The Epiphany of the Lord (A) : The Universal Prayer / Bidding Prayers / Intercessions / Prayer of the Faithful

The Epiphany of the Lord (A)

Priest:

Dearly beloved, the glory of God is all about us. 

With thankful and adoring hearts, let us pray.

Reader:

We pray for the Church of God,

that she may reveal more fully God's abiding love for everyone, 

by drawing closer to the person of Christ.

Lord, hear us. 

We pray for the peace and well-being of the world,

that all leaders of East and West may follow the star which leads to true peace and justice. 

Lord, hear us. 

We pray for the sick and those who care for them,

that Christ's light may shine upon them.

Lord, hear us. 

We pray for those departed this life,

that they may come to see the light of God's glory.

Lord, hear us.  

We pray with our Lady as we say: Hail Mary … .

In the presence of Christ, we make our personal petitions in silence to God our Father.

Priest:

Father, when the Kings came to your Son, your love was revealed for all mankind. May we, in our day, reveal your love for everyone. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God (A) : The Universal Prayer / Bidding Prayers / Intercessions / Prayer of the Faithful

Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God (A)

Priest:

My brothers and sisters, just as Christ embodies the wisdom of the Father, so Mary mirrors her Son. As we begin this new year, let us pray that we may her worthy children.

Reader:

We pray for the Church,

may we realise that in honouring Mary, we glorify God who has chosen to enter the human family through the channel of her flesh and the pure obedience of her soul. Lord, hear us. 

We pray for those in authority,

may they, like Mary, be so open to the Spirit and humble in their service of others that they do not consider themselves superior, but acknowledge God as the Father of all.

Lord, hear us. 

Let us ask God to bless the sick and those who care for them,

may they call on Mary, who bore her burdens beneath the Cross in a spirit of total surrender to God’s will. Lord, hear us. 

Let us pray for those departed this life,

may Mary welcome them into the kingdom of her Son.

Lord, hear us.  

Let us unite our prayers with the Mother of the Lord. Hail Mary … .

As members of Christ's family, let us now make our own prayers to him in the quietness of our hearts.

Priest:

God our Father, we thank you for bringing us through the changes of time to the beginning of another year. Forgive us the wrong we have done in the year that is past, and, strengthened by the prayers of Our Lady, help us to spend the rest of our days to your honour and glory. We make this prayer through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Feast of the Holy Family (A) : The Universal Prayer / Bidding Prayers / Intercessions / Prayer of the Faithful

Feast of the Holy Family (A)

Priest: 

On this feast of the Holy Family we bring our requests to God, our loving father.

Reader: 

For the church.  May its common life and teaching always reflect and put into effect the example of the Holy Family.

Lord hear us

For parents; that in a spirit of generosity and love, they may be strengthened in their vocation, Lord hear us.

For refugees in all parts of the world, who, like the Holy Family, cannot return home for fear for their lives or for their safety. May they be received with kindness in foreign lands and supported in their endeavours to build a new life 

Lord hear us.

For those who have died and whose anniversaries occur at this time, 

May they be blessed with God’s favour. 

Lord hear us.

Let us ask Mary, loving wife and mother to pray for us,  as we say. Hail Mary.

In silence we thank God for our blessings and ask him to hear our personal prayers.

Priest: 

Merciful Father, we beg you, hear and answer all our prayers 

which we bring to you in faith and love 

through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

Christmas Day : The Universal Prayer / Bidding Prayers / Intercessions / Prayer of the Faithful

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, hear us.

We pray for peace in the world 

that nations may resolve their conflicts 

inspired and guided by Christ, the Prince of Peace.

Lord, hear us.

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, hear us.

We pray for all those who have died, 

that by the power of Christ's birth on earth, they may be born in heaven. 

Lord, hear us.

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

Hail Mary ….

Let us now pray in silence  to God our Father, who is always ready to hear our prayers.

Priest:

Father, the birth of your Son renews our hope.

As we make our prayers, today,

give us grace always to bear witness to him before the world.

For he is Lord, for ever and ever. Amen.

Fourth Sunday of Advent (A) : The Universal Prayer / Bidding Prayers / Intercessions / Prayer of the Faithfulo

Fourth Sunday of Advent  (A)

“She will give birth to a son and you must name him Jesus, because he is the one who is to save his people from their sins.’ (Mt 1:21)

Priest:

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

Reader:

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. 

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 

and stand firm for what is right and just.

Lord, hear us. 

We bring to his love the friends and neighbours we meet each day,

that our care of one another may nurture the growth of Christian love amongst us.

Lord, 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. 

We bring to his love those departed this life,

may the Lord embrace them with his love and welcome them into his kingdom.

Lord, hear us. 

Let us unite our prayers with those of our blessed Lady, saying: Hail Mary ….

We pray in silence for all our needs.

Priest:

Now Father, as we eagerly await your dwelling amongst us, 

thankful for your unbounded love, we ask you to accept our prayers, 

through Christ Jesus your Son. Amen.

Third Sunday of Advent (A)

Third Sunday of Advent  (A)

Be patient, brothers, until the Lord’s coming. (James 5:7)

Priest:

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

Reader:

We pray for the Church 

that she may teach the world the patience it needs to await the coming of the Lord of justice, peace and life.
Lord, hear us. 

We pray for world leaders 

that they may prepare for the coming of the Lord by fostering harmony, dialogue and sincere concern for their people.
Lord, hear us. 

We pray for our families 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, so that we will rejoice at his coming.
Lord, hear us. 

We pray for the souls of those who we love but see no longer, that we all may be reunited in the Kingdom of Heaven. 

Lord, hear us. 

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