BIDDING PRAYERS
PRIEST
Our Lord, Jesus Christ, came as a small child two thousand years ago. He will come again in glory and, as we prepare for that second coming, we turn to him in prayer.
READER
We pray for the Church, the Body of Christ: may all Christians live by the light of his humble birth, who chose to be born in the simplicity of a manger: (pause) … Lord hear us.
Let us pray for the world and its rulers: in the midst of the many decisions they must make, we pray that their judgements may be concerned solely with the greater good of humankind as they strive to create a new and better world order: (pause) … Lord hear us.
For those who are oppressed by materialism and greed: may those who are suffering because of injustice find hope and encouragement as they prepare in their own way for the coming of Christ: (pause) … Lord hear us.
We pray for all Christian communities, especially our own: may our joy in preparing for Christmas flow from our belief that the birth of Jesus changed, not only the course of history, but our own lives as well: (pause) … Lord hear us.
We pray with Mary, the Mother of our Saviour, as we say: Hail Mary … etc.
God is always ready to hear our prayer. Let us make our personal petitions to him in silence.
PRIEST
God our Father, you gave us your only Son to prepare us for your kingdom. May our lives be a daily preparation for the day when we will see you face to face. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
First Sunday in Advent – Year B