Prayers for use when lighting the AIDS Candle

19^th December

Throughout the world we are preparing for the birth of our lord Jesus Christ We pray that the planned anti-retroviral roll out will be implemented soon and that for many people living with HIV/AIDS this will also mean new beginnings of health, hope, faith and life.

26^th December

As the year draws to a close and people reflect on the past, present and future, we pray that the many people rejected by their families and friends as a result of their HIV status, will find comfort in Jesus’ eternal and unbounded love for them.

2^nd January

On this first Sunday of the year we pray that the breath of God will breathe on me, anew, and that I may love what Thou dost love, and that I may do what Thou wouldst do, especially to people living with HIV or AIDS.

9th January

We light this candle today in special memory of those who have died of HIV/AIDS since the 1^st January. Especially we pray today for those who have lost mothers to HIV/AIDS. May they find that special maternal love through our care for them.

16th January

We pray for the more than 4000 people who have died of HIV/AIDS since last Sunday. We especially pray for the mothers living with HIV and we lift up the pain they experience with their HIV-positive children. We ask that you bless them with your grace.

23^rd January

Heavenly father, we seem so powerless in preventing the spread of HIV. We pray that you guide and strengthen us in talking openly, constructively and sensitively about informed and responsible sexual behaviour with our children, our parents, our family and friends.

30^th January

Lord Jesus, we hear and read so many stories of child-headed families and the problems they have to overcome to survive, both economically as well as emotionally and spiritually. We pray that you inspire us to keep our eyes and hearts open to their plight.

6^th February

We thank you for all the work that is done by our parish AIDS committees and the many NGO’s that look after the well-being of people living with HIV/AIDS. Today we especially lift up to you the grandmothers and grandfathers who, after the death of their own children, are not allowed to enjoy their retirement but have to raise a second generation.

13^th February

We pray that in our parish we create an environment of love, care and support so that people living with HIV/AIDS feel free and safe to share their stories and where we also allow them to minister to us.

20th February

Christ is our hope and we are called to love, pray, support, respect, and care for people living with HIV/AIDS. Lord Jesus, please show each of us, in our individual situations, how we witness to you, our hope.

27^th February

Lord Jesus as we recall that firstly we have to love you, and secondly, that we love our neighbours as ourselves, we pray that you continue to cleans us of any tendency to judge and nurture stigma.

6^th March

We thank you for the work that has been done by the Dept. of Health in this Province, and we ask you to bless them and the medical staff in hospitals and clinics as they strive to roll-out of anti-retroviral treatment. May treatment quickly become available to all who need it.

13th March

Heavenly Father. Today more than 600 people will die of AIDS related diseases. And tomorrow and every day of this week the same number will die. Please let them not die unprepared and please be with their family and friends who may be confused and angry as they mourn..

20^th March (beginning of Holy Week and preceding Human Rights Day)

Lord Jesus. In this holy week, during which you were first greeted as an hero, but subsequently denied, rejected, tried and killed, we plead with you that you inspire all of us here present today to look inside ourselves, and repent of our sin of denial and of paying lip service to this devastating pandemic which, through our combined lethargy is causing so much pain and grief.

27^th March (Easter Sunday preceding Family Day)

May we, together with you, today and always, Lord Jesus, rise from the darkness of HIV/AIDS. May we be convicted of the fact that you are present in the HIVirus; that you are present in AIDS; that you are present in all who are living with HIV or AIDS. Please inspire us to see you in all those who are being judged and discriminated against as a result of the disease. Grant that we may establish your Kingdom here on earth. Tomorrow is Family day and we pray especially for the many child headed households on this continent.

1st May (WORKERS DAY)

As we commemorate Workers Day, we ask your special blessing on all those who work and devote their lives to respond creatively to HIV/AIDS. We pray for medical researchers, hospital superintendents, doctors, nurses, managers of clinics both in cities as well in rural areas, NGOs, counsellor and, home based caregivers. We lift up to you all those who work to prevent the spread of HIV as well all those who try and lighten the burden of those who are sick with HIV/AIDS related complications. We also pray for the many who battle to keep well in order earn a living.

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