# National Day of Prayer: Mary, Help of Christians
*2016-05-06*

> Bill Young celebrates the National Day of Prayer with a beautiful prayer to Mary, Help of Christians, written by St. John Bosco, and invites listeners to join in prayer.

## Welcome

Good afternoon. I’m Bill Young, and welcome to the Prayer & Lunch podcast. Today is the National Day of Prayer, and I hope you’ll pray along with me.

## Prayer to Mary, Help of Christians

Our prayer today is to Mary, Help of Christians, composed by St. John Bosco. Let us pray:

"O Mary, powerful Virgin, you are the great and most illustrious protection of the Church. You, who are the wonderful Help of Christians, are a formidable army sent into battle. You alone have destroyed every heresy in the world. In our distress, in our struggles, in our difficulties, defend us from the enemy, and at the hour of death welcome our souls into Paradise. Amen."

## Closing Thoughts

May this prayer remind us of Mary’s constant intercession and strengthen our confidence that, through her help, we are protected against every spiritual danger. Have a blessed National Day of Prayer.

*Through Mary, Help of Christians, we find a powerful shield against all trials.*