The Celebrant will introduce and also conclude the prayer.
The reader should pause for several moments between the intercession and its response.
Leave about 20 seconds for the quiet prayer. There is no response after this – move straight to the Hail Mary.
CELEBRANT: Brothers and sisters, as St Paul writes to the Philippians, if there is anything you need, pray for it, asking God for it with prayer and thanksgiving. Let us have confidence then to ask God for our needs.
READER: (The response is): Hear our prayer.
READER: Let us pray for the church. May its tolerance be evident to everyone, particularly in this Year of Mercy. May it shout out the Good News with Joy.
…….. (PAUSE)……….. In Your mercy, Lord ……. Hear our prayer.
READER: We pray for the leaders of the world that they may show wisdom and justice in considering the actions needed to alleviate climate change, considering the needs of poor as well as wealthy nations and the needs of future generations as well as our own.
…. (PAUSE)…… In Your mercy, Lord …. Hear our prayer.
READER: We pray for those who continue to be affected by floods and also those who suffer the longer consequences of drought, in Namibia, China and elsewhere. We pray that in a world of plenty there will be the people and means to help them.
…… (PAUSE)…… In Your mercy, Lord ……. Hear our prayer.
READER: Let us pray for the lonely, who perhaps will not share the Joy of Christmas. May the Lord offer them comfort and encourage us to reach out to them and show them friendship and love….(PAUSE)…… In Your mercy, Lord …. Hear our prayer.
READER: Let us quietly ask for any personal needs or the needs of others (Long Pause)…. Let us ask the intercession of Mary, mother of the Lord: Hail Mary, etc.
After a short pause the Celebrant will conclude the prayer.
CELEBRANT: Father, You are our salvation and we trust in You. Listen then to our petitions and grant them through Your Son, Jesus Christ, in union with the Holy Spirit, for ever and ever. Amen.
