
Prayer (all): Thank you Father God for being the Creator of my life and every life. Please give me, and the society in which I live, an appreciation for your gift of life. Please help us set aside our pride and acknowledge that we need you. Show me how I can honor you today in response to all the blessings you bestow so freely. In the name of Jesus, Amen.
II. Prayer for those who have Died at Metropolitan Family Planning Clinic
Prayer (all)
Almighty and merciful God, recognizing our own participation in the deaths that have taken place hereand the deception of those who would actively participate in their deaths, we ask that you would grant mercy and grace to the Pre-born and bring the deceived into a true conversion experience that they may know you, Jesus Christ who lives and reigns, One God forever and ever Amen.
A Reading from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah (59:1-20)
Rev. Mark Smith: Surely the arm of the LORD is not too short to save,nor his ear too dull to hear. But your iniquities have separatedyou from your God;your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear. For your hands are stained with blood, your fingers with guilt. Your lips have spoken lies, and your tongue mutters wicked things.
Dcn. Bob Gignilliat: No one calls for justice; no one pleads his case with integrity. They rely on empty arguments and speak lies; they conceive trouble and give birth to evil. They hatch the eggs of vipers and spin a spider's web. Whoever eats their eggs will die, and when one is broken, an adder is hatched. Their cobwebs are useless for clothing; they cannot cover themselves with what they make. Their deeds are evil deeds, and acts of violence are in their hands. Their feet rush into sin; they are swift to shed innocent blood. Their thoughts are evil thoughts; ruin and destruction mark their ways. The way of peace they do not know; there is no justice in their paths. They have turned them into crooked roads; no one who walks in them will know peace.
Michael Hanson: So justice is far from us, and righteousness does not reach us. We look for light, but all is darkness; for brightness, but we walk in deep shadows. Like the blind we grope along the wall, feeling our way like men without eyes. At midday we stumble as if it were twilight; among the strong, we are like the dead. We all growl like bears; we moan mournfully like doves. We look for justice, but find none; for deliverance, but it is far away. For, our offenses are many in your sight, and our sins testify against us. Our offenses are ever with us, and we acknowledge our iniquities: rebellion and treachery against the LORD, turning our backs on our God, fomenting oppression and revolt, uttering lies our hearts have conceived.
Peggy Gignilliat: So justice is driven back, and righteousness stands at a distance; truth has stumbled in the streets, honesty cannot enter. Truth is nowhere to be found, and whoever shuns evil becomes a prey.
Rev. Mark Smith: The LORD looked and was displeased that there was no justice. He saw that there was no-one, he was appalled that there was no-one to intervene; so his own arm worked salvation for him, and his own righteousness sustained him. He put on righteousness as his breastplate, and the helmet of salvation on his head; he put on the garments of vengeance and wrapped himself in zeal as in a cloak. According to what they have done, so will he repay wrath to his enemies and retribution to his foes; he will repay the islands their due. From the west, men will fear the name of the LORD, and from the rising of the sun, they will revere his glory. For he will come like a pent-up flood that the breath of the LORD drives along. "The Redeemer will come to Zion, to those in Jacob who repent of their sins," declares the LORD.
All respond:The Word of the Lord
Psalm 2
All: / Blessed are all those who put their trust in him.Left Side: / Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing?
Right Side: / The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD, and against his anointed, saying,
Left Side: / Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us.
Right Side: / He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the LORD shall have them in derision.
Left Side: / Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath, and vex them in his sore displeasure.
Right Side: / Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion. I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee.
Left Side: / Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession.
Right Side: / Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel. Be wise now therefore, O ye kings: be instructed, ye judges of the earth.
Left side: / Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling. Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little.
All: / Blessed are all they that put their trust in him.
A reading from the Letter of St. Paul to the Philippians (4:4-9)
Kate Hunter: Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.
All respond:The Word of the Lord
A Reading from the holy Gospel according to St. Luke(4:16–21)
Deacon Bob Gignilliat: He went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom. And he stood up to read. The scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written:
"The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners
and recovery of sight for the blind,
to release the oppressed,
to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor."
Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him, and he began by saying to them, "Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing."
All respond:Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ
Prayer
Msgr. Michael Mellone: Dear Friends: It was our Lord Jesus himself who said,"Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give yourest." Let us pray, then, for our brothers and sisters, the Pre-born, that they may rest from their labors, and enter into the light of God'seternal Sabbath rest.
Msgr. Michael Mellone: / Response (all):God the Father, / Have mercy on your servants.
God the Son, / Have mercy on your servants.
God the Holy Spirit, / Have mercy on your servants.
Holy Trinity, one God, / Have mercy on your servants.
Holy Trinity, one God, / Good Lord, deliver them.
By your holy Incarnation, by your Cross and Passion, by your precious Death and Burial, / Good Lord, deliver them.
