Sample Intercessions for November 19, 2006

33rd Sunday Ordinary Time, Year B
November 19, 2006

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

• Click here for the readings of the day.
• Almost 1600 people from the Bay Area gathered at the Santa Clara Convention Center for the annual Faith Formation Conference. Bishop McGrath shares an unforgettable story of profound faith in his closing Mass homily.
• The United States Bishops met in Baltimore this last week for their bi-annual meeting to discuss major issues of the Church, such as ministry to homosexuals, catechesis, liturgy, and justice.
• Pope Benedict XVI meets to discuss the issue of celibacy for priests.
• More marines are being deployed to Iraq as violence continues.
• Air strikes between Israel and Palestine escalate.
• November 23 is Thanksgiving Day. Many will travel this week as families gather for the holidays.
• The Church prepares for Advent in two weeks.
• Celebrating their patron’s feast day this week are Presentation Center and Presentation High School (November 21), the Blessed Miguel Agustin Pro House (November 23), and Saint Catherine of Alexandria Parish (November 25).

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:
The Lord has gathered us from the four winds
and the ends of the earth.
Let us now offer our prayer.

Reader:
For the Church: [pause]
for bishops, priests, and deacons, religious and lay persons,
for faithfulness in times of tribulation
and bright wisdom in times of darkness.
We pray to the Lord.

For all the nations of the earth: [pause]
for compassionate use of power and an end to war,
for peace in every land
and firm commitment to lead the world to justice.
We pray to the Lord.

For those in distress: [pause]
for those without shelter from the cold,
for those without food this holiday season,
for those without family or friends,
for the eternal word of God to give them hope.
We pray to the Lord.

For our families: [pause]
for safe travels during the holidays,
for kind words and loving embraces,
for gentle memories of deceased loved ones,
for forgiveness and reconciliation with those separated from us.
We pray to the Lord.

For the sick: [pause]
for the bedridden and their caregivers,
for perseverance in faith,
for escape from suffering,
for recovery and healing,
especially for those we now name….
We pray to the Lord.

For those who sleep in the dust of the earth: [pause]
for those killed in service to others,
for loved ones who died this year whom we will miss this holiday,
for everlasting life and resurrection
on the day when Christ returns in glory,
especially those we now name….
We pray to the Lord.

Presider:
Lord, our God,
you have written our names in the book of life.
We offer these prayers in the name of the one who saves us,
Jesus Christ who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God forever and ever. Amen.