Prayer for the World March 11, 2026
- 2 days ago
- 3 min read
Call to Conversion, to Compassion
Introduction
Despite the global consensus against the death penalty, with over 70% of nations abolishing it either in law or practice, the United States is a stark outlier. It remains the only developed country in the Western Hemisphere that continues to execute its own citizens, perpetuating a profoundly flawed notion of ‘justice.” And so we pray for the end of the death penalty, especially in our own country. May we love as our God of Mercy loves, with compassion and forgiveness versus punishment and retribution.
Song: O Lord Heart My Prayer,” Taize Chant
O Lord, hear my prayer. O Lord, hear my prayer. When I call, answer me.
O Lord, hear my prayer. O Lord, hear my prayer. Come and listen to me.
Reading
World Against the Death Penalty is a coalition of from 160 to 180 organizations which includes Catholic Mobilizing Network (CMN), a recipient of one of our Empowerment grants. This Coalition unifies the global abolitionist movement and mobilizes civil society, political leaders, lawyers, public opinion and more to support the call for the universal abolition of capital punishment.
Statistics: 110 States have abolished the death penalty for all crimes; 27 States are abolitionists in practice; 55 States retain the death penalty. The 5 States that executed the most in the world in 2021 are, in order: China, Iran, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Syria. 28, 670 individuals are known to be under a sentence of death around the world at the end of 2021--2,100 are in the U.S.
Let us keep in mind that “not even a murderer loses his or her personal dignity, and God himself pledges to guarantee this.” The firm rejection of the death penalty shows to what extent it is possible to recognize the inalienable dignity of every human being and to accept that he or she has a place in the universe. If I do not deny that dignity to the worst of criminals, I will not deny it to anyone. I will give everyone the possibility of sharing this planet with me, despite all our differences. Fratelli Tutti, #269, Exhortation by Pope Francis
Silent Prayer
Reading
The U.S. Bishops issued the following statement re the death penalty in 2003: Society has a duty to defend life against violence and to reach out to victims of crime. … But our nation’s continued reliance on the death penalty cannot be justified. Because we have other ways to protect society that are more respectful of human life, the USCCB supports efforts to end the use of the death penalty and in the meantime to restrain its use through broader use of DNA evidence, access to effective counsel, and errors to address unfairness and injustice related to the application of the death penalty.
And finally, Pope Leor XIV has stated: Anyone who says they are prolife cannot support the death penalty.
Let us pray: Loving God, whose mercy is endless and compassion inexhaustible, look kindly on us as we stand before you accepting your unconditional love for us and for all of our brothers and sisters. We trust in your love for us and for all creation.
Today we pray especially for all those impacted by the death penalty:
For victims of violence and their families, that they may experience healing
For those on death row, that their lives may be spared, that the innocent may be freed and that the guilty may acknowledge their wrongdoing and experience reconciliation
For the families and loved ones of those who are facing execution, that they may be comforted and supported.
Compassionate God, guide us with your Holy Spirit to work to end the use of the death penalty and to build a society that truly chooses life in all situations.
We ask this in the name of your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen. Catholic Mobilizing Network
Silent Prayer
Song
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