A call for prayer from Sudan Catholic Bishops’ conference Credits: Sudan Catholic Bishops’ conference
Novena for South Sudan
South Sudan emerges as a new nation on 9 July 2011. The Catholic Church in Sudan is inviting all people of goodwill to take part in nine days of prayer for the future of the new state.
This novena begins on June 29, 2011 and ends on July 7, 2011.
God of Mercies,
We thank you for your great love for us.
We ask you to guide all our leaders
in the process of nation building.
Grant them your wisdom, compassion and fortitude.
Loving God,
give us courage to reject ethnic resentment
as well as ethnic conflicts.
Through the intercession of St. Josephine Bakhita,
help us to overcome hurt, hostility and bitterness in our hearts
so that we become reconciled citizens in our new nation.
Renew in us the will for honest and hard work
and bring us closer to you in the spirit of service,
unity and lasting peace.
Loving God, we pray for our heroes,
our martyrs and all innocent people
who died during the long years of war.
We pray in thanksgiving for all those
who stood with us in solidarity
To bring about peace.
Unite us from every tribe, tongue and people.
Send your Holy Spirit upon us
and may your Will be done in us.
God, bless our new nation;
bless the Republic of South Sudan;
bless also the Republic of Sudan.
in Jesus’ name. Amen