Pro-Life Prayers
Page Contents
We have collected some of the best Pro-Life prayers to use in request to God. May these prayers for safety bring you comfort and peace of mind. May these prayers for strength encourage your spirit and strengthen your faith.
Pro-life means opposed to legalized abortion; in other words right-to-life. The right to life is the belief that a being has the right to live and, in particular, should not be killed by another entity including government. The concept of a right to life arises in debates on issues of capital punishment, war, abortion, euthanasia, police brutality, justifiable homicide, and animal rights. Various individuals may disagree on which areas this principle applies, including such issues previously listed.
“A great prayer for life is urgently needed, a prayer which will rise up throughout the world. Through special initiatives and in daily prayer, may an impassioned plea rise to God, the Creator and lover of life, from every Christian community, from every group and association, from every family and from the heart of every believer…” – St. Pope John Paul II
Pray for Life
Pray for Life features a monthly prayer intention, short reflection, suggested actions, and more. It focuses on the needs of pregnant and parenting moms of young children in our parishes and our neighborhoods.
Divine Mercy for the Unborn
For all helpless little children who die in the womb of their mother, I pray that all of these little souls will be given eternal life by Our Lord, Jesus Christ, through His Divine Mercy and I beg Jesus that I be allowed to spiritually baptize a little soul born dead and I do so by saying: I baptize you (Give name, preferably a Saint’s Name) in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit…’ I have called you by your name, you are Mine!’ (Is. 43:1)
Prayer of Divine Mercy Apostolate
Capuchin Friary, Dublin
Affirming Life
God, you are the Lord and Creator of Life.
You have blessed men and women
With the privilege
Of bringing new life
Into the world.
You have imparted in our hearts
The desire to nurture and protect life
At all its stages.
I accept these gifts as a sacred trust.
Through the power of the Holy Spirit
Help me to affirm the value of life.
Grant me the wisdom and courage
To speak out and defend human life.
Give me compassion
So that I may lovingly counsel
Those who would reject the gift of life,
Which is the reflection
Of Your image and likeness.
Amen.
To God the Father of All Life
Eternal God, You have revealed Yourself as the Father of all Life. We praise You for the Fatherly care which You extend to all creation, and especially to us, made in Your image and likeness.
Father, extend Your hand of protection to those threatened by abortion, and save them from its destructive power. Give Your strength to all fathers, that they may never give in to the fears that may tempt them to facilitate abortions.
Bless our families and bless our land, that we may have the joy of welcoming and nurturing the life of which You are the source and the Eternal Father. Amen.
Intercessory Prayers: Pro-Life Advocates
For those who pray before abortion clinics,
who march for life,
or who witness to the rights of all human beings:
that God might strengthen and guide them;
We pray to the Lord:
For those who long for the equality of all persons:
that their dedication to the unborn, the old, the condemned, and the forgotten,
may grow every day;
We pray to the Lord:
For all who work for an end to abortion:
that they might be strengthened by prayer,
and that God might reward them for their goodness;
We pray to the Lord:
For all who teach the Gospel of Life:
that they might be driven by love alone;
We pray to the Lord:
For all who work to defend life:
that God might reward them for their faithfulness;
We pray to the Lord:
For all who work for life:
and especially those who pray at abortion clinics,
that God might reward them for their prayers;
We pray to the Lord:
For all those who work to promote the Gospel of Life:
that God might reward them for their goodness;
We pray to the Lord:
For those who work to defend the lives of the unborn,
the sick, the infirm, and the aged:
those who defend humanity’s inalienable right to life;
We pray to the Lord:
For all who work for an end to the culture of death,
and especially for our brothers and sisters
from other churches, ecclesial communions, and religions,
that love for the Gospel of Life might draw us closer in Christ;
We pray to the Lord:
For all who work for life:
that they might be assured
of our gratitude and prayers
for the holy work they do;
We pray to the Lord:
Pledge of Re-commitment
I thank God today for the gift of my life,
And for the lives of my brothers and sisters.
I know I am responsible for the unborn who cannot speak for themselves.
I know that the most serious tragedy of our day is the tragedy of abortion.
Today I commit myself,
never to be silent,
never to be passive,
never to be forgetful of the unborn.
