Third Sunday of Advent (Year C)
St Francis Xavier's Church, Lavender Bay
Author: Sr Lynne Green
General Intercessions
Keeping in mind the joy focussed on in today's first two readings, and aware that today - as well as long ago - such joy sometimes echoes through times of pain and personal challenge in our lives, may we accept Christ's call to help bring his love and peace into our world . . . (pause)
Lord, hear us,
All: Lord, hear our prayer
Next Friday is International Migrants' Day, and also the anniversary of the first time women were given the right to vote in our country, more than a century ago . . . (pause)
So, let us pray for the strength to welcome newcomers to Australia, and the courage to support women who are still at a disadvantage in our workplaces and local communities, and people working to offer them such care in those settings . . . (pause)
Lord, hear us
All: Lord, hear our prayer
Let us pause, and hold in prayer those representing us at the Climate Change Conference at Copenhagen, and others who are there, sharing the impact failure to take decisive action on Emissions Trading is likely to have in the near future in their countries, including Kiribati, Fiji and Tuvalu . . . (pause)
Lord, hear us
All: Lord, hear our prayer
As we draw closer to celebrating Christmas, and try to focus on basic human values - like the gentleness Paul names in his letter to friends at Philippi - let us pray that how we act will influence those with whom we relate in our day-to-day lives to help build hope, trust and peace in our communities . . . (pause)
Lord, hear us
All: Lord, hear our prayer
