The World Is Preparing Once Again
Intercession
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:
The Church of Christ
Creation, human society, the Sovereign and those in authority
The local community
Those who suffer
The communion of saints
These responses may be used:
These responses may be used:
Lord, in your mercy
Hear our prayer
Lord, hear us.
Lord, graciously hear us.
The world is preparing once again, Advent God, for your coming at Christmas as a tiny baby. The towns sparkle with coloured lights, the shops glisten with snow and stars and reindeer, and cajole us to spend probably more than we can afford. Everything is bustle and brightness and good cheer. That is, everything except your Church, for during this period of Advent preparation your Church is sombre and dark and devoid of flowers. We seem so at odds with the world, Advent God. Teach us how to welcome others despite our restrictions. May our Churches though dark and bare, be also havens of peace, oases of quiet, where people may pause a while during the frantic pre-Christmas rush and feel the lightness of your touch upon them.
There are places in our world, Advent God, where the preparation for Christmas is simply increased violence, where the only lights come from explosions, and where people must think about life and death rather than about which presents to buy. For some, Christmas will be cancelled this year, as it will be in your own birth-place of Bethlehem. We hold in your presence all those who suffer from human violence, and all those who are called upon for solutions to the problem of violence.
And there are human beings, Advent God, who can't afford to prepare for Christmas. We remember those from our own parish for whom worry hangs like a pall, because of serious illness of a family member, or the fear of redundancy, or the break-down of relationships, or loneliness, or simply poverty. May they be especially aware of your love enveloping them as they watch the Christmas preparations of others, knowing that they have no preparations of their own.
As we move through the darkness of Advent towards the brilliant light of Christmas, we pause for a while to hold in our thoughts those for whom there appears to be no welcoming light at the end of a long, dark tunnel. We think especially of those in pain, and those who watch over them and worry about them. As they cope with their suffering may they begin to be aware that you are light in a dark world, and that you are there for them.
Some of our friends and neighbours, Advent God, mistake the darkness of Advent for deep gloom, for they've recently been bereaved. May they discover that sometimes, darkness can be a welcoming and peaceful prelude to the glorious light that is to follow. May they be very aware that those they love but who have now left them, are part of the magnificent Communion of Saints who are with you and who are bathed in your radiance for ever.
Merciful Father,
The Church of Christ
Creation, human society, the Sovereign and those in authority
The local community
Those who suffer
The communion of saints
These responses may be used:
These responses may be used:
Lord, in your mercy
Hear our prayer
Lord, hear us.
Lord, graciously hear us.
The world is preparing once again, Advent God, for your coming at Christmas as a tiny baby. The towns sparkle with coloured lights, the shops glisten with snow and stars and reindeer, and cajole us to spend probably more than we can afford. Everything is bustle and brightness and good cheer. That is, everything except your Church, for during this period of Advent preparation your Church is sombre and dark and devoid of flowers. We seem so at odds with the world, Advent God. Teach us how to welcome others despite our restrictions. May our Churches though dark and bare, be also havens of peace, oases of quiet, where people may pause a while during the frantic pre-Christmas rush and feel the lightness of your touch upon them.
There are places in our world, Advent God, where the preparation for Christmas is simply increased violence, where the only lights come from explosions, and where people must think about life and death rather than about which presents to buy. For some, Christmas will be cancelled this year, as it will be in your own birth-place of Bethlehem. We hold in your presence all those who suffer from human violence, and all those who are called upon for solutions to the problem of violence.
And there are human beings, Advent God, who can't afford to prepare for Christmas. We remember those from our own parish for whom worry hangs like a pall, because of serious illness of a family member, or the fear of redundancy, or the break-down of relationships, or loneliness, or simply poverty. May they be especially aware of your love enveloping them as they watch the Christmas preparations of others, knowing that they have no preparations of their own.
As we move through the darkness of Advent towards the brilliant light of Christmas, we pause for a while to hold in our thoughts those for whom there appears to be no welcoming light at the end of a long, dark tunnel. We think especially of those in pain, and those who watch over them and worry about them. As they cope with their suffering may they begin to be aware that you are light in a dark world, and that you are there for them.
Some of our friends and neighbours, Advent God, mistake the darkness of Advent for deep gloom, for they've recently been bereaved. May they discover that sometimes, darkness can be a welcoming and peaceful prelude to the glorious light that is to follow. May they be very aware that those they love but who have now left them, are part of the magnificent Communion of Saints who are with you and who are bathed in your radiance for ever.
Merciful Father,
