One another, Advent4C

December 22, 2024

Micah 5:2-5 (1-4); Psalm 80 (79); Hebrews 10:5-10; Luke 1:39-44

In joyful anticipation of the Lord’s coming at Christmas, let us join our hearts and voices in prayer:

For our Church and parish community, that, like the almost unseen village of Bethlehem, we may reflect, in our life together, the light of God’s love: let us pray to the Lord.

For the nations and peoples of the world, that the reign of God’s justice and mercy may reach to the ends of the earth: let us pray to the Lord.

For all parents and guardians of children, that they may see in Mary and Elizabeth models of loving patience and selfless devotion to children and family: let us pray to the Lord.

For those who do not celebrate Christ’s birth, that they, too, may know the joy and peace of God’s reign: let us pray to the lord.

For our Jewish neighbors and friends, our ancestors in the faith, that God will continue to bless them with happiness and peace: let us pray to the Lord.

For those who have died in the peace of Christ [especially _________], that the new life of the Messiah may be theirs: let us pray to the Lord.

For the prayers we now make in the silence of our hearts [Pause...]: let us pray to the Lord.

O Lord, our Shepherd and Guide, come and shatter the darkness of our world with the light of your love. May these prayers we offer and our work to bring them to fulfillment bring the light and peace of the Messiah into our own time and place.

References

-United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. (2024al, December 22). Fourth Sunday of Advent. USCCB. https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/122224.cfm

-Cormier, J. (1995). Lord, Hear Our Prayer: Prayer of the Faithful for Sundays, Holy Days, and Ritual Masses.