Devotion for today: Thou art Peter

I found this prayer on the back of a holy card in a Catholic Church yesterday and found it to be perfect for today.

Thou art Peter; and upon this rock I will build my Church,

and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. Matthew 16:18

Heavenly Father: holding to Christ’s promise that His Church is built on the invincible Rock of Truth, we, Your children, beseech You:

Give us a Shepherd after your own heart – endowed with supernatural wisdom and courage, with unshakeable faith and deep humility, capable of sacrificial service. May he be zealous to defend Holy Mother Church, her sacred teaching, the integrity of her sacraments and her persecuted members throughout the world.

We invoke the Holy Spirit up the coming conclave – to reveal with clarity and convincing force the man You have chosen to succeed Peter in these trying times.

And may the powerful intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Help of Christians and Mother of the Church, inspire and uphold all the Cardinal Electors, thwart any interference of the evil one and protect the next Bishop of Rome from every effort to harm or disarm him. Amen.

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee, blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.

Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for us sinners, now, and at the hour of our death, Amen.