Sample Intercessions for September 24, 2006

25th Sunday Ordinary Time, Year B
September 24, 2006

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

• Click here for the readings of the day.
• Controversy and violence have erupted in the wake of references made by Pope Benedict XVI regarding Islam. Read the entire text in question here. Read the Vatican’s official response here. Read the Pope’s statement of September 17, 2006, here.
• This weekend, the Diocese of San José prays for its lay ecclesial ministers.
• September 23, 2006, at sundown, is the beginning of Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year and time of introspection, looking back at the mistakes of the past year and praying for a sweeter, better new year.
• September 24, 2006, as sundown, is the beginning of Ramadan, the holy month in the Muslim calendar dedicated to increased fasting, prayer, and good works.
• Celebrating their patron’s feast day this week is the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul (September 27).

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 How To Write Intercessions to help you write your own.


Presider:
In humble faith, let us lift our prayers
for our sisters and brothers in need.

Reader:
For the Church: [pause]
For the Pope and all Church leaders;
for humility, steadfast faith, and sincerity of heart;
for continued commitment to peace, healing, and reconciliation.
We pray to the Lord.

For all Christians, Jews, and Muslims: [pause]
For those who have been hurt by people of faith
and those who have been reviled, tortured,
or condemned for their beliefs;
for merciful wisdom and the cultivation of peace.
We pray to the Lord.

For lay ecclesial ministers and all servants of the Church: [pause]
For married persons and religious brothers and sisters
who humbly dedicate their lives to the people of God;
for single people who minister night and day;
for constant and sincere support and encouragement;
for strengthened commitment among all the faithful to their baptismal vows.
We pray to the Lord.

For the weak and vulnerable in our midst: [pause]
For children, the ill, and the aged;
for those caught in the crossfire of war and conflict;
for those who stand patiently amid persecution;
for loving arms to embrace and protect them.
We pray to the Lord.

For those sick and near death: [pause]
for the terminally ill, the homebound, and hospitalized;
for their caregivers, healers, and comforters;
for the mercy of God to defend and deliver them from their suffering,
especially for those we now name….
We pray to the Lord.

For the dead: [pause]
for those killed by war, envy, selfishness, or hate;
for those who died peacefully in the embrace of loved ones;
for God to receive them into the eternal peace of heaven,
especially those we now name….
We pray to the Lord.

Presider:
God, our Father, our helper and sustainer,
set our eyes before you and purify our hearts by the wisdom of our Spirit,
that we may ask these prayers with sincere humility
and receive your mercy with complete joy,
for you alone uphold our lives.We ask this through Christ, our Lord. Amen.