Sample Intercessions for Epiphany - January 8, 2006

The Epiphany of the Lord
January 8, 2006

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

• Click here for the readings of the day.
• The Christmas season continues today and does not end until after the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord on Monday, January 9.
• Wildfires have ravaged and completely destroyed areas of Oklahoma and Texas.
• Powerful storms have deluged Northern California.
• The Christmas season calls for more solemnity. Consider having your deacon, cantor, or reader chant the intercessions and using a sung response. You could also use incense during the general intercessions since it is a common sign for prayers rising to heaven.

The following are just samples meant to inspire your work. Use them as ideas for your own assembly's intercessions. Read 10 Principles for Writing Intercessions and Step by Step Guide to help you write your own.


Presider:
Jesus Christ has come in power and glory;
Wisdom has come to teach and guide us;
Emmanuel has come, the hope of all the peoples;
let us lift our voices in prayer with the saints
and cry out with the angels: Glory to God!


Reader:
For the Church to whom a promise has been given;
For members of the Body of Christ
to whom a mystery has been made known: [pause]
May we be a light for all the nations
revealing God’s presence in the world.
We pray to the Lord.

For the world upon whom light has come;
For all the ends of the earth that have seen the saving power of God: [pause]
May places overshadowed by war and devastation—
especially Iraq, Afghanistan, and Pakistan,
the Gulf Coast, Oklahoma, Texas, and Northern California—
be raised up in splendor and shine, radiant with peace.
We pray to the Lord.

For those in the military far from home;
For our sons and daughters, mothers and fathers
scattered throughout the nations: [pause]
May they continue to walk by the light of Christ
and find the star that will lead them safely home.
We pray to the Lord.

For this new year filled with expectation;
For all who hope in God’s promise: [pause]
May this year be filled with God’s grace and light,
especially for those covered by the clouds
of homelessness, depression, disease, loneliness, and unemployment.
We pray to the Lord.

For the catechumens and all who seek Christ;
For those darkened by doubt who have given up their search: [pause]
May they find in us the joy of the Gospel
to make their hearts throb and overflow with the praises of God.
We pray to the Lord.

For those who have died this year
whom we will miss most during this Christmas season,
especially those we now name: [pause]
May the glory of the Lord shine upon them
and gather us all into the arms of God.
We pray to the Lord.


Presider:
God our Father, Source of Everlasting Light,
shine your mercy upon us and hear our prayers.
Do not let us grow weary in our journey to find the Christ-child
or allow the shadow of death to lead us astray,
but part the dark clouds that cover us
that we may see the splendor of your Son
and walk by his undying Light.
We ask this through Jesus Christ, the Morningstar,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
Emmanuel, God with us, for ever and ever. Amen.

FILED UNDER: INTERCESSIONS