Praying to end abortion and the other crimes against life and family is vital if we want our efforts to be truly fruitful.

Saint Teresa of Calcutta, wanting to express the power of prayer, especially prayer in front of the Blessed Sacrament, once stated “If people spent an hour a week in Eucharistic Adoration, abortion would be ended.”
It may seem at times that prayer is a waste of time, that it is far better to be doing than praying. But it is prayer which renders our actions fruitful. It is prayer which changes hearts. Most importantly, it is prayer which changes our own hearts, animating us with the right disposition to go about our work. When we pray, we become more open to the Holy Spirit’s movements, and gain the wisdom to know what to do and when.
Reflection
In his encyclical letter Evangelium Vitae, Saint John Paul II discusses the importance of prayer for all those who work for a culture of life and love.

In this great endeavour to create a new culture of life we are inspired and sustained by the confidence that comes from knowing that the Gospel of life, like the Kingdom of God itself, is growing and producing abundant fruit (cf. Mk 4:26-29). There is certainly an enormous disparity between the powerful resources available to the forces promoting the “culture of death” and the means at the disposal of those working for a “culture of life and love”. But we know that we can rely on the help of God, for whom nothing is impossible (cf. Mt 19:26).
Filled with this certainty, and moved by profound concern for the destiny of every man and woman, I repeat what I said to those families who carry out their challenging mission amid so many difficulties: 135 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. Jesus himself has shown us by his own example that prayer and fasting are the first and most effective weapons against the forces of evil (cf. Mt 4:1-11). As he taught his disciples, some demons cannot be driven out except in this way (cf. Mk 9:29). Let us therefore discover anew the humility and the courage to pray and fast so that power from on high will break down the walls of lies and deceit: the walls which conceal from the sight of so many of our brothers and sisters the evil of practices and laws which are hostile to life. May this same power turn their hearts to resolutions and goals inspired by the civilization of life and love.
Saint John Paul II, Evangelium Vitae #100
Action
Ask your parish priest to instigate a Holy Hour, or a pro-life rosary, dedicated to praying for the cause of life at least once a month. Make sure you attend the Holy Hours, rosary, or other prayer initiative that you have asked for.
Prayer
We pray for every little child and especially for those who live in their mother’s womb, that they might grow in the image and likeness of the God who made them. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
For a suggested prayer outline for a Holy Hour for Life visit the United States Conference of Bishops website.
