Intercessions for Fourth Sunday in Advent Year C – 22nd December 2024
Everlasting God, we share today with Mary and Elizabeth their love and joy as the waiting for Jesus’s birth nears its end. Quieten our hearts and lives so that we can hear your voice amongst the hustle and bustle of everyday life as Christmas approaches.
Lord, in your mercy: hear our prayer
Holy God, we give you thanks for our Carol Service, Christmas Tree Festival, Crib Service and Social events that have been held during Advent and we pray that all who have attended will have had a glimpse of the life of the Gospel. We pray for all of our clergy leading Christmas worship and for our Bishops, Archdeacons giving thanks for the work they do for us in the Diocese.
Lord, in your mercy: hear our prayer
Creator God, we pray for our world leaders; for the Royal Family; for Heads of State in Europe, The Commonwealth and for the United Nations. We remember before you all those from aid organisations who will spend the Christmas period away from home bringing aid to those in conflict in Syria, the Middle East and Ukraine, praying earnestly for an end to war and terrorism.
Lord, in your mercy: hear our prayer
Father God, give you thanks for our community leaders and for the way that they make our towns and villages so beautiful and bright with colourful lights and decorations at this time of celebration. Thank you too for the shopkeepers, for their seasonal produce and nativity displays; for hotels, restaurants and bars that provide seasonal and special menus for our delight and for all the staff who serve and cater for us. Help us also to hold in our hearts the less fortunate as we give thanks for the work of Caritas, The Red Cross, The Franciscan Hospice and other charitable and animal rescue groups.
Lord, in your mercy: hear our prayer
Gracious God, we call to mind all those who we know who are struggling with life. We especially ask for your comfort and healing for all those who are coping with terminal illness and ask you to be close to those who care for them. We give you thanks for those who have been healed or are in the process of recovery and recuperation. We pray especially for Margaret Cock and Olivia Harvey.
Lord, in your mercy: hear our prayer
Merciful God, we remember those who have departed this life and thank you for the good that you have worked in their lives. Comfort all whose lives are saddened by the death of a loved one, be with them in their loneliness and help them to know that Jesus born in Bethlehem is the light of the world which no darkness can quench.
Lord, in your mercy: hear our prayer
Son of God, your mysterious coming is beyond our understanding. Yet like your holy mother, Mary and her cousin Elizabeth, we pray that you come to us, as you promised. Help us to serve you in any way that we can knowing that you are with us day by day, through the joys of Christmas and into the uncertainty of the New Year whatever it might bring.
Lord, in your mercy: hear our prayer
Merciful father: accept these prayers for the sake of your Son, our Saviour, Jesus Christ. Amen
