Since the nineteenth century, popes have asked the Apostleship of Prayer to pray for specific intentions. The Apostleship of Prayer receives two prayer intentions each month from the Holy Father, pledging to pray for them every day. Pope Francis has given dialogue and pastors as the two intentions for the month of November.

The Universal intention for the month of November is dialogue. “That we may be open to personal encounter and dialogue with all, even those whose convictions differ from our own.” In their reflection on this intention the Apostleship of Prayer spoke of a meeting where the Holy Father emphasized the importance of dialogue among individuals saying, “It is the only way for individuals, families, and societies to grow along with the culture of encounter, a culture in which all have something good to give and all can receive something good in return.”

 The evangelization intention  for this month is for pastors. “That pastors of the Church, with profound love for their flocks, may accompany them and enliven their hope.” In their reflection the Apostleship of Prayer speaks about Jesus as the Good Shepherd. They said, “Pope Francis asks us to pray that the Church’s shepherds may follow the example of the Good Shepherd. They should not place themselves above people but should be close to them.”

The Apostleship of Prayer also sets forth a prayer for each month. The prayer for this month is an excerpt from Pope Francis’ Prayer for Peace:

Lord, God of Abraham, God of the Prophets, God of Love, you created us and you call us to live as brothers and sisters. Give us the strength daily to be instruments of peace; enable us to see everyone who crosses our path as our brother or sister. Keep alive within us the flame of hope, so that with patience and perseverance we may opt for dialogue and reconciliation. In this way may peace triumph at last, and may the words “division”, “hatred” and “war” be banished from the heart of every man and woman.