Prayers of Intercession
Third Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year B) 
St Francis Xavier's Church, Lavender Bay
Author: Sr Lynne Green
General Intercessions
In today’s Gospel reading we see Jesus encouraging people to repent, and to believe in the Good News of God’s love, as well as gathering helpers for this work . . . . (pause)
So, this Australia Day, let us search our minds and hearts to focus on ways to do the same two things in our day-to-day lives, and enlist the help of friends when this becomes difficult or challenging . . . (pause)
Lord, hear us,
All: Lord, hear our prayer
As we remember the impact the coming of Europeans has had on our indigenous sisters and brothers – the first people to live in and care for this land – we pray we can keep working to improve relationships amongst all who now call our country home . . . (pause)
Lord, hear us,
All: Lord, hear our prayer
We pray for community leaders in countries like Zimbabwe – where cholera is now devastating the lives of people already gripped by extreme social and economic crises – and in the war-torn Gaza Strip. May they find ways to lasting peace . . . (pause)
Lord, hear us,
All: Lord, hear our prayer
