SWEDEN: NOVENA PRAYERS IN HONOR OF ST. ANTHONY

        
   
Daily Opening Prayer

Most loving Father, your saints are your glory now and forever. Bless me as I turn to your devoted servant, St. Anthony for his brotherly support as my heavenly helper. May be obtain for me, according to your holy will, these favors (name them) I request during these nine days of prayer. Amen.


1st Day

Your Word, O Lord:? "This is my beloved Son on whom my favor rests. Listen to him." (Mt 17:5)

Prayer: St. Anthony, kindly plead for me that I may truly makes Jesus my trailblazer to glory. May I heed the Father's bidding and listen to Jesus who speaks to us through Scriptures, homilies, inspirations, and daily happenings. As hearer and doer of the word, may I be found pleasing to the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

2nd Day

Your Word, O Lord: "I give you my word ... whatever you ask for in prayer, it shall be done for you." (Mk 11:24)

Prayer: St. Anthony, be my partner in prayer. Help me to caste aside all hurts concerning apparently fruitless praying. Christ's all-embracing "whatever" guarantees that no true prayer leaves anyone the loser. God our Father knows our needs far more accurately than we do. He wants what is best for His Children. He wants me to take heart from Christ's promise of answers to all prayers. Amen.

3rd Day

Your Word, O Lord: "Fear nothing, then. You are worth more than a flock of sparrows." (Lk 12:7)

Prayer: St. Anthony, I sometimes fear God's rebuke on account of my many sins. Help me repent, and rebuild my life and know of His lasting love. He cares even for sparrows, and sent His Son to redeem humans like me. May my Savior's comforting words buttress my wobbly faith in God's abiding and forgiving love. Amen.

4th Day

Your Word, O Lord:  "Whoever does the will of my heavenly Father is brother, and sister, and mother to me." (Mt 12:50)

Prayer: St. Anthony, I praise God for your eagerness to respond to His summons to sainthood. You were convinced that He willed holiness for you. Pray that I too may loving accept and do the Father's will. Then even during this life I can become next-of-kin to Jesus Christ. For this blessed relationship with my Lord, I implore your intercession. Amen.

5th Day

Your Word, O Lord: "Be on your way! Your faith has healed you." (Mk 10:52)

Prayer: St. Anthony, please make me an encourager, like those who told blind Bartimaeus when Jesus arrived in their district: "You have nothing to fear from him!  Get up! He is calling you!" (Mk 10:49) And the God-Man of miracles called that sightless one to clearsightedness! May my active charity become a plea that Jesus finds irresistible, that I may go my way renewed and rejoicing. Amen.

6th Day

Your Word, O Lord: "I give you a new commandment: Love one another. Such as my love has been for you, so must your love be for each other." (Jn 13:34)

Prayer: St. Anthony, you made the Gospel your guidebook and rule of life. You attached supreme importance to the new commandment so dear to the Heart of Jesus. Confidently I bring to you all my prayer intentions. May I make a grateful return to Jesus for His love by wanting and trying to love others because our Savior loves us all. Amen.

7th Day

Your Word, O Lord: "Peace is my farewell to you, my peace is my gift to you: I do not give it to you as the world gives peace. Do not be distressed or fearful." (Jn 14:27)

Prayer: St. Anthony, you always sought to promote the blessedness of peace, never the tumult of discord. Turmoil and strife still prevail today, in utter disregard of Christ's farewell gift of peace. That I may truly appreciate this gift and yearn to share it all around, I lift my heart in prayer. Amen.

8th Day

Your Word, O Lord: "You will suffer in the world. But take courage! I have overcome the world.: (Jn 16:33)

Prayer: St. Anthony, you lived your Christian faith with cheerful and hopeful spirit that so befits all Christians. Obtain for me, I entreat you, such steadfast faith in Christ who overcomes. Whatever trials befall me from this day forward, may I trust God to adjust to my strength the burden He lays on my shoulders. St. Anthony, help me with your powerful intercession. Amen.

9th Day

Your Word, O Lord: "... your names are inscribed in heaven." (Lk 10:20)

Prayer: St. Anthony, you reached out far and wide with the glad tidings of salvation. Patiently and courageously you gave yourself to helping thousands of pilgrims along the way to the Father's home. Through your prayers may I find courage in Jesus' pledge that our names are written in the Father's heart, where unending joy awaits the redeemed of the Lord. Amen.


Daily Closing Prayer of Thanks

Heavenly Father, hear the prayer of this undeserving receiver of your good gifts. With the Blessed Mother Mary, St. Anthony, and all the saints in heaven, I acknowledge that He who is mighty has done great things for me. Thank you, Father, for your mercies of yesterdays and yesteryears. Into your hands I entrust my future, because of your merciful and generous love. Amen.


------------------------------------------------------
Courtesy: Franciscan Mission Associates
PO Box 598
Mount Vernon, N. Y. 10551 - 0598
------------------------------------