Our Prayers for 2013

In his missionary prayer intention for August, Pope Benedict asks us that the churches of Africa, faithful to the Gospel proclamation, may promote the building of peace and justice.

There is much hope on our continent. Many countries are experiencing economic growth and democratic principles are taking ever firmer roots in many places throughout the continent.

At the same time, some African countries are resisting the greater freedoms which democratisation affords citizens. From the coup in Mali to the intractable war in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo to the supercilious monarchy in Swaziland, many Africans remain oppressed by those who exploit, demean and disdain them.

Zimbabweans may go to the polls this year, under circumstances that do not dispel concerns about violence and vote rigging, and there are grave concerns that voting in Kenya might spark off violence, in an echo of 2008.

We pray that Africa may be swept by a wave of peace and stability, guided by freely elected, transparent and accountable governments.

South Africa itself has lived through a turbulent political year. The dust from the African National Congress’ leadership battle must now settle, and the governing party must show unity in purpose in meeting the mandate given to it by the majority of voters: to govern the country well.

We pray that in doing so, those in the seats of power may sacrifice their selfish and often corrupt ways to serve the people, especially the poor.

The Arab Spring, which started with so much promise two years ago, has also yielded some poisonous fruit. The civil war in Syria has not only ruined the country, but threatens to destabilise neighbouring countries, especially Lebanon, whose own civil war brought so much destruction and misery.

We pray that peace may triumph in a region known for its combustible politics, and in doing so, we keep in mind especially our Christian brothers and sisters who are rightly feeling fearful about their future.

Likewise, we pray that the light of peace may shine through the fog of politics in the Holy Land. Israeli voters have the power in January to give their leaders a mandate to open the gates to peace, which have been kept locked to a great extent due to the actions of the present government and its predecessors.

At the same time, Palestinians must feel encouraged by the diplomatic success of President Mahmoud Abbas, and reject the recalcitrance of his rivals, Hamas. The international community, the majority of which has shown that it favours the two-state solution advocated by the Vatican and others, must exercise severe pressure on all parties that stand in the way of peace in the region.

In our prayers, we again keep in mind the Christians of the Holy Land, most of them Palestinians, that they may live in true liberty in the land of Our Lord.

The Catholic Church’s focus lately has been on the means of evangelisation, especially in societies that once were Christian but have now abandoned God.

We pray that the Year of Faith will bear abundant fruit in the endeavours of the New Evangelisation. May the Year of Faith also communicate the richness of Catholic teachings and tradition through persuasion, acknowledging that an enforced consensus represents no consensus at all.

We also pray for the youth who will participate in the World Youth Day (WYD) event in Rio de Janeiro in August. Past WYDs have demonstrated that among many young people, even from westernised regions, there remains a thirst for Christ and his Church.

In South America as in Africa and Asia the Catholic Church is facing competition for the attention of young people not from those who reject Christ, but from churches whose views of him do not always coincide with that of the church he founded.

By holding WYD 2013 in Brazil, the Catholic Church has an opportunity to express itself as a vibrant community of God in whose sacraments and teachings our Lord truly lives. We pray that this message will be effectively delivered and heard.

And finally, we pray that the readers, associates, friends and supporters of The Southern Cross may have a blessed and peaceful 2013.