Day of Prayer for the Legal Protection of Unborn Children
Dioceses throughout the United States observe the Day of Prayer for the Legal Protection of Unborn Children on January 22. It is a day set aside in a particular way to pray for pre-born children and to pray for the full restoration of the legal guarantee of the right to life. It is also an opportunity to reflect upon the gift of life and to thank God for that gift.
"Every human life, unique and unrepeatable, valid in itself, constitutes an inestimable value. This must always be announced again, with the courage of the word and the courage of actions," said Pope Francis.
January 22 was chosen for the day because it is the day that U.S. Supreme Court legalized abortion in 1973. In 2022, the Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization decision overturned Roe v. Wade, but pre-born children are still threatened in many states, including Maine, which expanded abortion access in 2023.
Prayer for Life
Father and maker of all, you adorn all creation with splendor and beauty and fashion human lives in your image and likeness.
Awaken in every heart reverence for the work of your hands, and renew among your people a readiness to nurture and sustain your precious gift of life.
Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God forever and ever. Amen
(Source: USCCB)
Intercessory Prayers
For the legal protection of unborn children and for loving support for their mothers before and after their births, we pray to the Lord:
May all who suffer from participating in abortion turn to God’s loving forgiveness; We pray to the Lord:
For public servants, may God grant them the humility, wisdom, and courage to defend all human life; We pray to the Lord:
For our nation, may God unite us in peace and respect for each other and reverence for all human life; We pray to the Lord:
May friends and families of women with difficult pregnancies provide loving, life-affirming support for both mother and child; We pray to the Lord:
Resources
Holy Hour for Life (External Link)
Novena for Life (External Link)
Novena to Three American Saints for Life (External Link)
9 Days for Life (External Link)
9 Days for Life Novena (Spanish)
Optional Readings for Masses on January 22 (External Link)
Prayer for pregnant mothers (External link)
Prayer to St. Joseph, Defender of Life (External link)
