Some Prayers/ Intercessions for the 2nd Sunday of Advent Year B – 6th December 2020
“Prayer is a plant, the seed of which is sown in the heart of every Christian.
If it is well cultivated and nourished it will produce fruit, but if it is neglected,
it will wither and die.”
Jesus is alive.
Love has won the victory over evil and death.
Let us pray:
Most loving God and Father, we come before you on this second Sunday of Advent. And as we begin to prepare for the coming of your son Jesus Christ, we trust you to hear the prayers we make to you today.
(Pause) Let us pray to the Lord: Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
We pray for the Church
Mighty and Loving God, we pray for your Church today, gathering worldwide in churches, chapels and cathedrals, to praise you and to hear your holy word. Give us a sense of expectation as we come and inspiration as we go.
(Pause…) Let us pray to the Lord: Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
We pray for the world struck by coronavirus
Jesus Christ, you travelled through towns and villages “curing every disease and illness.”
At your command, the sick were made well.
Come to our aid now, in the midst of the global spread of the coronavirus,
that we may experience your healing love.
Heal those who are sick with the virus. May they regain their strength and health through quality medical care.
Heal us from our fear, which prevents nations from working together and neighbours from helping one another.
(Pause …) Let us pray to the Lord: Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Heal us from our pride, which can make us claim invulnerability to a disease that knows no borders. Jesus Christ, healer of all, stay by our side in this time of uncertainty and sorrow.
Be with the families of those who are sick or have died. As they worry and grieve, defend them from illness and despair. May they know your peace.
Be with the doctors, nurses, researchers and all medical professionals who seek to heal and help those affected and who put themselves at risk in the process.
May they know your protection and peace.
(Pause …) Let us pray to the Lord: Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Be with the leaders of all nations.
Give them the foresight to act with charity and true concern for the well-being of the people they are meant to serve.
Give them the wisdom to invest in long-term solutions that will help prepare for or prevent future outbreaks.
May they know your peace, as they work together to achieve it on earth.
Whether we are home or abroad, surrounded by many people suffering from this illness or only a few, Jesus Christ, stay with us as we endure and mourn, persist and prepare. In place of our anxiety, give us your peace.
(Pause…) Let us pray to the Lord: Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
We pray for our community.
Merciful God, we pray for those in our Parish community for whom this day will be long and painful, for those in hospital or ill at home, those struggling with despair or depression and for all who care for them.
We especially remember Diana, Mel, Paul, Margaret Allen, Gene, Jo, Roy, Claire Scourse, Matt and others we know of.
Comfort and heal them, give them courage and hope in their troubles and bring them the joy of your saving love.
(Pause) Let us pray to the Lord: Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
And we pray for ourselves…
(after a silent, slightly longer pause …)
Father,
we feel loved,
we feel forgiven,
we feel saved.
Thank you for Jesus Christ your Son
who died for us on the cross
and rose again from the dead
and who offers us
true peace and true hope.
Help us to hold on to him
and to follow him
the way, the truth and the life
as we entrust you our prayers
in the name of your Son Jesus Christ.
Amen.
Courtesy: Costa Blanca Chaplaincy Spain and
The Jesuits, USA, contributed by Bishop David, Diocese of Europe