Year of Grace Series: National Prayer for the Year of Grace.

The Year of Grace is an Australian Bishops initiative inspired by Blessed Pope John Paul 11's Apostolic letter Novo Millenio Ineurate. In this letter the late Pope challenged the Church to' contemplate the face of Christ and to Start afresh from Christ'.

The Year commenced on Pentecost Sunday 2012 and finishes on Pentecost Sunday 2013.

Although it is an Australian initiative from the Bishops, there is no reason why you could not join your Australian brothers and sisters in Christ through prayer for us, and by joining us on this spiritual journey. For example, you could bring the global world to your parish by including this intention of the Year of Grace in the Prayers of the Faithful at Mass, or perhaps use one of the decades of the rosary recited either personally or in your parish. You could even commit to saying the The Year of Grace prayer which I will include in the series, each day/each week.

Today's post offers the National Prayer for the Year of Grace.

Gracious God, You have blessed this ancient land with many gifts,

especially the people.

We thank You for the Year of Grace ,

a time to start afresh from Christ.

You invite us to contemplate the face of Jesus Your Son

that we may experience a new wave of grace

and that the light of Christ may burn more brightly in our lives.

Attune our hearts and minds to the presence of Your Holy Spirit,

that our Church may be transformed,

our relationships be healed

and our nation grow in compassion and justice.

With the intercession of St Mary MacKillop,

who showed us new ways of living the Gospel,

we make our prayer through Christ our Lord,

Amen

Mary Help of Christians pray for us.

Now that you have the National prayer, what will What will YOU do with this prayer in your Year of Grace?  A few suggestions include:

•  Ask the Holy Spirit to give you the grace to make a difference during this Year of Grace.  Ask Him to show you the best way to use this prayer during this time.
• Commit to saying this prayer each day/each week personally.
• Encourage others to say this Prayer with you.  For example, you may choose to say it as a grace before or after meals with your family during this Year of Grace or perhaps on selected nights.
• Encourage others to pray this prayer at the parish level:  For example, why not ask your parish priest whether it could be said a few minutes before or after Mass on Sunday and/or during the week.
• Use this prayer at beginning of Pastoral council meetings, prayer groups, Bible study groups etc
• Have some copies in your handbag, and when the moment arrives, be inspired to give it to somone you meet (eg shopping centre).

I invite all my brothers and sisters in Christ to join your Australian brothers and sisters and pray this prayer with us during this year and join in our Year of Grace.