December 1 - World Aids Day

Image from USCCB

The 1st of December, World AIDS Day, is the day when individuals and organisations from around the world come together to bring attention to the global AIDS epidemic. 2008 marks the 20th anniversary of World AIDS Day.

For more information, check out the Catholic Relief Services site with its two excellent, short videos here and here.

Let us pray...

God of our weary years,
God of our silent tears,
O good and gracious God,
you are the God of health and wholeness.
In the plan of your creation,
you call us to struggle in our sickness
and to cling always to the cross of your Son.
Father, we are your servants.
Many of us are now suffering with HIV or AIDS.
We come before you, and ask you,
if it is your holy will,
to take away this suffering from us,
restore us to health and lead us to know you
and your powerful healing,
love of body and spirit.
We ask you also
to be with those of us who nurse your sick ones.
We are the mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers,
children, and friends of your suffering people.
It is so hard for us to see those whom we love suffer.
You know what it is to suffer.
Help us to minister in loving care, support, and patience
to your people who suffer with HIV and AIDS.
Lead us to do whatever it will take
to eradicate this illness from the lives of those
who are touched by it,
both directly and indirectly.

Trusting in you and the strength of your Spirit,
we pray all these things in the name of Jesus.
Amen.

(The prayer is from the African American Affairs office of the USCCB)

-ConcordPastor