Bishop's Prayer For Sanctity Of Life

Priest (Bishop): O Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, the Only-begotten Son of the Father; Who took on our Human nature to restore its sanctity. Do the same Lord, enlighten Your people here present and throughout the world, with the knowledge that all life is a sacred gift from You, from the instant of conception, to the natural last breath. Dispel from our minds the subjective concept of quality of life, and implant the objective truth of its preciousness. When we consider abortion, remind us that You were conceived and grew in Your mother's womb. When we consider euthanasia or assisted suicide, call to mind the leper, the paralytic, and Your friend Lazarus, and how Your great mercy and might were revealed through their suffering. When we consider the elderly, call to mind Simeon and Anna the Prophetess who proclaimed You to the world before the Forerunner; and Your grandparents Joachim and Anna, who bore and reared Your most pure mother, and instill in us the example of Ruth in her care of and humble service to her widowed mother-in-law Na’omi. When we consider, criminals to be executed, call to mind not only the Wise Thief, but also that Your were executed though You were beyond innocence. When confronted with the possibility of suicide, remind us of Judas, who by his hopeless and desperate act, forfeited the forgiveness given a repentant Peter, even after he had denied Your accusers three times. As at the tower of Babel, and in the wilderness of Sinai, have we Your people lost sight of Your Truth, but restore us in Your mercy O Lord. Make us instruments of Your Will, that by Your loving example, we may lead our misguided brethren to You, unworthy as we are. Dispel also from us, self-righteousness and narrow-mindedness like that of the Pharisees who challenged Your good works; as well as over zealousness and the urge to commit rash acts like Peter, who in attempting to preserve Your life, endangered that of the chief priest’s servant. For You saved us, not by summoning twelve legions of angels, but by healing the ear of the chief priest's servant and teaching and adjuring the people in love, even from the Cross. Grant this, we entreat You, O You who love mankind, for You alone are the Creator and Master of all, and to You do we ascribe glory, together with Your unoriginate Father and Your All-holy, good and life-creating Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages.

Choir: Amen.