Sample Intercessions for December 17, 2006

Third Sunday of Advent, Year C
December 17, 2006

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

• Click here for the readings of the day.
• 60 Iraqis were killed and 220 were hurt in one car bomb in Baghdad Tuesday morning.
• 43 US troops have been killed in Iraq so far in December. The total number of US military casualites since the beginning of the war in 2003 is 2,933.
• A Philadelphia high-school student commits suicide at school. Suicide is the fifth leading cause of death among those 5-14 years old. Suicide is the third leading cause of death among those 15-24 years old. Over 30,000 people in the United States die by suicide every year.
• The Third Sunday of Advent is traditionally known as "Gaudete" Sunday, from the Latin word for "rejoice." The Sunday's opening antiphon and the second reading inspire this title.
• December 21 is the winter solstice, the longest night of the year in the northern hemisphere.
• Hanukkah continues through the week while Las Posadas and Simbang Gabi continue through December 24.

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:
Shout for joy, for God is in our midst!
Therefore, let us make our requests known to God.

Reader:
For the Church
whose strength and courage is the Lord: [pause]
May God renew us in his love
and sing joyfully because of our care for one another.
Come, Lord Jesus…hear our prayer.

For all nations
among whom the Lord dwells: [pause]
May they soon cry out with joy and gladness
that war is ended and peace begun.
Come, Lord Jesus…hear our prayer.

For those who cannot rejoice,
who have lost their home, their job, their hope in life: [pause]
May the peace of God which is beyond reason
guard their hearts and minds in Christ.
Come, Lord Jesus…hear our prayer.

For those most in need this season,
without the basics of food, clothing, or dignity: [pause]
May we share with the person who has none
during this season and all throughout the year.
Come, Lord Jesus…hear our prayer.

For the sick and the dying and those who care for them,
including those we now name…: [pause]
May the good news of John the Baptist
lead them through their dark night
to the healing light of Christ.
Come, Lord Jesus…hear our prayer.

For the dead,
loved ones whom we miss this season,
forgotten ones who died alone,
innocent ones caught in the crossfire of violence,
including those we now name…: [pause]
May they be gathered into the eternal dwelling of God,
rejoicing in the Lord always.
Come, Lord Jesus…hear our prayer.

Presider:
You are near, Lord, closer to us even than our own breath.
And yet we wait in expectant hope for your coming.
Free our world from all fear and anxiety,
and hear the prayers and petitions of your people,
for you have baptized us with the fire of your Holy Spirit
and given us a joy that can change the world.
We ask this in your holy name, Jesus, Emmanuel,
God with us, for ever and ever. Amen.