Prayer for Freedom

Prayer for Freedom

   The U.S. bishops have called for a Fortnight for Freedom, a two-week period of prayer and action, to address many current challenges to religious freedom. We are called to share the Gospel and Love of Jesus yet, it is not always welcomed in public places because some might be offend by the mention of God. I am asking that we all take extra time to pray for the freedom to do so and act out by writing to our Politicians to express  the need for this freedom. Below I have included a prayer that we all can share. 

Until tomorrow, God Bless, and may our religious freedom be a freedom and not a choice. 

INTRODUCTION
Christ the Lord has called us out of darkness into his marvelous light. Let us turn to him in humble but fervent petition,
seeking the grace to root out from our hearts all trace of darkness, and all that holds us back
from walking in the full freedom of the children of God.
As Christ is our great model for that inner freedom,
which enables us to do the right,
let us turn to him with confidence
that we, too, may follow him to the fullness of spiritual freedom.

Lord, have mercy; 

Christ, have mercy; 

Lord, have mercy;

Jesus, victor over sin and death...                                 Free our hearts
Jesus, source of light and hope...                                   Free our hearts
Jesus, fullness of truth and mystery...                          Free our hearts
Jesus, teacher of seeking hearts...                                  Free our hearts
Jesus, healer of body and soul...                                    Free our hearts
Jesus, bringer of mercy and justice...                            Free our hearts
Jesus, who humble the heart and mind...                     Free our hearts

Jesus, release of captives...                                               Free our hearts
Jesus, voice against violence...                                         Free our hearts
Jesus, courage for the lowly/downtrodden...               Free our hearts

Jesus, origin of all authority and power...                     Free our hearts

Jesus, true lawgiver...                                                        Free our hearts
Jesus, unity of order and passion...                                 Free our hearts
Jesus, freedom of the Spirit...                                          Free our hearts
Jesus, obedient Son of the Father...                                Free our hearts

For the freedom to love...                                                Give us your grace
For the freedom to believe...                                            Give us your grace
For the freedom to hope...                                               Give us your grace
For the freedom to worship...                                          Give us your grace
For the freedom to serve in charity...                                Give us your grace
For the freedom to care for the suffering...                       Give us your grace

For the freedom to comfort the sick...                                Give us your grace
For the freedom to feed the hungry...                                 Give us your grace
For the freedom to shelter the homeless...                        Give us your grace
For the freedom to proclaim the Gospel...                         Give us your grace
For the freedom to walk in chastity...                                 Give us your grace
For the freedom to live in peace...                                       Give us your grace
For the freedom to work in good conscience...                  Give us your grace

For the freedom to stand in solidarity...                             Give us your grace
For the freedom to seek justice...                                         Give us your grace

For the freedom to reject sin...                                             Give us your grace
For the freedom to reject coercion...                                    Give us your grace
For the freedom to reject falsehood...                                  Give us your grace
For the freedom to reject evil temptations...                       Give us your grace

For the freedom to reject injustice...                                    Give us your grace

CLOSING PRAYER
O God, who gave one origin to all peoples
and willed to gather from them one family for yourself,
fill all hearts, we pray, with the fire of your love
and kindle in them a desire
for the just advancement of their neighbor,
that, through the good things which you richly bestow upon all, each human person may be brought to perfection,
every division may be removed,
and equity and justice may be established in human society. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God for ever and ever.
Amen.