Bishop Baker's Prayer for Our President and Public Officials

Bishop Robert J. Baker, Diocese of Birmingham, was on EWTN's The World Over last night talking about the recent events involving Pelosi & her visit to the Pope. He had some strong things to say about the whole abortion issue. He made it very clear that what we are battling is demonic in its origin. & that our 1st weapon needs to be prayer. (Regular readers of this blog won't be surprized at his saying that.) He also talked about the similarities between what is going on now in the USA with how Germany bought into Nazi philosophy & how much alike they are. (Something he pointed out Archbishop Burke also feels.) He is also in constant dialog with the Catholic politicians in his diocese & they are aware that he will ban them from Communion if they force him to. Given he has done so in the past, they know he isn't bluffing.

They also mentioned a prayer he wrote for public officials. Raymond Arroyo posted it on his EWTN blog, Seen and Unseen, & I present it here below. As Raymond said: "And God knows they could use prayers..."

A Pro-Life Prayer for Our President and Public Officials

Lord God, Author of Life and Source of Eternal Life, move the hearts of all our public officials and especially our President, to fulfill their responsibilities worthily and well to all those entrusted to their care. Help them in their special leadership roles, to extend the mantle of protection to the most vulnerable, especially the defenseless unborn, whose lives are threatened with extermination by an indifferent society. Guide all public officials by your wisdom and grace to cease supporting any law that fails to protect the fundamental good that is human life itself, which is a gift from God and parents. You are the Protector and Defender of the lives of the innocent unborn. Change the hearts of those who compromise the call to protect and defend life. Bring our nation to the values that have made us a great nation, a society that upholds the values of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness for all. Mary, the Mother of the living, help us to bear witness to the Gospel of Life with our lives and our laws, through Christ, Our Lord. Amen.
Imprimatur: January 22, 2009 + Most Reverend Robert J. Baker Bishop of Birmingham in Alabama

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I know that the Bishop of a Diocese is the 1 who issues the imprimatur. But in this case it does raise an interesting question of conflict of interest. Although in this case there is clearly no reason to worry.