I commit myself to be active in the pro-life movement
And never to stop defending life
Until all my brothers and sisters are protected,
And our nation once again becomes
A nation with liberty and justice
Those Who have Lost a Child to Abortion
Lord of all Life,
You have entrusted us to the care of one another,
And called us to be one Body in Christ.
You call us to rejoice with those who rejoice,
And to weep with those who weep.
Hear our prayer today
For our brothers and sisters who have lost children to abortion.
Help us to understand
The pain that is in their hearts,
And to be a living sign to them
Of your welcome, your mercy, and your healing.
Help them to undergo with courage
The process of grief and the journey of healing.
Never allow them to feel alone;
Always refresh them with the presence of Your Spirit
And of their brothers and sisters in Christ.
Console them with the sure hope
That you love and care for their children.
Give them new strength,
That even while they grieve what they have lost,
They may look forward to all the good
That you still have in store for them.
Lord of healing and hope,
Give us all the forgiveness of our sins,
And the joy of your salvation.
We ask this in the name of Jesus the Lord. Amen.
— by Fr. Frank Pavone
Prayer To the Virgin Mary
O Mary, Mother of Jesus and Mother of us all, we turn to you today as the one who said “Yes” to Life. “You will conceive and bear a Son,” the angel told you. Despite the surprise and the uncertainty about how this could be, you said yes. “Be it done unto me according to your word.”
Mary, we pray today for all mothers who are afraid to be mothers. We pray for those who feel threatened and overwhelmed by their pregnancy. Intercede for them, that God may give them the grace to say yes and the courage to go on. May they have the grace to reject the false solution of abortion. May they say with you, “Be it done unto me according to your word.” May they experience the help of Christian people, and know the peace that comes from doing God’s will. Amen.
Prayer to the Blessed Trinity for the Cause of Life
O Most Holy Trinity, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, You have made us in Your image and breathed into our
faces the breath of life. We praise You, Who lovingly formed our immortal souls, meant to be Your
tabernacles. We praise You, Who wonderfully fashioned our bodies, meant to be instruments of
Your love. Each day You show us Your love anew. We are precious to You! Today we come before You
with hearts full of praise and thanksgiving for Your goodness. All that we are and have is from You. Of all
Your gifts to us, the greatest is life. And so we also come before You today with hearts grieving and
repentant, for every sin against this most precious gift. Dear Father and Creator of all life, through Your
Son Jesus Christ, we plead for Your mercy upon our land that continues to offend You gravely through
sins against life, particularly the sin of abortion. For us the Precious Blood of Your Son was shed, and His
Heart pierced with a lance. Our only hope is in that immense mercy! Look with mercy upon our hearts and
give us zeal to do our part in ending abortion. Help us to bring Your mercy, healing, and love to all
peoples so hurt and ruined by abortion. We especially beg for Your blessing upon our 40 Days for Life
Campaign this spring. Send Your Spirit to fill us with His wisdom and love, that we might truly build and
serve the Culture of Life. We ask that through us, Your mercy and love will end the bloodshed and ruin of
abortion.
In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
Prayer for Closing of Abortion Mills
Father, all life is in Your care. You have entrusted us to one another that we may show our brothers and
sisters the same love You have for us. We pray, then, for the least among us, the children in the womb.
Protect them from the violence of abortion. We pray for those who are scheduled to die at the (Kent
Planned Parenthood or Renton Cedar River abortion Clinic). Save them from death. Give new hope to
their parents that they may turn away from the desperate act of abortion. Grant conversion to the
abortionists and to the staff. Show us how we are to respond to the bloodshed in our midst, and lead us to
the day when this place of death will be transformed into a haven of life. Guard us with your joy and your
peace, for in You, life is victorious.
We pray in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Prayer to Saint Michael the Archangel
St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle; be our defense against the wickedness and snares of the
devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray, and do thou, O prince of the heavenly host, by the power of
God, thrust into hell Satan and all the other evil spirits who prowl about the world seeking the ruin of
souls.
Amen.
