INTERCESSIONS FOR THE FEAST OF THE EPIPHANY YEAR (C )

Priest:

The Good News of Jesus’ birth is for all the people of the earth,
Jews and Gentiles alike,
from powerful kings to the poor and needy.
We, therefore, bring to the Lord of all the Universe our needs
and the needs of all the world.

Reader:

1. We pray for the church and its ministry to the world,
   for all Bishops and clergy,
   for missionaries and for all who bring the light of the Gospel
   to those still in darkness.
   (Pause) Lord in your mercy – Hear our prayer.

2. We pray for the nations of the world and their leaders,
   may they strive for justice and peace
   and have pity on the weak and the poor.
   (Pause) Lord in your mercy – Hear our prayer.

3. Let us pray that we who follow the infant King of the Jews
   may share his life of service
   and bear witness to gospel values with our lives,
   so that more people may come into the light of Christ’s love.
   (Pause) Lord in your mercy – Hear our prayer.

4. We pray for our Jewish brothers and sisters
   and all who glory in the Star of David.
   May we who share God’s blessing with them
   always respect those who were the first to hear God’s good news.
   (Pause) Lord in your mercy – Hear our prayer.

5. Let us pray for those who are sick in body, mind or spirit
   for the hungry and the homeless,
   for the dying and the bereaved,
   that they may be helped by caring friends
   and experience Christ’s blessing.
   (Pause) Lord in your mercy – Hear our prayer.

6. We pray for those who have gone before us in faith and are now at rest,
   that they may be at peace in the light of God’s glory.
   (Pause) Lord in your mercy – Hear our prayer.

Now we ask for the intercession of Our Blessed Lady as we say –Hail Mary.

Let us pray for a while in silence, remembering our personal needs
and the needs of our families.

Priest:

Loving God, we offer you our prayers;
grant that what we need we may obtain through Christ, Our Lord. Amen.