INTERCESSIONS
Intercession for the first Sunday of Advent
I would like to start and finish our prayers with a verse from a carol.:-
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Cradled in a manger meanly laid the Son of Man his head,
Sleeping his first earthly slumber where the oxon had been fed.
Happy were those shepherds listening to the holy angels word,
Happy they within that stable worshipping their infant Lord.
Lord God, prayer is a mystery, we do not understand how it works or how our feeble petitions reach heaven. However we do know that Jesus prayed, and taught his disciples to pray, and that he opened the way into your presence. Help us to follow his example and teaching, and learn to pray more naturally, more readily and more often, and always in his name.
Dear Lord in whom all things live, who commands us to seek you, and are
ever ready to be found: to know you is life, to serve you is freedom, to
praise you is our souls delight We bless you and adore you, we worship you
and magnify your name, We give thanks to you for your great glory, through
Jesus Christ our Lord.
Lord in your mercy- Hear our prayer.
When at last peace may be
near in Northern Ireland, but the troubles in Iraq, Sudan and many other
places continues unabated we pray at this time of goodwill for peace:-
Dear Lord, we pray that your
holy and life-giving Spirit may so move in the hearts of men and among the
nations of the world that the barriers of fear, suspicion and hatred which
separate us may crumble, and the body of mankind, being healed of its
divisions, may be united in the bonds of justice and peace, for the honour
of your name.
Lord in your mercy:- Hear our prayer.
A prayer for social justice in our own land:-
Holy Spirit of light and truth,
help us to understand the causes of our social tensions and unrest. Open
our eyes to economic wrongs and injustices; deepen our concern for the
old, the poor, and those with different abilities; and stir in us all a
burning sense of responsibility for one another, as servants of Jesus
Christ our Lord.
Lord in your mercy:- Hear our prayer.
At this time of year when we perhaps dwell more on material things, a prayer to encourage deeper thoughts:-
Deliver us 0 Lord, from
shallowness in our thinking and from following the superficial fashions of
the world..
Save us from the worship of science and of earthly power and glory; that
acknowledging our human reason as your precious gift, we may be freed from
all false notions and misplaced trust, and put you first in our thinking,
our God, and our salvation.
Lord in your mercy:- Hear our prayer.
A prayer for family life which at this time of the year is particularly
relevant:-
God our Father ,you have commanded us to love one another and to serve
each others needs
Help us in our homes and in our lives to be helpful and considerate,
forbearing and forgiving, so that. the harmony of our family life and
daily living may be strengthened and sustained. So may the blessing of
your peace rest upon us all, for Jesus Christ's sake.
Lord in your mercy:- Hear our prayer.
A prayer for the children of the world:-
Dear God, whose heart is as the
heart of a child, hear our prayer for the children of the world, that they
may grow in all that is honest, true and good. Bless the disadvantaged,
comfort the unloved, protect the neglected, give grace to the handicapped;
and to all who care for children and nurture them, give patience, love,
and faith, for Jesus' sake.
Lord in your mercy:- Hear our prayer.
We pray now for the sick and suffering:-
0 God the source of life and
health, we pray for those who are ill, especially those known to us, and
we bring them to mind Give doctors and nurses skill to make them well
again, and grant that during their illness they may learn more of your
love and care; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
We pray for the nurses and doctors, surgeons and all who work in
hospitals. We pray that your love ,care and healing power may flow through
their eyes, their lips and their hands bringing health, new life, comfort
and peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord
Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer
For those who have died
We remember before God those
who have died, and light a candle to symbolise the light of Christ which
eternally shines and brings hope. We remember (Names)
You turn our darkness into light, in your light we shall see light.
May the souls of all the faithful departed through the mercy of God ,rest
in peace and rise in glory.
And to those who never listened to the message of thy birth,
Who have Winter but no Christmas bringing them thy peace on earth,
Send to these the joyful tidings by all people, in each home.
Be their heard the Christmas anthem; Praise to God, the Christ has come.
And as Jesus taught his disciples so we say:- Our Father