Our Lady of Guadalupe, Mother of Life
O Mary, bright dawn of the new world, Mother of the living, to you do we entrust the cause of life; Look
down, O Mother, upon the vast numbers of babies not allowed to be born, of the poor whose lives are
made difficult, of men and women who are victims of brutal violence, of the elderly and the sick killed by
indifference or out of misguided mercy. Grant that all who believe in your Son may proclaim the Gospel of
life with honesty and love to the people of our time. Obtain for them the grace to accept that Gospel as a
gift ever new, the joy of celebrating it with gratitude throughout their lives and the courage to bear witness
to it resolutely, in order to build, together with all people of good will, the civilization of truth and love, to
the praise and glory of God, the Creator and lover of life.
Amen.
–Pope John Paul II, The Gospel of Life
Pope Benedict’s Prayer For the Unborn
Lord Jesus,
You who faithfully visit and fulfill with your Presence
the Church and the history of men;
You who in the miraculous Sacrament of your Body and Blood
render us participants in divine Life
and allow us a foretaste of the joy of eternal Life;
We adore and bless you.
Prostrated before You, source and lover of Life,
truly present and alive among us, we beg you.
Reawaken in us respect for every unborn life,
make us capable of seeing in the fruit of the maternal womb
the miraculous work of the Creator,
open our hearts to generously welcoming every child
that comes into life.
Bless all families,
sanctify the union of spouses,
render fruitful their love.
Accompany the choices of legislative assemblies
with the light of your Spirit,
so that peoples and nations may recognize and respect
the sacred nature of life, of every human life.
Guide the work of scientists and doctors,
so that all progress contributes to the integral well-being of the person,
and no one endures suppression or injustice.
Give creative charity to administrators and economists,
so they may realize and promote sufficient conditions
so that young families can serenely embrace
the birth of new children.
Console the married couples who suffer
because they are unable to have children
and in Your goodness provide for them.
Teach us all to care for orphaned or abandoned children,
so they may experience the warmth of your Charity,
the consolation of your divine Heart.
Together with Mary, Your Mother, the great believer,
in whose womb you took on our human nature,
we wait to receive from You, our Only True Good and Savior,
the strength to love and serve life,
in anticipation of living forever in You,
in communion with the Blessed Trinity.
At Abortuary
We mourn the death of these children who were denied the right to life. Lord, look upon their mothers and fathers with mercy; and lead them to blessed forgiveness, we pray.
by Bishop Kevin C. Rhoades
From St. John Paul II
O Mary,
bright dawn of the new world,
Mother of the living,
to you do we entrust the cause of life
Look down, O Mother,
upon the vast numbers
of babies not allowed to be born,
of the poor whose lives are made difficult,
of men and women
who are victims of brutal violence,
of the elderly and the sick killed
by indifference or out of misguided mercy.
Grant that all who believe in your Son
may proclaim the Gospel of life
with honesty and love
to the people of our time.
Obtain for them the grace
to accept that Gospel
as a gift ever new,
the joy of celebrating it with gratitude
throughout their lives
and the courage to bear witness to it
resolutely, in order to build,
together with all people of good will,
the civilization of truth and love,
to the praise and glory of God,
the Creator and lover of life.
Evangelium Vitae, The Gospel of Life, 105
Source: Vatican.va
Redeemer in the Womb
Lord Jesus Christ, You took our human nature upon Yourself. You shared our life and death, our childhood and adulthood.
You also shared our time in the womb. While still God, while worshipped and adored by the angels, while Almighty and filling every part of the universe, You dwelt for nine months in the womb of Mary. You were our Redeemer in the womb, our God who has a preborn child.
Lord Jesus, we ask You to bless and protect the children who today are in their mothers’ womb. Save them from the danger of abortion. Give their mothers the grace to sacrifice themselves, in body and soul, for their children. Help all people to recognize in the preborn child a brother, a sister, saved by You, our Redeemer in the womb.
Prayer of Blessing
God, author of all life,
bless, we pray, this unborn child;
give constant protection
and grant a healthy birth
that is the sign of our rebirth one day
into the eternal rejoicing of heaven …
Meditations for Pro-Life Stations of the Cross
The First Station: Jesus is Condemned to Death
Though innocent, Jesus is condemned by the power of the State. In like manner, our innocent brothers and sisters in the womb have been condemned. Their rights and dignity are not recognized. In this, they bear a special likeness to Jesus.
