Bidding Prayers for the Holy Family

Feast of the Holy Family  

Priest:

God humbled himself to be born of a human family and sanctified family life forever.

For the needs of our families and our world, we now pray.

Reader:

We pray that the many ministries of the Church may strengthen family life throughout

the world.                                                                        (pause) Lord in your mercy,

We pray for all Christians that they may preach the good news of Jesus Christ

through their chosen lifestyles, in their role as parent, spouse, single person, priest or religious, to give glory to God and witness to each other.    (pause) Lord in your mercy, 

We pray that the family may become ever more the sanctuary of life where all are welcomed as a gift rather than a burden.                          (pause) Lord in your mercy, 

We pray that those in our own families who are ill may enjoy the consolation of the

Lord and experience new strength in the presence of their loved ones. 

                                                                                   (pause) Lord in your mercy, 

We pray that families may spend more time together honouring, listening to and learning from their members who have the blessings and wisdom of many years of life. 

                                                                                  (pause) Lord in your mercy, 

We now turn to Mary, Mother of the Holy Family, to intercede for us as we pray together:  Hail Mary...

Let us now pray in silence for a few moments for our own intentions.

Priest:

Father,

You have made us your family.

As you answer our prayers,

strengthen us by the example of

the Holy Family of Nazareth.

We ask this through Christ our Lord.  Amen.

  

Bidding Prayers for Christmas Day

Bidding Prayers for Christmas Day

Priest:
In Christmas joy and hope, let us present all our needs to God with confidence.

Reader:

We pray for the Holy Church of God throughout the world that as she celebrates the birth of Christ, she may grow in holiness.
Lord in your mercy,

We pray for all those serving our country in the armed services at home and abroad. We pray also for peace in the world that nations may resolve their conflicts by giving themselves over to Christ, the Prince of Peace. 

Lord in your mercy, 

We pray for all those who are travelling at this time that they may arrive safely to join their families, loved ones and friends to celebrate the birth of our Saviour. 

Lord in your mercy,

We pray for those who suffer from loneliness and illness, especially the elderly and housebound in our own families and in our parish.  May we sustain them by our love and compassion not only on Christmas Day but every day.

Lord in your mercy, 

We pray for all those who have died, and for all whose anniversaries occur at this time: that by the power of Christ's birth on earth, they may be born in heaven. 

Lord in your mercy,

We turn now to Mary, Queen of Peace, to intercede for us as we say together:
Hail Mary...

We now pray in silence for a few moments to God our Father who is always ready to hear our prayers.

Priest:

Father, the birth of your Son renews our hope.
As you answer all our prayers,
give us grace always to bear witness to him
before the world.
For he is Lord forever and ever.  Amen.

Bidding Prayers for the Fourth Sunday of Advent

Advent 4

The Priest introduces the prayers:
My brothers and sisters in Christ, let us bring to the love of God our Father the cares and concerns of our hearts.


We bring to his love all those called to serve Christ in his Church;
that they may not flinch from responding to their calling, but rather abandon themselves to his guidance and protection.
Lord, hear us. Lord, graciously hear us.

We bring to his love all who hold positions of authority throughout our world; that they may be filled with integrity and a sense of responsibility towards those who depend on them; and that they may be strengthened to stand firm in what is right, even if it is unpopular.
Lord, hear us. Lord, graciously hear us.

We bring to his love the friends and neighbours we meet regularly,
that our daily care of one another may nurture strong growth of Christian love in our society.
Lord, hear us. Lord, graciously hear us.

We bring to his love the sick and those who care for them,
may they experience God's unending compassion.
Lord, hear us. Lord, graciously hear us.

We bring to his love those departed this life,
may the Lord embrace them with his love.
May they rest in peace, Amen.

Let us unite our prayers with those of our blessed Lady as we say Hail Mary...

We pray in silence for all our needs.

The Priest concludes the prayers:
Now Father, thankful for your love, we ask you to accept our prayers, through Christ Jesus your Son. Amen.

Bidding Prayers/ Intercessions for the Third Sunday of Advent

Third Sunday in Advent

Priest:

God’s word tells us to patiently await all the good things that the Saviour brings. With confidence, we make our needs known to Him.

Reader:

We pray that the Church may teach the world the patience it needs to await the coming of the Lord of justice, peace and life. 
Lord in your mercy

We pray that world leaders may prepare for the coming of the Lord by fostering harmony, authentic dialogue and sincere concern for their people. 
Lord in your mercy

We pray for our families and ourselves as we prepare for Christmas,
that we may grow in patience and faith, and that our material preparations may not blind us to God's love, but that he may be central to our celebrations and that we will rejoice at his coming.
Lord in your mercy...

We pray for those who are impaired by blindness, deafness or other infirmities that the promise of Christ’s coming may give them strength and joy
Lord in your mercy...

We offer these our prayers and the prayers of all God’s people, living and dead, to the intercession of Mary, Mother of the Church, as we say together: Hail Mary...

We now pray for a few moments in the silence of our hearts.

Priest:

Father, as you hear our prayers, 
give us patience 
and lead us to the joy of eternal salvation. 
We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen

Bidding Prayers / Intercessions for Advent 2

Priest:

As children of our caring, heavenly Father, let us pray.

Reader:

For all Christians throughout the world that they may simply and wholeheartedly follow Christ, so that their lives witness to the beauty and peace of his kingdom.

Lord, hear us. 

For all world leaders, governments and their advisers; that they may be inspired to lead their people wisely and fairly, with understanding and sensitivity.  

Lord, hear us. 

For our own families and loved ones, especially for any from whom we are separated; that we may learn to see Christ in each face, and serve him in caring for each other. 

Lord, hear us. 

For those who suffer in any way, that our own personal experience of suffering may be an occasion for better understanding of the situation,  unease and pain which is the lot of many people who are homeless, alone, sick or aged, and stir us all to give them generous help. Lord, hear us.

For those departed this life, especially Bill Curley and Kitty Hamilton, who died recently, and for all whose anniversaries fall at this time, may they rest in peace with Christ, and rise with him in glory.

Lord, hear us. 

We join our prayers with Our Lady as we say: Hail Mary ...

Now let us pray for a moment in silence

The Priest:

Father of all time and place, 

accept these prayers 

through your Son Jesus Christ. Amen.