Each year, the Holy Childhood Association sponsors a National Prayer Week to encourage Catholic children and families to pray for missions throughout the world.
Prayer is a powerful mission ministry. In fact, Pope Benedict XVI said that he counts on the prayers and missionary commitment of children. "In my ministry, I also count on children's prayers and their active participation in the mission of the Church," the Holy Father said.
During the week of March 14-21, 2010, children and families are invited to share the following prayer for missions around the world:
Through our Baptism, we are called to share Your love and Your peace everywhere. We are Your ambassadors, sent to bring the "Good News" of Jesus to all, beginning in our own communities and reaching "to the ends of the earth."
Fill our hearts with the love and peace of Jesus, especially as we meet Him in the Sacraments. Help us to be examples of Your compassion and a source of Your hope to all, especially those who are poor, lonely, suffering and sick.
Give us strength to show others what it means to follow Jesus. Help us to answer the call to be His witnesses, His missionaries.
We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ, Your Son, Who is Lord forever. Amen.
For information about the ministry of the Holy Childhood Association, including on-line activities for children, check out www.hcakids.org.
For more information about the Pontifical Mission Society, go to www.onefamilyinmission.org.
