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notre dame montreal

Church Prayers and Intercessions

Church Prayers and Intercessions for Advent 4

Mrs Helen Wright


As we share in Mary’s joy at the coming of our Saviour, let us be quiet and still in the presence of God.
Heavenly Father, we can only wonder at the way you work with us.   We want you to know that we are ready to be used by you.  We understand that we must work actively to answer our own prayers and to respond to the challenges of our world and our place within that world.  We can only imagine how Mary and Joseph felt, to be called by you to such an important job. Petrified, confused yet trusting. Let us be more like them, let us hear our angels when they speak.
Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.


We call to mind before you those people we would love to know you and we ask you to prepare their hearts to recognise you.   We ask you to reassure and encourage us all in this parish and all over our local area, giving us insights into the real needs of our community.  As we move around more at this festive time, help us to bring the real Christmas to all we meet, in our words and actions.
Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.


As we look at the world around us often we are filled with disillusion, hopelessness and despair.   We ask you to give us courage to continue working with you even during the difficult times.  We ask you to come into the daily relationships which we so often take for granted.   Help us to value one another and respond to one another with love. We pray for those affected by the flooding in our country and also those touched by the forces of nature worldwide, by the bush fires in Australia and all developing countries where the weather can mean life or death.
Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.


We call to mind those people all over the world who are struggling with poverty, illness, grief or despair.  We ask you to look after them, give them the sense of your caring presence to uphold and sustain them and show us the way to help support them. Pour strength upon those who care for them and will give up being with their families this Christmas as they answer the call to care, as Mary did, without question.
Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.


We remember those who have died and thank you for the good you have worked in their lives.  For us death is separation, yet for those who have died it is their joining of the heavenly kingdom.  Jesus Christ is the light of the world, a light which no darkness can quench and we light a candle to symbolise that light which eternally  shines and brings hope.       
This morning we remember…………and all those in our hearts ………………………..
Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Lord of hope, as we approach the festival of Christmas, we praise and thank you for the way you surprise us with joy, and show us the extraordinary and the wonderful in the ordinary things of life. We endeavour to be ever thankful, even when the inevitable disagreements and differences seem to be more significant than the real Christmas message: the sacrifice of Jesus for our eternal life.

Merciful Father, accept these prayers for the sake of your Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ.  Amen

Gathering our prayers and praises into one, let us pray the Lord’s Prayer.