Some Prayers / Intercessions for Sunday after Christmas Year B – 27th 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.

Heavenly Father,

In this Christmastide and in the New Year 2021, we continue to celebrate your love for us in Jesus. We remember Mary and Joseph, the angels and the shepherds, the stars, the stable, the manger, the wise men … thank you Lord for the joy that Christmas brings and for the biggest gift of Jesus your son as our saviour and healer who brings joy and hope into our lives

(Pause…)        Let us pray to the Lord: Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

We pray for the Church…

Almighty God and Loving Father, in this Christmastide and in the New Year 2021, we pray for your Church, gathering worldwide in churches, chapels and cathedrals to celebrate the birth of Jesus in a stable at Bethlehem as saviour and healer of our human condition.

(Pause…)        Let us pray to the Lord: Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Heavenly Father in this Christmastide and in the New Year 2021, we pray for the world stuck 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.

Loving Father, although this year Christmastime things have been very different from normal, we thank you, that while we were not be able to be with our families and loved ones in person, we know that You are always with them. Where there is weariness, would you bring Your rest; where there is hopelessness, would you bring fresh encouragement; where there is despair, would you bring hope.  

(Pause…)        Let us pray to the Lord: Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Heavenly Father, in this Christmastide and in the New Year 2021, we pray for our brothers and sisters who are persecuted for their Christian faith…

in Iraq, in Afghanistan, Iran, Pakistan and in several countries in the world; bless them Father and may their faith be strengthened during this Christmastide and New year;

(Pause…)        Let us pray to the Lord: Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Loving God, in this Christmastide and in the New Year 2021, we pray for the homeless and the poor…

As winter has crept in and cold weather reigns, we pray for the homeless and the poor and we pledge ourselves to do all we can for them;

we pray for those who are unemployed, the distressed, the lonely, those living on their own or grieving tonight;

Let us in a moment of silence pray for them …

(Pause…)        Let us pray to the Lord: Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

We pray for those in special needs…

Let us pray for our dear ones and friends who are ill and in need of our spiritual, moral and emotional support; we now especially remember Diana, Mel, Valerie, Paul, Margaret Allen, Jean, Jo, Roy, Claire Scourse, Matt, Jennifer, Christina 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 finally let us now pray for ourselves…

Let us tell the Lord what is of deepest concern in our hearts …knowing that he loves, forgives us and hears our prayer …

(after a silent, longer pause …)

(after a silent, 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.

[Revd Dr ST Mattapally, Rector, Springline Parish, Diocese of Lincoln]