9 Months 4 Life: March 25 to December 25
Prayer Intentions for the Nine Months for Life from Annunciation Day to Christmas
To Use This & Other
Web Banners or Print as Stickers & Signs HERE
1.
Begin on the March 25th Annunciation feast of Christ's Conception
--or--
Join
the program in progress.
2.
Choose a favorite pro-life prayer--for example, Archbishop Fulton
Sheen's Spiritual Adoption Prayer, Prayer
to Christ Unborn, or other prayer directed toward protection of pre-born
children, such as: Dear Lord, guide and protect
all mothers and fathers of unborn children who are tempted to abort a baby to
spare themselves and their families the trauma of an unwanted pregnancy--let
both parents see that the child in the womb is now the heart of their family,
and that abortion is the ultimate trauma.
Help them recognize that the eternal soul entrusted to them in this new
life is God's greatest gift.
3.
Pray daily--or--every 25th of the month. If praying daily mark each 25th in some
way--plan a special activity or pray for a specific pro-life intention that
changes each month (suggestions below).
For example, on this day spend extra time in prayer, attend church
services, or arrange group prayer--in good weather spend part of the day
outdoors, pray in your garden, read the Bible in a park or scenic area, or plan
a drive to visit a shrine or country chapel.
It is easier
to remember to pray daily, but if you are praying each 25th, mark every 25th on
your calendar and set electronic reminders if possible, or to receive
monthly "9 Months 4 Life" prayer intentions click here to follow
March25info on Twitter.
4. If desired, choose a focus for your nine months of prayer with a specific intention for each month (see the suggested options below).
Note: "9 Months 4 Life" Spiritual Adoption is an ideal way to begin a "25th-of-the-Month-Club"-- promoting pro-life activities year-round on the 25th of every month, with a special emphasis on the Annunciation (planning Day Of The Unborn Child events), and Christmas (having a holiday "baby shower" item drive for the needy). Click here for more ideas on starting a "25th-of-the-Month-Club."
Click one of the following categories for
monthly prayer intentions for the "9 Months 4 Life" (March
25th to December 25):
Spiritual Adoption of an Unborn Child
For Protection of All Pre-Born and Newborn Children
9 Months For Life--Monthly Prayer
Intentions For:
Spiritual Adoption of an Unborn Child
Pray each month for the general intention of the unborn child's safety--use a Spiritual Adoption prayer such as the original written by Archbishop Fulton Sheen, or choose one of the following three addressed to each person of the Holy Trinity (the part in brackets is prayed on the first day only). If desired, add a specific petition for each of the nine months (see suggested monthly intentions below.)
Spiritual Adoption Prayers to the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit:
Dear Father in heaven, as we contemplate the day of
Christ's conception and his prenatal life, [select from all your precious
children one who is in danger of abortion]; keep my spiritually adopted child
safe throughout and beyond this period of prayer as we progress through these
nine months. Guide and protect the
child's mother and father who may be tempted to abort their baby to spare
themselves and their families the trauma of an unwanted pregnancy--let both
parents see this child in the womb as the newest member of their family,
abortion as the ultimate trauma, and every human life as a gift.
--or--
Lord Jesus, on this day we thank you for the
incomparable gift of yourself in the Incarnation--the eternal Word and Son of
God made flesh at the Annunciation in the Virgin Mary's womb--sharing and
sanctifying our humble human journey from conception. Please [choose for me a vulnerable unborn child, and] keep my
precious spiritual foster son or daughter, whose potential is known only to
you, safe from the threat of abortion and all harm throughout and beyond these
nine months of spiritual adoption.
--or--
Come Holy Spirit as we celebrate Christ's
conception--keep us mindful of this moment of Incarnation and the import of his
prenatal life; we ask you to look upon and bless an endangered child in the
womb--a child unknown to us, whose name is known to you. Accept my prayer to keep this child chosen
by you safe from abortion and all harm, and help me to keep this child in mind
and in prayer throughout this nine-month period of spiritual adoption.
Monthly Intentions for Spiritual Adoption
March 25th (Annunciation Day Opening Prayer): As we begin the first month of spiritual adoption celebrating the day Christ was conceived, we contemplate the eternal destiny of every human life from the moment of conception, and we pray for the salvation and spiritual welfare of this child and his or her family.
April: In
the second month of spiritual adoption we pray for continual healthy
development for the child, and an uncomplicated pregnancy for the mother--that she
will receive all the loving assistance she needs during this time.
May: In
the third month of spiritual adoption, we pray for a pro-life physician who
will care for both the mother and child as patients, and direct all medical
actions toward safeguarding their lives and health, including those in
high-risk pregnancies and the commonly termed "hard cases."
June: In
the fourth month of spiritual adoption we pray for wise counsel and support
from clergy, advisers, friends, relatives and grandparents who will recognize
the child as a new member of the family.
July: In
the fifth month of spiritual adoption we pray that the child's father will
encourage and facilitate the mother's life-affirming choice, and be willing to
act as a responsible provider.