The Second Station: Jesus is Made to Bear His Cross
The salvation of the world carried a heavy price for our Lord, the agony of the cross. As He accepts His cross, let us also resolve to endure suffering that others may live. Let us pay the price for standing up for our preborn brothers and sisters.
The Third Station: Jesus Falls the First Time
Almighty God was weak because He chose to be like us. He had power and glory from all eternity, yet He chose to be immersed in the world of suffering. We pray that the benefits and advantages we have in life may not cause us to forget our preborn brothers and sisters.
The Fourth Station: Jesus Meets His Afflicted Mother
There is no deeper relationship than that of mother and child. They belong together. When one suffers, the other suffers. To love and defend one means to love and defend the other. To be pro-life means to serve both the child and the mother. It means to ask our society, “Why can’t we love them both?”
The Fifth Station: The Cyrenian Helps Jesus Carry His Cross
Many watched the Lord suffer. Simon the Cyrenian helped alleviate that suffering. Many lament abortion. Some actually get involved to help to stop it. We pray that all people may take their active place in the pro-life movement.
The Sixth Station: Veronica Wipes the Face of Jesus
The compassion Veronica shows reflects the compassion of so many medical doctors and norses, who treat their patients with dignity. We pray for repentance and renewal in the medical profession. May the tools and skills meant for the healing nevermore be used for killing.
The Seventh Station: Jesus Falls the Second Time
In working to defend life, there are many setbacks and obstacles. Yet we know the meaning of the cross. In weakness, power reaches perfection. We do not look to our own strengths and talents alone, but to Christ. His own strength will sustain us.
The Eighth Station: Jesus Speaks to the Women of Jerusalem
Christ told these women to weep for themselves and for their children. He does not want false worship, but repentance. He does not want followers who cry out to Him but then ignore injustice and bloodshed. May all who believe in Christ likewise stand up for the defenseless children.
The Ninth Station: Jesus Falls the Third Time
Despite the falls, nothing can stop our Lord, because He is on a mission of love. If the pro-life movement is not a movement of love, it is nothing at all; but if it is a movement of love, then nothing will stop it. Love is stronger than death, more powerful than hell.
The Tenth Station: Jesus is Stripped of His Garments
Nobody can stop us from loving our preborn brothers and sisters. Those who are stronger than we are may strip us of popularity, possessions, or power, but they cannot strip us oflove. We love others with the same love that Christ showed for us.
The Eleventh Station: Jesus is Nailed to the Cross
The powers of this world crucified the God who made this world. All power and authority come from God. All who exercise power have to account for it before the throne of God. We pray that those in government may use their powers to protect the innocent babies in the womb.
The Twelfth Station: Jesus Dies on the Cross
Our Lord died. So many of His children have died with Him. His passion is re-lived with every abortion, one every twenty seconds in our country. We only know a fraction of the horror of this act in the sight of God. We only know a fraction of the horror of Christ’s crucifixion. May all our brothers and sisters killed by abortion rest in Christ’s peace and be saved by His cross.
The Thirteenth Station: Jesus is Taken Down from the Cross
Mary experienced the pain of holding her dead Son. So many mothers grieve after their abortions. We ask that Mary may comfort them, help them face the truth about abortion, and lead them to forgiveness and healing.
The Fourteenth Station: Jesus is Laid in the Tomb
A tomb is a memorial. It helps us remember the one who can no longer speak. May we and our society remember the babies who cannot speak. May we also remember Our Lord’s Resurrection, and His promise of eternal life. He has conquered abortion because He has conquered death. May we bring His victory to every part of our world!
Borrowed from https://www.priestsforlife.org
Prayer of Blessing Over Memorial for the Unborn
Father of Life and Love, we thank you today that you have called us to share in the life of the one human family. We thank you for all our brothers and sisters, and ask You to deepen the bonds of love among us.
We thank you especially for our youngest and smallest brothers and sisters, those in the womb. Today, Oh Lord, we remember them, while so many choose to ignore and forget them. We remember those who are living, and commend them to Your protection. We remember those who have died and we commend them to Your mercy.
Father, we dedicate to You this memorial stone. We pray that it will serve as a witness to the humanity of our youngest brothers and sisters. We pray that it will serve as a testimony that we are responsible for them. We pray that it will provide a place where those who have lost their children may mourn and find comfort.
