Prayer for Marriage Trial in California

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This January 11, 2010, in the Federal District Court in San Francisco a trial will begin which challenges the legitimacy of Proposition 8, the California constitutional amendment that restored the definition of traditional marriage which voters in the state of California had adopted in 2008, and which was summarily overturned by judicial fiat.. Since this case conceivably could go all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court, it could have a bearing on marriage for the entire nation. We invite you to pray both that the rights of voters engaging in a legitimate constitutional process (the adoption of an amendment to the state constitution) will be protected, and that there may be a conversion of minds and hearts within the state and within the nation about the true nature of marriage. To that end we offer the following petitions for your daily prayer:

Meditation: Our Lady of Guadalupe spoke to Saint Juan Diego "Let not your heart be disturbed. Do not fear any sickness or anguish. Am I not here, who is your Mother? Are you not under my protection? Am I not your health? Are you not happily within my fold? What else do you wish? Do not grieve nor be disturbed by anything." Let us Pray Remember, O most gracious Virgin of Guadalupe, that in your apparitions on Mount Tepeyac you promised to show pity and compassion to all who, loving and trusting you, seek your help and protection. Accordingly, listen now to our supplications and grant us consolation and relief. We are full of hope that, relying on your help, nothing can trouble or affect us. As you have remained with us through your admirable image, so now obtain for us the graces we need. Amen

Heavenly Father, from the beginning You established marriage as the permanent union of one man and one woman for the purpose of establishing that necessary community of lasting love in which children may best be born and nurtured.

At this dark hour, in which the goodness of your Divine Purpose is so badly misunderstood, and in which those who have tried to bear witness to the truth have been brought to trial, we beg you to hear these prayers we offer You, through the Holy Child, Jesus, and the intercession of the rest of the Holy Family of Nazareth—of His mother Mary, especially under the title of Our Lady of Guadalupe, and St. Joseph, the earthly father and protector of the family—and through the intercession of Holy Joachim and Ann, parents of Mary and grandparents of Jesus:

Prayer Petitions

     Open the mind and heart of all who are involved in this trial—the judge, the attorneys, and litigants—that all may come to understand and accept Your Divine Plan for marriage. Inspire them to appreciate and affirm the delight You take in what has come to be known as traditional marriage. Let us pray to the Lord.

R: Lord, hear our prayer.

      Guide the trial judge, Chief Judge Vaughn Walker, that he may deliberate wisely, and may respect the legitimate actions of the voters. By your Holy Spirit inspire him to understand the rights of children to know and be cared for by their own father and mother. Let us pray to the Lord.

R: Lord, hear our prayer.

     Send Your Holy Spirit, we beg You, upon the attorneys and witnesses to guide them in their presentations. Clear up their misconceptions and misperceptions, and help them to reason truthfully and to present compelling arguments. Let us pray to the Lord.

R: Lord, hear our prayer.

     Let the plaintiffs feel Your love and peace; console their pain and suffering and let them understand that support for traditional marriage is based, not on whim or animosity towards any person, but on the preservation of an institution that promotes and enshrines mutual, exclusive, and permanent marital love between a man and a woman as the necessary foundation for the creation and nurturing of new life, and for the future and stability of society. Let us pray to the Lord.

R: Lord, hear our prayer.

     Let those in the media who are charged with the task of reporting on the trial be accurate and faithful in their work, not swayed by prejudice or bent on misleading the public or influencing the outcome of the trial. And heal all pain and suffering, prejudices, discrimination and persecution that may be experienced by proponents or opponents of traditional marriage. Let us pray to the Lord.

R: Lord, hear our prayer.

      Raise up vibrant Christian families, Lord, and bless, and protect all families that seek to do Your holy will. Let us pray to the Lord.

R: Lord, hear our prayer.

Conclude with the prayer at right to the Virgin of Guadalupe