Respect Life Novena

Heavenly Father, You formed every human life with care, and You care for each person. Today we bring the intention of this day before You, asking for the dignity of every person from conception to natural death. Give us open hearts, and let our prayer for life shape how we treat our neighbors. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

The USCCB intention for Day 1 reads, "May every person's life be protected and cared for from conception to natural death." This first day sets the frame for the whole novena. Isaiah 41:10 reminds us that God is with us and will uphold us, so we pray from that assurance. Lord God, You are the giver of life, and every person is made in Your image. Protect those who are weakest among us, and care for those who are facing the end of life. Help us see each person as someone You love. We close by praying an Our Father, three Hail Marys, and a Glory Be. Refrain: Lord, every life is in Your hands.

The USCCB intention for Day 2 reads, "May every child in his or her mother's womb be protected in law and welcomed in love." Scripture teaches that God made human life in His image. Jesus himself became human and, like every person, was conceived and grew in the womb of the Blessed Mother. The USCCB suggests reading Psalm 139 as an act of reparation on this day. Lord, You knit each child together in the womb. Protect every unborn child under the law, and move the hearts of mothers, fathers, and families to welcome them in love. Let Psalm 139 be a prayer on our lips today. We close by praying an Our Father, three Hail Marys, and a Glory Be. Refrain: Lord, You formed every child in the womb; protect and welcome each one.

The USCCB intention for Day 3 reads, "May all who suffer after participation in abortion find healing in Christ's unending mercy." God desires to forgive every sin, and no sin is unforgivable and no sinner is beyond redemption. Catholics receive Christ's mercy in the Sacrament of Reconciliation, and Luke 15:7 speaks of joy in heaven over one sinner who repents. The USCCB's Day 3 page notes that confidential, compassionate help is available through a service called Hope After Abortion. Merciful Father, You long to forgive, and Your mercy reaches every person who comes to You in sorrow. Bring healing to all who suffer after an abortion, and let them find peace in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Give them the courage to reach out to a priest, a counselor, or a doctor, and surround them with compassionate help. We close by praying an Our Father, three Hail Marys, and a Glory Be. Refrain: Lord, in Your mercy, bring healing and peace.

The USCCB intention for Day 4 reads, "May pregnant and parenting moms find life-affirming help for themselves and their children through the Christian community." The Gospel account of the Visitation shows Mary going with haste to her cousin Elizabeth (Luke 1:39). The USCCB's reflection holds up this visit as a model of Christian community helping a mother. Today we ask that the Christian community be that kind of help to every pregnant or parenting mother. Lord, Mary went with haste to her cousin Elizabeth, and You call Your people to stand beside mothers. Give pregnant and parenting moms life-affirming help, and let them feel welcomed and supported. Make us ready to go to a mother in need, as Mary went to Elizabeth. We close by praying an Our Father, three Hail Marys, and a Glory Be. Refrain: Lord, make us ready to help every mother.

The USCCB intention for Day 5 reads, "May all people with disabilities be treated with respect and their lives protected." Psalm 139:13 says God formed our inward parts and knitted us together in our mother's womb, so every person is known and made by God. Today we ask that the dignity of people with disabilities be honored in our homes, parishes, and communities. God of every person, You made each one with care, and You value every life. Open our eyes to the gifts of people with disabilities, and guard their lives from harm. Teach us to treat them with respect in every setting we share. We close by praying an Our Father, three Hail Marys, and a Glory Be. Refrain: Lord, every person is made by You and worthy of respect.

The USCCB intention for Day 6 reads, "May all who are ill or nearing death receive care that meets all their needs and upholds the gift of their lives." The USCCB's reflection for this day notes that people who are seriously ill or dying need care that meets their needs. Palliative care is not limited to the dying process, and hospice care offers physical, psychological, social, family, and spiritual support. Praying for this care means praying for patients, their families, and the people who provide it. Lord of life, You are with the sick and the dying, and You know every need they carry. Give them care that meets their bodies, minds, and hearts, and give their families strength. Let the gift of their lives be honored to the end. We close by praying an Our Father, three Hail Marys, and a Glory Be. Refrain: Lord, be near the sick and the dying, and give them the care they need.

The USCCB intention for Day 7 reads, "May healthcare always respect God's design and protect His gift of human life." Psalm 139:13 says God formed our inward parts. Today we pray for everyone who makes decisions about care. Lord, You are the source of all healing and the giver of every life. Guide doctors, nurses, and everyone who makes decisions about care, so that they respect Your design. Protect the gift of human life in every hospital and clinic. We close by praying an Our Father, three Hail Marys, and a Glory Be. Refrain: Lord, guide those who care for the sick, and protect the gift of life.

The USCCB intention for Day 8 reads, "May our nation end its use of the death penalty, bearing witness to the dignity of every human life." We pray today for our nation and for everyone affected by the death penalty. Lord, You give and sustain every life, and Your mercy is offered to all. Bring our nation to end its use of the death penalty, and let its witness honor the dignity of every person. Soften hearts, and give us the courage to speak for life. We close by praying an Our Father, three Hail Marys, and a Glory Be. Refrain: Lord, let our nation honor the dignity of every human life.

The USCCB intention for Day 9 reads, "May all Catholics help build a culture that cherishes every person as a precious gift from God." This is the last day of the novena. The intention looks past the nine days and into daily life. Father, You have given us every person as a precious gift. Help us build a culture where every person is cherished, from the youngest child to the oldest adult. Give us the grace to speak and act for life in our homes, parishes, and workplaces. We close by praying an Our Father, three Hail Marys, and a Glory Be. Refrain: Lord, help us build a culture that cherishes every person.

Heavenly Father, we thank You for these nine days of prayer and for the Church's witness to life. We ask You to protect every person from conception to natural death, to comfort those who suffer after an abortion, and to strengthen mothers, families, and the sick. Build in us a culture that cherishes every person as Your precious gift. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Lord of life, protect every person from conception to natural death. Amen.