Psalm 61:1-4
Hear my cry, O God;
Listen to my prayer!
In despair and far from home
I call to you.
Take me to a safe refuge,
for you are my protector,
my strong defence against my enemies.
Let me live in your sanctuary all my life;
let me find safety under your wings.
In Saint John's Gospel we read of Jesus' new commandment (Jn. 14:34) "And now I give you a new commandment: love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another." Bullying is a sin against this commandment to love. It is also a sin against self because the person who bullies fails to have love for themselves or for others. Bullying is a form of evil that destroys life and love.
This month, we pray against this violence which is contrary to God's commandment to "Love one another." We remember all children and young people who suffer in silence. We ask God to help them, to give them courage to speak out and to trust in Him. We also pray for those who are bullying. May God fill them with his love so that they may become love themselves.
Prayer of a child being bullied
Oh Jesus, can you help me, I am frightened and alone.
Someone I know is bullying me and I have nowhere else to go.
I'm afraid to tell my teacher and I just can't tell my mam.
My friends will only make things worse,
Please help me, as you can.
Oh Jesus can you help me, this person that I spoke of
will just not let me be.
They punch me and they call me names, and I just want to die.
Please find a way to see me through the awful mess I'm in.
I want them just to go away and leave me be in peace.
Some say you are a gentle God, so loving and so kind.
Please help this person to be good and start behaving as they should.
I thank you for the listening ear and
pray that you will quell my fear.
Amen.
Jesus speaks to us.
"But now I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you." (Mt.5:44)
"Forgive us the wrongs we have done, as we forgive the wrongs
that others have done to us."
(Mt. 6:12)
"Do not judge others, so that God will not judge you."
(Mt. 7:1)
"Ask, and you will receive."
(Mt. 7:7)
"Not everyone who calls me "Lord, Lord' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only those who do what my Father in heaven wants them to do."
(Mt. 7:21)
Prayers of petition
Jesus, help me to love everyone as you have commanded, even those who hurt me and can not stand the sight of me. Teach me Lord, Jesus Christ, to love all just as you did.
In the Lord's Prayer I am called to forgive others the wrongs that they have done to me. I pray for the gift of love and understanding so that I may be able to forgive everyone with no exceptions.
Jesus, you have told me not to judge others. This is not an easy task. I pray that you will always remind me when I slip in this area and want to point the finger at others.
Remind me dear Jesus, to look at my own imperfections and not at others.
When I am lonely and afraid or just need some help, let me have the faith to ask sweet Jesus, and to know that if it be God's holy will my request will be granted.
Jesus, you have said that only those who do the will of your Father will enter the kingdom of heaven. Help me to listen to God's word and to do what he asks of me in all situations.
Amen.