Priest: My friends, we are nearly ready to celebrate the birth of our redeemer, and so we bring to our loving father the needs of the world, the church and ourselves.

Reader: Let us pray that the Holy Spirit will inspire all of us to share wide discussion and exchange fruitful ideas to prepare for the synod of 2023…. Pause … in your mercy. Lord, hear our prayer.

We pay that the leaders of the richer nations will help to supply poorer countries with the emergency aid and the vaccines that they need… pause … In your mercy, Lord…

Let us pray for peace in all areas of war, known and unknown… Pause … In your mercy, Lord, hear our prayer.

We pray for those working so hard to keep us healthy; scientists and cleaners, paramedics, and doctors, those who grow our food, who transport and sell it; stewards that keep churches open… pause … In your mercy, Lord, hear our prayer.

We pray for Tony Pinnell who died at home this/last week; and for Paul Stewart who died recently in Australia. May the Lord bring peace to all who mourn loved ones… pause … In your mercy, Lord, hear our prayer.

For a few quite moments. Let us pray in our own way… Longer pause

Mary was carrying the hope of the world; let us ask her help as we say, Hail Mary…

Priest: Father of the Prince of peace, listen kindly to our prayer, spoken and unspoken, offered in the spirit, through Jesus Christ Our Lord. Amen