By your glorious Resurrection and Ascension, and by the Coming of the Holy Spirit, / Good Lord, deliver them.
We sinners beseech you to hear us, Lord Christ / We beseech you to hear us, good Lord.
That it may please you to deliver the souls of your servants from the power of evil, and from eternal death, / We beseech you to hear us, good Lord.
That it may please you to grant them a place of refreshment and everlasting blessedness, / We beseech you to hear us, good Lord.
That it may please you to give them joy and gladness in your kingdom, with your saints in light, / We beseech you to hear us, good Lord.
Jesus, Lamb of God: / Have mercy on them.
Jesus, bearer of our sins: / Have mercy on them.
Jesus, redeemer of the world: / Give them your peace.
Lord, have mercy. / Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
Msgr. Michael Mellone: Let us confess our sins unto Almighty God.
Prayer for Forgiveness(all)
Almighty and most merciful Father,
we have erred and strayed from thy ways like lost sheep,
we have followed too much the devices and desires of our
own hearts, we have offended against thy holy laws,
we have left undone those things which we ought to
have done, and we have done those things which we ought not to have done
But thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us,
spare thou those who confess their faults,
restore thou those who are penitent,
according to thy promises declared unto mankind
in Christ Jesus our Lord;
and grant, O most merciful Father, for His sake,
that we may hereafter live a godly, righteous, and sober life,
to the glory of thy holy Name. Amen.
Msgr. Michael Mellone: Now let us pray with confidence to the Father in the words our Savior gave us:
The Lord’s Prayer(all)
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy Name,
thy kingdom come, thy will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those
who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
Amen.
Commendation:
Msgr. Michael Mellone: Almighty God, our Father in heaven, before whom live all
who die in the Lord: Receive our brothers and sisters into
the courts of your heavenly dwelling place.
Let their hearts and souls now ring out in joy to you,
O Lord, the living God, and the God of those who live.
This we ask through Christ our Lord. Amen.
IV. Prayers of Intercession/Sharing
Deacon Bob Gignilliat: God is the beginning and end of every road we take.
In confidence we call upon him, saying:
For those who are tempted by abortion,that God may plant in their heartsa love for the treasure of lifeand the strength to protect it;
All respond: We pray to the Lord.
For all doctors, especially Dr. Amir Gohari, that inspired by their oath to protect life,they may know the grace of repentance,serving others as true disciplesof the Gospel of
Life; We pray to the Lord.
For all who work in abortion mills that they may come to true repentance and inspired by God’s merciful and healing love come to serve as guardians of lifein every moment of its existence;We pray to the Lord.
For parents who have lost a child to abortionand whose hearts are closed to the mercy of God,that they might know the grace of repentanceand the healing embrace of the Father;We pray to the Lord.
For parents overwhelmed by grief and remorseat the loss of their child to abortion,that Jesus the shepherd,so rich in mercy and compassion,might heal their broken hearts;We pray to the Lord.
For all who counsel the parents of aborted children,that God might reward them for the crosses they bearand grant them the words of wisdom to lead lost souls to him,
We pray to the Lord.
For all elected officials and religious leaders, that they courageously advance the cause of life, We pray to the Lord.
For all who work in the pro-life movement, that they move forward with haste to the great day of victory, We pray to the Lord.
That God strengthen all pro-lifers who suffer ridicule, rejection, or imprisonment,
We pray to the Lord.
Fr. Mark Smith: From this community for whom and for what else shall we pray?
We welcome your prayer petitions from the audience…
Msgr. Michael Mellone: Today as we remember Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem and prepare ourselves to celebrate his Passion, Death and Resurrection, let us conclude with the 40th day devotional prepared for 40 Days for Life by Fr. Frank Pavone:
Intention (all)
“Let us keep our eyes fixed on the New Jerusalem, where death will be no more.”
Scripture (all)
“He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!”— Revelation 21:45
Reflection
Rev. Mark Smith: Every activity we undertake in defense of the sanctity of life is prophetic, inasmuch as it points to the day when “death will be no more.” Every victory we have when an act of abortion is prevented is prophetic of that day when death itself will be definitively conquered. Every triumph of grace in this world, whereby someone is brought to see the value of life and given the strength to welcome it, is a breaking into our history of that definitive future in which the old order of things will have passed, and all things will be made new. As God’s people, we must keep our eyes fixed on heaven, and our hearts secure in the hope that the day is coming when all evil will be conquered.
Dcn. Bob Gignilliat: It is the future that shapes the present; it is victory that informs the battle; it is the destination that determines the journey. Daily, we are called to reflect on heaven. When we weep, we are to think of the day when every tear will be wiped away. When we face the destructive power of death, we are to think of the day when death is swallowed up in victory. When we labor against abortion, we are to think of the day when we will have the rest and peace of the final triumph of life. Heaven is as real as earth, and its joys will be as real as our present sorrows.