PRIEST: As we begin our Advent journey and try to ‘stay awake’ and ‘get ready’ for the coming of Jesus let us bring before God our loving Father our prayers for the Church, for the world and for ourselves.

We pray for the Church: that in the coming months we will all take the opportunity to participate positively in the worldwide Synodal process with a spirit of openess and honesty – and hope. 
PAUSE FOR SILENT PRAYER
Lord hear us Lord graciously hear us

Let us pray that our political leaders will find a way to help all migrants and asylum seekers with compassion and respect. Let us pray especially for those migrants who drowned last week in their search for a better life in Britain.
PAUSE FOR SILENT PRAYER
Lord hear us Lord graciously hear us

We pray for the wellbeing of doctors, nurses and all who work in the health service as we enter this difficult winter season with Covid still amongst us.
PAUSE FOR SILENT PRAYER
Lord hear us Lord graciously hear us

Let us pray for those for whom this time of year is difficult and anxious – for the homeless, the unemployed, the poor, the sick and the lonely.
PAUSE FOR SILENT PRAYER
Lord hear us Lord graciously hear us

We now spend a few moments in silent prayer, bringing to the Lord our personal  needs and intentions.

LONGER PAUSE 

Let us now ask Mary, mother of the Church, to intercede for us in our prayers today as we say, Hail Mary….

PRIEST: God our loving Father, as we prepare for the coming of Jesus Christ, your Son, we ask you to hear the prayers of your people and grant what we need. We ask this through your Son, Jesus, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, Amen.