Day 7 Intention: For Protection of the Family
The family is under attack today, from the activities and technology that pull us apart from each other on a regular basis to the scourge of divorce. We can no longer live family life as though it is a safe haven from the pressures of the world. We must actively build up our protection of the family through family prayer, love and joy. When we notice a small disturbance in our family life, don’t let it grow, fix it right away to head off a bigger problem that will be more difficult to address.
In the current culture, “the family cannot fail to feel threatened, since it is endangered at its very foundations. Everything contrary to the civilization of love is contrary to the whole truth about man and becomes a threat to him: it does not allow him to find himself and to feel secure, as spouse, parent, or child.” (LF 13)
The Novena Prayer:
St. John Paul II, great champion of the family, we seek your intercession today for the protection of our family. We ask that you intercede on our behalf to God and ask him to cover our family with His grace and protection. Protect our family from harmful habits and from attacks from the evil one. Help us to avoid the near occasion of sin and to lead our families towards holiness. Inspire in us a desire to be holy and do our part to make our family a holy family and petition God to grant us the favor of the following intention(s):
For the success of the upcoming Retreat for Families
(mention any family specific intentions here)
Aided in this way by your powerful intercession, we shall praise God, now and for ever, giving glory to his name by the witness of our lives. Amen.
Closing Prayer – The Memorare
Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thine intercession was left unaided.
Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto thee, O Virgin of virgins, my mother; to thee do I come, before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in thy mercy hear and answer me.
Amen.