Pope Leo’s prayer intention for December coincides with his current visit to the Middle East.
The Holy Father asks us to include prayers for the Christians who are living in areas of conflict, that their faith in Christ may provide the seeds of peace.
Here is his prayer for this holy month of Advent in which we look forward to our Savior’s entrance into our fragmented and sinful world.
Text of Pope Leo’s prayer intention
God of peace,
who through the blood of Your Son
has reconciled the world to Yourself,
today we pray for Christians
living amidst wars and violence.Even surrounded by pain, may they
never cease to feel the gentle kindness of your presence
and the prayers of their brothers and sisters in faith.For only through You, and strengthened by fraternal bonds,
can they become the seeds of reconciliation,
builders of hope in ways both small and great,
capable of forgiving and moving forward,
of bridging divides,
and of seeking justice with mercy.Lord Jesus, who called blessed
those who work for peace,
make us Your instruments of peace
even where harmony seems impossible.Holy Spirit,
source of hope in the darkest times,
sustain the faith of those who suffer and strengthen their hope.
Do not let us fall into indifference,
and make us builders of unity, like Jesus.Amen.
Here is the Vatican video of Pope Leo, praying for persecuted Christians this month.
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