August: In
the sixth month of spiritual adoption we pray for both parents’ emotional
welfare and maturation toward making good decisions and modeling good behavior
for their child.
September: In the seventh month of spiritual adoption we pray that the
parents be guided by the Holy Spirit in considering legal adoption as an option
for their child, and if they so choose, that the right family will be selected
for this particular child.
October: In the eighth month of spiritual adoption we pray for a
safe, smooth delivery for mother and child, and for proper care during the
post-natal period especially for those with conditions of prematurity or
physical challenge.
November: In the ninth month of pregnancy we pray for this child's
upbringing. We ask that he or she will
continue to be safe from harm and provided for spiritually and materially--born
into and raised in a moral faith-filled environment and guided to become
everything he or she was intended to be from the very beginning.
December 25th (Christmas Closing Prayer): As we celebrate the feast of the Nativity and close this year's nine months of spiritual adoption prayer begun on the March 25th Annunciation feast of Christ's conception, we give thanks for the safe deliverance of the newborn Jesus endangered by King Herod, and for the safe delivery of all endangered children born during this time, particularly those who have been spiritually adopted.
[Also
visit the Spiritual
Adoption section of our Ideas page for more info--including additional
suggestions for monthly bulletin inserts and a closing baby shower item drive.]
9 Months For Life--Monthly Prayer
Intentions For:
Protection of All Pre-Born and Newborn Children
March 25th (Annunciation Day Opening Prayer): Beginning on this March 25th Feast of the Annunciation honoring Christ's conception, and for the nine months until Christmas, we pray to uphold the sanctity of human life, and for the protection of every pre-born and newborn child from the first moment of his or her creation--that each will be recognized by parents and society as a member of the human family. This month we pray in particular for newly conceived children in their first month of life, including the youngest embryos in the oft-forgotten phase before implantation whose mothers do not yet know they are with child, and especially those vulnerable to so-called "emergency" and "morning after" forms of abortifacient birth control.
April: During
these nine months from Annunciation to Christmas we pray to uphold the sanctity
of every human life from the moment of creation--and this month we pray in
particular for those targeted in the early weeks of pregnancy by all forms of
the abortion pill.
May: During
these nine months from Annunciation to Christmas we pray to uphold the sanctity
of every human life from the moment of creation--and this month we pray in
particular for those in the first few months of pregnancy who are vulnerable to
the most common forms of surgical abortion.
June: During
these nine months from Annunciation to Christmas we pray to uphold the sanctity
of every human life from the moment of creation--and this month we pray in
particular for protection of unborn children from accidental death as by
miscarriage, and from exposure to disproportionate or undisclosed risks to life
and health in the environmental, medical, and occupational settings.
July: During
these nine months from Annunciation to Christmas we pray to uphold the sanctity
of every human life from the moment of creation--and this month we pray in
particular for those in the mid stages of pregnancy vulnerable to later forms
of abortion by injection of chemicals into the womb and induction of premature
labor as in saline abortions.
August: During these nine months from Annunciation to Christmas we pray to uphold the sanctity of every human life from the moment of creation--and this month we pray in particular for the protection of women from abortion-directed advice or pressure and from governments that practice coerced or forced abortion, and for the conversion of those tempted to counsel or compel in this way either through self-centeredness or misguided compassion.
September: During these nine months from Annunciation to Christmas we
pray to uphold the sanctity of every human life from the moment of
creation--and this month we pray in particular for protection from all forms of
late-term abortion including partial-birth abortions, and for babies who survive
abortion but are in danger of death by direct killing or denial of lifesaving
care.
October: During these nine months from Annunciation to Christmas we
pray to uphold the sanctity of every human life from the moment of
creation--and this month we pray in particular for the welfare and protection
of mothers and unborn children in high risk and "hard case"
pregnancies, including mothers with serious health complications, babies with
suspected or diagnosed handicaps, and pregnancies resulting from abuse.
November: During these nine months from Annunciation to Christmas we
pray to uphold the sanctity of every human life from the moment of
creation--and this month we pray in particular for those about to be born who
are in danger of reckless or fatal abandonment and infanticide, that they will
be safely placed for adoption or at the designated "safe havens" for
newborns.
December 25th (Christmas Closing Prayer): We close this year's "Nine Months for Life" from the March 25th Annunciation to Christmas by recalling with gratitude the birth of the infant Christ--turned away at the inn but given safe haven in a humble stable and delivered from the threats of King Herod. Mindful of this mysterious act of God's providence, we give thanks for the safe delivery of all the children born throughout these past nine months of prayer--may the Lord continue to safely guide them throughout their lives toward their eternal home.
[Also
visit the Spiritual
Adoption section of our Ideas page for more info--including additional
suggestions for monthly bulletin inserts and a closing baby shower item drive.]
NOTE: The "9 Months 4
Life" prayers and intentions can also be used for each mass of monthly
Pro-Life Novena (nine) masses from the Annunciation feast to the Christmas
season.
For additional meditations/reflections for the nine months from the Annunciation
to Christmas also see the Annunciation
Society's 9 Monthly Bulletin Inserts following the journey of Christ's prenatal
life.