Prayer and Testimony Will Shape Health Care Debate
Fr. Frank Pavone
National Director, Priests for Life
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The health care debate in our country continues to rage, and for us in the
pro-life movement, the key issue continues to be the fact that access to and
funding for abortion will be vastly expanded unless the legislation explicitly
prohibits that from happening. Those who claim it won’t should have no problem
putting words in the bill that say so.
There are two specific things I want to call on pro-life Americans to do
regarding the health care reform debate.
First of all, now is the time to intensify our prayers and gear them
specifically to the health care reform debate. We at Priests for Life have
composed a special prayer for this purpose. I have placed it below, and urge
people to use it in their families, prayer groups, and parishes.
Moreover, we have created a cause on Facebook called “Pray to End
Abortion.” This cause can become the largest prayer group in history as
people connect on Facebook and commit together to pray not only regarding
health care, but regarding all aspects of the pro-life movement. Special
prayer resources will be created throughout the year, corresponding to
specific needs and seasons. You can access the Facebook prayer cause at
www.ProLifePrayers.com. (For
those who do not wish to use Facebook, another option is the our website
www.PrayerCampaign.org).
Let’s promote this cause, link to it from our websites, blogs, and social
networking pages, and send it out to our email blasts during these days that
are so critical to this debate!
The second action item is to trumpet the voices of those who have had
abortions. The women and men of the Silent No More Awareness Campaign have
created a three-minute video in which women who have had abortions speak
about how it harmed them, and declare that an increase in abortion will mean
an increase in health problems for women.
Let’s meet their courage with ours and use this video to bring their voices
into the debate. See and spread the video at
www.SilentNoMoreAwareness.org/healthcare.
The time for action is now, and the action could not be more simple.
Prayer for our Nation’s Health Care Reform
Lord Jesus, you are the Divine Physician,
And the source of all life and health.
Guide our nation at this critical moment,
As our government seeks health care reforms.
Give our elected officials the humility to know
That they are servants, not masters.
Give them the wisdom to realize
That every life has equal value.
Give them the strength to resist the idea
That some lives can be sacrificed to save others
Or that killing the unborn is a part of health care.
Give your people the courage to speak up
And to hold public officials accountable for their actions.
Save us, Lord Jesus, from a culture of death,
And let every reform in our public policy
Be based on the reform of our hearts and minds
In the light of your Gospel,
For you are Lord forever and ever. Amen.
2009 Columns
