Prayers for the week 25 February – 1 March 2019

1. Prayers for the week25 February – 1 March 2019 Prayer theme: Prayers for Women • 1st of March it is Women’s World Day of Prayer • It is a global ecumenical movement led by Christian women who welcome you to join in prayer and action for peace and justice. This year a gathering is happening in Slovenia. • The most significant thing that can be done to cure extreme poverty is this: Protect, educate, and nurture girls and women and provide them with equal rights and opportunities — educationally, economically, and socially.” • We pray for women and girls this week: for those who inspire us and for those in need. We pray that they may live the life God intended for them.

2. Monday 25 February Which women inspires you? Think of someone famous and of someone you know or have known personally. Why do they inspire? Pause for thought We thank you, God, for women who are kind, gentle and courageous. Help us to follow in their footsteps. Grant us the graces we need to make this school and the world a better place for all. Amen.

3. Monday 25 February A reading from the Gospel according to John Just then his disciples returned and were surprised to find him talking with a woman. But no one asked, “What do you want?” or “Why are you talking with her?” Then, leaving her water jar, the woman went back to the town and said to the people, “Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Messiah?” They came out of the town and made their way toward him. Many of the Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman’s testimony, “He told me everything I ever did.” This is an interesting story in the Bible, because it was not in line with people’s expectations. Jesus talked to a women and she talked back! After her encounter with Jesus she came to faith and told others about him. Loving God, Help us to encounter you with an open heart. We pray that we may have the same belief in our own value and potential as you have in us. Amen.

4. Tuesday 26 February We pray for unborn and infant girls Dear God, touch the lives of girls even before they are born. Let them be born healthy and whole, and let their parents love and cherish them as much as You do. Help people to see the true value of girls. Amen. • Girls face dangers before they are even born. In some cultures a preference for sons puts pressure on women to terminate their pregnancy if they are expecting a girl. Girls who survive until birth may be neglected, abandoned, or even killed. Seen as less valuable than boys, girls are less likely to be sent to school and may be the last to receive food or medical care.

5. Tuesday 26 February We pray for educational opportunities for girls. In many countries, children are unable to go to or finish school. Often priority is given to the education of boys. Girls are equally capable as boys and educating girls is a strategic development priority. Better educated women tend to be healthier, participate more in the formal labour market, earn higher incomes, have fewer children, marry at a later age, and enable better health care and education for their children, should they choose to become mothers. Lord, may You fulfillmany girls’ longing for wisdom and a better life. Bless them with a quality education, school supplies, and a family that supports their goals. 200 years ago Marie Madeleine and the FCJ sisters pioneered education for girls in Europe. Upton Hall 1863

6. Wednesday 27 February We pray for efforts to prevent child marriage. In Bangladesh, 1 of every 3 girls is married before age 15, often due to financial hardship or social pressure. Forced child marriage happens a lot throughout Africa, Asia, and the Middle East and often prevents them from reaching their potential. Jesus, show Your compassion to the multitudes of girls and women who endure the damaging physical and relational effects of child marriage. Holy Spirit, help their husbands love them. Reveal alternatives to parents or change the hearts of those who consider giving up their daughters for social status or financial gain.

7. Wednesday 27 February We pray for economic opportunities for women and girls living in poverty. Girls everywhere are vulnerable to exploitation when their families are extremely poor. The FCJ Learning and Development centre in the Philippines teaches women skills such as card making, weaving, bookkeeping and to operate small businesses. As women gain confidence in operating these businesses, they are able to positively influence family decision-making on important issues such as food choice, children’s education, healthcare, and child marriage. • Loving God, You delight in us when we honour You in our work. Bring opportunities for employment or business that fulfillsparents’ desires to make life better for their children. Amen. SrCiony FCJ teaching women in the Philippines

8. Thursday 28 February We pray for access to clean, safe drinking water. An estimated 33 million girls work more than 21 hours per week doing household chores at home. In many cultures, this includes collecting water for drinking, bathing, and cooking, a task they share with their moms. They must often walk hours every day to complete it, keeping them from going to school, and robbing mothers of time with their children. When wells are drilled in rural villages, women and girls no longer have to spend hours each day accessing water. • Dear Lord, • As millions of women and girls continue to walk every day to collect water, please walk beside them and keep them from harm. Bless the work of organizations that provide clean water so more women and girls can leave this task behind to lead more productive and meaningful lives. • Amen.

9. Thursday 28 February We pray for girls trapped in sexual exploitation and forced labour. Worldwide, 11.9 million girls ages 5 to 17 work as domestic labourers, according to the International Labour Organization. Unsuspecting children are often forced into child labour or the sex trade. • Jesus, • We come to You humbled by the struggles many girls face every day. Restore them to trusting relationships and self-confidence. Inspire leaders to create policies that address the causes of sexual exploitation and forced labour

10. Friday 1 March Song: Hail Mary, Gentle Women https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RERoQ1biLdE

11. Friday 1 March Examen Be silent and place yourself in God’s loving presence. Think about the good things that have happened this week and give thanks.​ Who have you left a good memory with this week? Look back over your week. Where have you felt joy and what has been difficult and challenged you? In the quiet of your heart, tell God about your experiences.​ Give thanks for who you are. As you look ahead, with what spirit will you enter next week? Ask God to help you.

12. Afternoon Prayer and Reflection Lord Thank you for the morning, for watching over me and walking with me. May I find joy and understanding this afternoon, in all I do. Grant me the zest and the strength I need to work for you until nightfall. Amen Let us pause for a few moments in silence and remember those family members and friends who need our prayers and support today………… Let us say together the prayer that Jesus taught his disciples: Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. Amen May the Lord bless us and keep us from all evil and bring us to everlasting life. Amen