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. Pope Benedict's general prayer intention for March 2010 is "That the world economy may be managed according to the principles of justice and equity, taking account of the real needs of peoples, especially the poorest." That doesn't necessarily mean central planning (though Catholic social teaching does make it clear that government has a role to play in regulating the economy). Rather, Christians need to consider their own economic activity in the light of the Church's moral teachings. As Pope Benedict noted in his Message for Lent 2010, our charity to others is an extension of the divine justice that brought us salvation through Jesus Christ.
The Holy Father's mission intention for March 2010 is "That the Churches in Africa may be signs and instruments of reconciliation and justice in every part of that continent." After decades by violence following the final end of European colonialism and the rise of both communist regimes and Islam, many Africans are seeing that true peace can only come through the Christian Faith. The Church has a more important role to play in Africa today than at any time in the past, and we need to support our fellow Christians through prayer.
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