Prayers of Intercession
Feast of the Epiphany (Year B) 
St Francis Xavier's Church, Lavender Bay
Author: Sr Lynne Green
General Intercessions
Today’s first reading spoke of light flooding into dark spaces, of joy, of people gathering from different places, confident of being safe and cared for
. . . (pause)
but, at the same time, many in our world are unsure if they will ever be safe – because of war, economic hardship or social upheaval – so let us pray for people of faith who stand beside those caught up in such struggle
. . . (pause)
Lord, hear us,
All: Lord, hear our prayer
We pray for the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip, whose already-difficult lives are again being torn apart in the worsening conflict between Hamas and the Israelis. May they soon know lasting peace and a secure future . . . (pause)
Lord, hear us,
All: Lord, hear our prayer
Let us pray for those who support people who are unemployed, or suffer from physical or mental disability, that what they offer will help them discover a true sense of their own worth . . . (pause)
Lord, hear us,
All: Lord, hear our prayer
As we begin a new year, and celebrate God’s love for all people being made known to us in the person of Jesus, let us pray we ourselves can make that love more palpable by acting to protect the environment . . . (pause)
Lord, hear us,
All: Lord, hear our prayer
