Finding ways to take action to protect life has always been a focus of the Church. As the USA approaches the anniversary of the Roe v. Wade decision that led to legal abortion in all 50 states, prolife groups from across the nation are preparing to meet in Washington, D.C. on January 22 for the March for Life.

While not everyone can participate in the March itself, we can all join in prayer and sacrifice. The U.S. Bishops recently kicked off a three-pronged effort of prayer, penance and pilgrimage to promote a culture of life.

The pilgrimage, of course, is the March for Life. The penance, a personal sacrifice, is up to you. And the Bishops have made the prayer part easy with the 9 Days for Life app that was released last week. It is based on a novena (a prayer effort over the course of 9 days) with a different prolife focus each day.

9 days for life app screen views

The U.S. Bishops Conference has suggested that we bracket the March for Life date in prayer, so the 9 Days for Life program runs from January 18 through 26.

The FREE app, available for both iOS and Android, opens to a calendar format that also displays the number of people who have downloaded the app to pray along with this novena. As you select the day, you’re directed to the content of the reflections, prayer and several ideas for penitential acts.

If you don’t have a smartphone or tablet, or prefer not to use an app, there are still ways for you to participate:

  • Text message. Text “9DAYS” to 99000 to receive a link to the novena content on your phone each day.
  • Email. Sign up for a daily email with the novena prayer, suggested acts of reparation and reflections.
  • Website. The main novena webpage has links to each days’ prayer, reflection and penance.
  • Facebook. Join the Facebook event for the 9 Days for Life and interact with others as you pray and sacrifice to advance the culture of life.

In addition, the 9 Days for Life page includes resources for group leaders and a wealth of other content.

Dedicate some time each day to prayer and work on behalf of building a culture of life in our nation and our world. The Bishops’ program is a great place to start.

Have you begun any special pro-life prayers or actions as the March for Life approaches?

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Copyright 2014 Barb Szyszkiewicz

About the Author

Barb Szyszkiewicz

Barb Szyszkiewicz

Barb Szyszkiewicz, senior editor at CatholicMom.com, is a wife, mom of 3 young adults, and a Secular Franciscan. Barb enjoys writing, cooking, and reading, and is a music minister at her parish. Find her blog at FranciscanMom and her family’s favorite recipes with nutrition information at Cook and Count. Barb is the author of The Handy Little Guide to Prayer and The Handy Little Guide to the Liturgy of the Hours, available from Our Sunday Visitor.