Heavenly Father, 

the miracle of "Christopher" 's life continues,

and he is now 10,000 times bigger

than he was at conception. 

Lord, how you trust us! 

This tiny human being, whom you created,

you have given into the care of his mother.

He is totally dependent, receiving from her

all of his nourishment, all the oxygen he needs.

Yet he is not a parasite: 

in the amazing organ we call

the placenta, vessels from mother and child

intertwine without joining.

"Christopher", even in his complete dependence,

is a unique and distinct life.

We ask, Lord, that as this mother

becomes aware of the new life within her,

you make her aware of this truth, 

and make her realize that,

whatever rights she may have over her own body,

these do not include her child.

Let her know that the tiny heart 

that will begin to beat within her womb this month

is someone else's heart,

someone whose right to a full life

is as great as her own.