Creator God...
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:
Lord, in your mercy
Hear our prayer
Lord, hear us.
Lord, graciously hear us.
Creator God, you chose representatives from outside Israel to witness the birth of your Son, so that all the world would be part of that momentous event. And their gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh, as representing different aspects of life, showed that all life is gathered into your care. But sometimes your Church excludes both people and parts of life. Creator God, may we soften the boundaries of your Church, so that nothing and no-one is excluded from your house, save by their own choice.
Creator God, you chose the scientists of the day, important people, to worship a tiny baby. You gave them the insight to apply their scientific knowledge, and the endurance to keep at it despite all temptations to give up. Creator God, as the Magi used their knowledge for the good of all humanity, so may the world's scientists today use their skills for the benefit of all creation. May nothing be too small or too insignificant for the application of their knowledge.
Creator God, the holy family welcomed all comers to their door, the rich and the poor, the young and the old, strangers and neighbours. All were invited to share in the joy surrounding the birth of the new baby. Help us to share our joys; to love so much that our love overflows from family to all comers, that all may say, 'See how those Christians love one another.'
Creator God, the wise men brought myrrh as a gift to you, perhaps because myrrh was sometimes used as a herb for healing. Wherever you are, healing takes place, people become whole. We ask you to lay your hands upon those of our friends who are ill, especially....
But perhaps, Creator God, the myrrh was used in burial and foreshadowed your death. Even the happy time of your birth was associated with death, with the appalling massacre of innocent children. Throughout your earthly life happiness and sadness, life and death, were intermingled, just as they are intermingled for us. We pray for those who suffered the trauma of bereavement during this Christmas season, especially ... and those for whom it brings hurtful memories....
Merciful Father,
Accept these prayers for the sake of your Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.
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:
Lord, in your mercy
Hear our prayer
Lord, hear us.
Lord, graciously hear us.
Creator God, you chose representatives from outside Israel to witness the birth of your Son, so that all the world would be part of that momentous event. And their gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh, as representing different aspects of life, showed that all life is gathered into your care. But sometimes your Church excludes both people and parts of life. Creator God, may we soften the boundaries of your Church, so that nothing and no-one is excluded from your house, save by their own choice.
Creator God, you chose the scientists of the day, important people, to worship a tiny baby. You gave them the insight to apply their scientific knowledge, and the endurance to keep at it despite all temptations to give up. Creator God, as the Magi used their knowledge for the good of all humanity, so may the world's scientists today use their skills for the benefit of all creation. May nothing be too small or too insignificant for the application of their knowledge.
Creator God, the holy family welcomed all comers to their door, the rich and the poor, the young and the old, strangers and neighbours. All were invited to share in the joy surrounding the birth of the new baby. Help us to share our joys; to love so much that our love overflows from family to all comers, that all may say, 'See how those Christians love one another.'
Creator God, the wise men brought myrrh as a gift to you, perhaps because myrrh was sometimes used as a herb for healing. Wherever you are, healing takes place, people become whole. We ask you to lay your hands upon those of our friends who are ill, especially....
But perhaps, Creator God, the myrrh was used in burial and foreshadowed your death. Even the happy time of your birth was associated with death, with the appalling massacre of innocent children. Throughout your earthly life happiness and sadness, life and death, were intermingled, just as they are intermingled for us. We pray for those who suffered the trauma of bereavement during this Christmas season, especially ... and those for whom it brings hurtful memories....
Merciful Father,
Accept these prayers for the sake of your Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.