We pray, Father, that we who are the living stones of the Church, may likewise be witnesses to the dignity of life. Give us the grace to confront the evil of abortion and eliminate it. May we see the day when all people who look upon this stone will remember abortion only as a thing of the past, and may praise You forever for the victory of life.
We ask this through Christ Our Lord. Amen.
Pro-Life Meditations on the Mysteries of the Rosary
Joyful Mysteries
The Annunciation
Mary is troubled by the angel’s greeting, yet rejoices to do God’s will. Let us pray that those who are troubled by their pregnancy may have the grace to trust in God’s will.
The Visitation
John the Baptist leapt for joy in his mother’s womb. We pray that people may realize that abortion is not about children who “might” come into the world, but is about children who are already in the world, living and growing in the womb, and are scheduled to be killed.
The Nativity
God Himself was born as a child. The greatness of a person does not depend on size, for the newborn King is very small. Let us pray for an end to prejudice against the tiny babies threatened by abortion.
The Presentation
The Child is presented in the Temple because the Child belongs to God. Children are not the property of their parents, nor of the government. They – and we – belong to God Himself.
The Finding of Jesus in the Temple
The boy Jesus was filled with wisdom, because He is God. Let us pray that all people may see the wisdom of His teachings about the dignity of life, and may understand that this teaching is not an opinion, but the truth.
Sorrowful Mysteries
The Agony in the Garden
Let us pray for mothers and fathers who are in agony because they are tempted to abort a child. May they be given the good news that there are alternatives, and may they make use of the help that is available.
The Scourging
As Christ’s flesh was torn by the instruments of those who scourged Him, so the bodies of babies in the womb are torn by the instruments of the abortionists. Let us pray that abortionists may repent of these acts of child-killing.
The Crowning With Thorns
Jesus suffered the pain of thorns in His head, and did so silently. We pray for the mothers and fathers of aborted children. So many of them suffer deep grief and regret over a choice they can never reverse. So many suffer in silence, because others tell them it’s no big deal.
The Carrying of the Cross
Jesus was not condemned by the power of wicked people. He was condemned because of the silence of good people. Silence always helps the oppressor, never the victim. Let us pray that we may never be silent about abortion, but rather will clearly speak up to save babies from death.
The Crucifixion
As we ponder the death of Christ, let us remember the many women who have died from so-called “safe, legal” abortions. Let us ask forgiveness and mercy for them. May their memory save other women from making this tragic mistake.
Glorious Mysteries
The Resurrection
Christ is Risen! By his Resurrection, He has destroyed the power of death, and therefore the power of abortion. The outcome of the battle for Life has already been decided: Life is victorious! Let us pray that all prolifers will spread this victory to every segment of our society.
The Ascension
By ascending to the Father’s throne, Christ takes our human nature, given to us in the womb, to the heights of heaven. He shows us that human beings are made to be raised to heaven, not thrown in the garbage. Let us pray that the world may learn this truth and reject abortion.
The Descent of the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is the Advocate: He pleads our cause, for we cannot save ourselves. We pray that He will make us advocates for the babies, who cannot speak or write or vote or protest or even pray.
The Assumption
The Blessed Virgin Mary was taken body and soul into heaven because she is the Mother of God. Mother and child are united. The Assumption reminds us that they belong together. We pray that society will see that it cannot love women while killing their children, and cannot save children without helping their mothers. We pray that people will be touched by the pro-life question, “Why can’t we love them both?”
The Coronation
Mary is the Queen of the Universe. The Church teaches that she is the greatest creature, second only to God Himself. The Church defends the dignity of women. We pray that people will understand that to be pro-life means to be pro-woman, and that to be pro-woman demands that we be pro-life.
Luminous Mysteries
First Luminous Mystery: Christ is Baptized in the Jordan
When Jesus is baptized, the Father’s voice is heard: “This is my beloved Son.” All are called to become adopted sons and daughters of God through baptism. We pray that children in the womb may be protected, so that they may be born and welcomed into the Christian community by baptism.
