Pope’s General Prayer Intention for July

( July,30, 2009):Pope Benedict XVI’s general prayer intention for the month of July is that that the Christians of the Middle East may live their faith in full freedom and be an instrument of peace and reconciliation.
July’s intention notes that the daily news coming from the Middle East shows a growth of alarming situations, giving rise among those involved, to thoughts of retaliation and revenge, but these are not Christian sentiments, says the Pope. He urges Catholics to patience and humble dialogue, saying listening to each other and understanding the situation of others has already brought positive results in many countries devastated by violence and revenge.
Expressing his closeness and solidarity to the diminishing catholic communities that feel like a “little flock”, because they are immersed in a society composed of a majority of believers from other religions, or due to serious difficulties being experienced by some of the nations in the area, and above all, due to strained relations marred by brutal incidents striking without pity innocent victims, the Pope says Catholic communities should not feel alone and abandoned, as they are being accompanied in their difficult journey by prayers and charitable support of churches worldwide.
Encouraging them to carry on with perseverance, the Pope’s general intention concludes saying “Their suffering can change the hearts of others and the heart of the world”.