Sample Intercessions for January 7, 2007 - Epiphany

Solemnity of the Epiphany of Our Lord, Year ABC
January 7, 2007

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

• Click here for the day's readings.
• Over 3000 US soldiers have died in Iraq.
• January 7 to 13, 2007 is National Migration Week.
• January 7, 2007, is the Solemnity of the Epiphany, or "Little Christmas." It is a traditional time to bless homes.
• Ordinary Time begins after the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord on January 8, 2007.
• An airplane carrying 102 people crashed in Indonesia on January 1, 2007. Only 12 survivors so far have been found.
• Saddam Hussein was executed by hanging on December 29, 2006, just before Eid al-Adha, the most important feast of the Muslim calendar, was to begin. The feast commemorates Abraham's obedience to God as he was willing to sacrifice his own son.
• Thosands of homes are still without electricity in Colorado, Nebraska, and Oklahoma after winter blizzards. Helicopters are trying to airlift food to snowbound persons and cattle.
• The Christmas season calls for more solemnity. Consider using a sung response and having your deacon, cantor, or reader chant the intercessions.

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:
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 in the highest!

Reader:
For the Church to whom a promise has been given;
for the members of the Body of Christ
to whom a mystery has been made known: [pause]
May we be a light for all the nations
and co-partners in the the gospel's promise of peace.
We pray to the Lord.

For the world upon whom light has shone;
for all the ends of the earth
that have seen the saving power of God: [pause]
May places overshadowed by war, tragedy, and violence—
especially Iraq, Afghanistan, and Sudan,
Indonesia, Colorado, and most especially our homes—
be raised up in splendor and radiant with peace.
We pray to the Lord.

For all those far from home;
for our sons and daughters, mothers and fathers in the military;
for migrants and refugees searching for a dwelling place: [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;
for those who must go a different path than they planned: [pause]
May this year be filled with God’s favor and light,
especially for those shadowed by the clouds
of homelessness, depression, illness, 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 loved ones ill or close to death,
for those in need of our forgiveness,
for those who have asked us to pray for them,
including those we now name…: [pause]
May they be clothed with God's healing power.
We pray to the Lord.

For our deceased loved ones whom we miss this season,
for those who died alone,
for innocent victims of violence,
including 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.