Second Luminous Mystery: Christ is made known at the Wedding of Cana
Jesus revealed His glory by the miracle at Cana. The new couple was blessed not only with wine, but with faith in Christ. Let us pray for strong marriages, rooted in the Lord, and open to the gift of new life.
Third Luminous Mystery: Christ proclaims the Kingdom and Calls All to Conversion
“Repent and believe the Good News.” Let us pray that these first words of Jesus’ public ministry may be heard by all who have committed abortion. May they know that the Lord calls them to conversion, and may they experience life-giving repentance.
Fourth Luminous Mystery: The Transfiguration
Christ is transformed on the mountain, and the disciples see His glory. May the eyes of all people be transformed, that they may see each and every human life as a reflection of the glory of God Himself.
Fifth Luminous Mystery: Jesus gives us the Eucharist
“This is My Body, given up for you.” The Eucharist teaches us how to live and how to love. Let us pray that parents who sacrifice the babies for the sake of themselves may learn instead to put themselves aside for the sake of their babies.
Prayer to the Virgin Mary
O Mary, Mother of Jesus and Mother of us all, we turn to you today as the one who said “Yes” to Life. “You will conceive and bear a Son,” the angel told you. Despite the surprise and the uncertainty about how this could be, you said yes. “Be it done unto me according to your word.”
Mary, we pray today for all mothers who are afraid to be mothers. We pray for those who feel threatened and overwhelmed by their pregnancy. Intercede for them, that God may give them the grace to say yes and the courage to go on. May they have the grace to reject the false solution of abortion. May they say with you, “Be it done unto me according to your word.” May they experience the help of Christian people, and know the peace that comes from doing God’s will. Amen.
Litany in Response to Abortion
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us.
God the Father, Creator of the world, have mercy on us.
RESPONSE: Have mercy on us!
God the Son, through whom all things were made,
God the Holy Spirit, Lord and Giver of Life,
Lord Jesus, the Beginning and the End,
Lord Jesus, the Way, the Truth, and the Life,
Lord Jesus, the Resurrection and the Life,
Lord Jesus, Eternal Word of Life,
Lord Jesus, living in the womb of the Virgin Mary,
Lord Jesus, Lover of the poor and weak,
Lord Jesus, Defender of the helpless,
Lord Jesus, Bread of Life,
For every sin against life,
For the sin of abortion,
For the daily killing of innocent babies,
For the bloodshed throughout our land,
For the silent screams of Your children,
For the killing of Your future disciples,
For the exploitation of women by abortion,
For the silence of Your people,
For the apathy of Your people,
For the cooperation of Your people in this tragedy,
For our pre-born brothers and sisters killed by abortion,
RESPONSE: Lord, hear our prayer.
For our pre-born brothers and sisters threatened by abortion,
For our brothers and sisters who have survived abortion,
For mothers who have had abortions,
For mothers tempted to have abortions,
For mothers pressured to have abortions,
For mothers who have refused to have abortions,
For the fathers of aborted babies,
For the families of aborted babies,
For the families of those tempted to have abortions
For abortionists,
For all who assist and cooperate in abortions,
For doctors and nurses, that they may nurture life,
For government leaders, that they may defend life,
For the clergy, that they may speak up for life,
For the pro-life movement,
For those who speak, write, and work to end abortion,
For those who help provide alternatives to abortion…
For those who promote adoption,
For national and local pro-life groups,
For unity in the pro-life movement,
For courage and perseverance in pro-life work,
For those who suffer ridicule and rejection for their stand for life,
For those imprisoned for defending life,
For those who have been injured and mistreated for defending life,
For legal professionals,
For courts and judges,
For police officers,
For educators,
For media professionals,
In thanksgiving for the babies saved from abortion,
In thanksgiving for the mothers saved and healed from abortion,
In thanksgiving for the former abortion providers who have become pro-life,
In thanksgiving for all those who take a stand against abortion,
In thanksgiving for the call to be part of the pro-life movement,
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, spare us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, graciously hear us,
O Lord, Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, have mercy on us.
Let us Pray
Almighty and ever-living God, You have created all things through Your Son Jesus Christ. He trampled the power of death by His Paschal Mystery. May all who acknowledge You promote the sacredness of life and always serve You faithfully, through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.
— By Fr. Frank Pavone