Praying for the people of Syria

On my own personal blog this week I have started praying the novena to Our Lady of Perpetual Help for the people of Syria and peace in that country. The stories on the news of late are getting more and more horrific with the violence affecting more and more people. Apparently over 20,000 have been killed since the uprising began 17 months ago. 20,000...that's almost half the population of Horsham.

It is easy to watch the news or read the papers and feel somewhat helpless, what can we here in the UK do?  Since we are so far away what aid or assistance can we offer? Prayer is the single most powerful tool at our disposal. It is has more impact than any weapon, is more soothing than any cure and those of Our Lady have the most potency of all. Our Lord always listens to the requests of his Blessed Mother, she who carried him in her womb, raised and nurtured him, who quietly followed him during his ministry. Of all people of earth she was closest to him at all times, so out of love for all the people in Syria who are suffering so greatly please join me in asking her for help.

Dear Mother of Perpetual Help 
from the cross Jesus gave you to us for our Mother. 
You are the kindest, 
the most loving of all mothers. 
Look tenderly on us your children 
as we now ask you to help us 
in all our needs especially this one.

We pray for peace in Syria and for justice its people. We pray that they will be reconciled to one another and live in harmony.

While you were on earth, 
dear Mother you willingly shared in the sufferings of your Son. 
Strengthened by your faith and confidence in the fatherly love of God 
you accepted the mysterious designs of His Will. 
We too have our crosses and trials. 
Sometimes they almost crush us to the ground. 

Dearest Mother, share with us your abundant faith and confidence in God. 
Make us aware that God never ceases to love us; 
that He answers all our prayers in the way that is best for us. 
Strengthen our hearts to carry the cross
in the footsteps of your Divine Son. 
Help us to realize that he who shares the cross of Christ 
will certainly share His resurrection. 

Dearest Mother, as we worry about our own problems 
let us not forget the needs of others. 
You always love others so much; 
help us to do the same. 
While praying for our own intentions 
and for all the intentions of all here present 
at this Novena we earnestly ask you, our Mother, 
to help us comfort the sick and the dying,
give hope to the poor and unemployed, 
heal the broken-hearted,
lighten the burden of the oppressed, 
teach justice to their oppressors 
and bring back to God all those who have offended Him. 

Dearest Mother, help us to avoid sin 
which separates us from our heavenly Father 
and from one another. 
Full of trust in you, 
we place ourselves under the mantle of your maternal protection and confidently hope for your powerful help.
Amen.