New Catholic book urges couples to pray before sex

• The prayer is aimed at reminding couples that sexual intercourse is a selfless act, not driven by hedonism.

London, Friday

A prominent Catholic group in the UK is encouraging couples to pray together before they have sex.

The specially-composed Prayer Before Making Love appears in the Prayer Book for Spouses, published by the Catholic Truth Society, UK newspapers reported this week.

The prayer is aimed at reminding couples that sexual intercourse is a selfless act, not driven by hedonism.

Couples implore God “to place within us love that truly gives, tenderness that truly unites, self-offering that tells the truth and does not deceive, forgiveness that truly receives, loving physical union that welcomes."

The London-based Catholic Truth Society which published the book has close links to the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales.

Bishop Paul Hendricks of Southwark, who sits on the charity’s board, was quoted as saying he thought the prayer’s inclusion was “brave, but good”.

“I suppose it is a bit idealistic, but it is recognising that God is at the heart of the marriage relationship between husband and wife,” he said.

Dismissed ‘forepray’

The book contains prayers for every stage of marriage and family life written by a variety of authors.

It pushes the message that marriage should be exclusive and life-long and condemns abortion.

Some newspaper readers welcomed the news of prayer before sex, but others dismissed the idea of ‘forepray’, saying it would kill the spontaneity of love-making.