Pope Benedict's Prayer Intentions for July 2009

Each month, Pope Benedict XVI announces his special prayer intentions—particular things that he wishes all Catholics to pray for that month. (When, for instance, we pray the rosary and say the prayers at the end for the intentions of the Holy Father, these are the intentions for which we're praying.)

Pope Benedict offers two intentions every month, one general, and one for a particular Catholic missionary activity. His general prayer intention for July 2009 is "That the Christians of the Middle East may live their faith in full freedom and be an instrument of peace and reconciliation." The situation of the Christians in the Middle East is more precarious than it has been for centuries. Yet in the birthplace of Christianity, the best hope for peace is through the revival of Christian communities, living the Christian life.

Pope Benedict's mission intention is "That the Church may be the seed and nucleus of a humanity reconciled and reunited in God's one and only family, thanks to the testimony of all the faithful in every country of the world." We think of missionary activity as taking place somewhere else. Yet all Christians are called to witness to their fellow men, wherever they may be. Our missionary activity includes living our lives as Christians among our families, friends, and neighbors, so that they may see the truth of Christianity reflected in our actions.

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