Sample Intercessions for September 19, 2004

25th Sunday Ordinary Time, Year C
September 19, 2004

Things, events, and news items to keep in mind:

• Click here for this Sunday's readings.
• September 19, 2004 is National Catechetical Sunday.
• September 22, 2004 is the first day of autumn.
• September 25, 2004 begins Yom Kippur (at sunset).
• Suicide attacks and violence in Afghanistan and Iraq intensify.
• The number of US military deaths in Iraq reach 1000.
• Florida and the islands in the Caribbean battered by more hurricanes.
• Civil unrest continues in Sudan and Chechnya.
• Assault weapons ban expires.

The following are just samples meant to inspire your work. Use them as ideas for your own assembly's intercessions.

Presider
Trusting all things to God, let us lift up the needs of the world.

Deacon/cantor/reader
For the Church (pause):
for fidelity to the mission of Christ;
for devotion to the Gospel of love;
for clarity in thought when complacency or fear cloud our vision.
We pray to the Lord.

For earthly rulers and all in authority (pause):
for peace and tranquility in every land;
for human dignity in every situation;
for holy hands lifted in prayer and not raised in anger.
We pray to the Lord.

For those who depend on the land for their daily bread (pause):
for a bountiful harvest this autumn season;
for just wages and honest business practices;
for responsible stewardship over the earth and its resources.
We pray to the Lord.

For the needy and the poor of the land (pause):
for those made homeless by hurricanes in Florida and the Caribbean;
for those living in fear in Sudan, Russia, Afghanistan, and Iraq;
for those unemployed and underemployed in the Silicon Valley.
We pray to the Lord.

For our parish community (pause):
for parents, catechists, and teachers;
for all our children, near and far;
for perseverance in seeking the truth.
We pray to the Lord.

Presider
We praise you, Lord, for you lift up the poor and raise the lowly from the dust.
Hear our cries and do not forget your promise.
In your mercy, make us trustworthy stewards and faithful servants
that we may banish greed from our land and reap a harvest of justice for all people.
We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.