1. religion and spirituality
2. christianity

The Universal Prayer
Sunday 7th December 2014
Second Sunday of Advent
Celebrant:
While we prepare a way for the Lord,
we strive to live ‘holy and saintly lives’
so that our preparation for Christmas
is deeply spiritual.
1.
That the Church, through her witness to charity and her faith in
God, will be a real and dynamic sign of hope for all people.
Let us pray to the Lord.
Grant this, almighty God.
2.
That the consolation of God will enfold all in distress at this time,
so that they may once again experience the joy that God is near to
them.
Let us pray to the Lord.
Grant this, almighty God.
3.
That in preparing for Christmas and the renewal of our wonder
that God has come so close to us in his Son, Jesus, we will seek the
forgiveness of our sins and strive to avoid those things in life
which make sin attractive to us.
Let us pray to the Lord.
Grant this, almighty God.
4.
That the spirit of wisdom and insight will be given to all
seeking to resolve the wars in Syria and Iraq, instability in Ukraine,
terrorism in Nigeria, religious intolerance in Northern India, and
religious persecution in China.
Let us pray to the Lord.
Grant this, almighty God.
5.
That the sick will be blessed with healing, the anxious be calmed
by the Holy Spirit and the dying be graced with acceptance.
Let us pray to the Lord.
Grant this, almighty God.
6.
That
Let us pray to the Lord.
Grant this, almighty God.
7.
That the dead will reach that ‘place where the righteous will be at
home.’
We remember . . .
Let us pray to the Lord.
Grant this, almighty God.
Celebrant:
Almighty God, in the fullness of time
you will reveal to us your ‘new heaven and new
earth’: help us to wait with peaceful hearts and
enduring hope.
Through Christ our Lord.
The Universal Prayer
Monday 8th December 2014
Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of Mary
Celebrant:
Today we rejoice that God filled the heart of Mary
with grace from the first moment of her existence,
preparing her to be the mother of his Son,
Jesus Christ.
1.
May Christians find in the grace and holiness of Mary
a sign of hope as they seek to be faithful to her Son, Jesus Christ.
Let us pray to the Lord.
2.
May we be able to accept the will of God in our lives,
and live each day with a firm faith, trusting hope,
and generous love.
Let us pray to the Lord..
3.
May those nations across the world which honour Mary under the
title of her Immaculate Conception as heavenly patroness: the
United States of America, Spain, Inner Mongolia, Tanzania, Zaire
and Equatorial Guinea, and the Diocese of Port Pirie, be peoples
committed to peace and justice.
Let us pray to the Lord.
4.
May the people of Port Adelaide, who also honour Mary’s
Immaculate Conception, be united in their faith and work for the
welfare of their local community.
Let us pray to the Lord.
5.
May we who have lost or tarnished the grace of our baptism,
find the fullness of God’s mercy in this celebration of the Holy
Eucharist.
Let us pray to the Lord.
6.
May this 49th anniversary of the closing of the Second Vatican
Council keep the Church, under the leadership of Pope Francis,
committed to its spirit of renewal and reform.
Let us pray to the Lord.
Celebrant:
Lord God, with Mary we rejoice in all your blessings,
and we ask for the grace to always live for you.
Through Christ our Lord
The Universal Prayer
Tuesday 9th December 2014
Second Week of Advent
Celebrant:
My friends, in the face of so much suffering around
the world and uncertainty about the future
we beg for the gift of God’s consolation.
1.
That the people of Jerusalem, so bitterly divided,
may once again receive the consolation of God
which will heal every division.
Let us pray to the Lord.
2.
That those who are grieving at this time
may know the blessings which Christ has promised to them.
Let us pray to the Lord.
3.
That the world might hear more clearly the joyful message
that God is here, like a shepherd feeding his flock.
Let us pray to the Lord.
4.
That those who carry the burden of sin
may meet Christ, the Good Shepherd,
in the Sacrament of Penance this Advent.
Let us pray to the Lord.
5.
That this International Anti-Corruption Day have a real effect on
Governments, Churches, National and International Organisations
and Sporting Bodies, so that by working together the destructive
power of corruption will be eliminated for the good of all citizens.
Let us pray to the Lord.
Celebrant:
Eternal King, you have promised to judge the world
with fairness. Do not look upon our sins, but see rather
our desire for peace and our passion for justice, so that
we can rejoice in your forgiveness.
Through Christ our Lord.
The Universal Prayer
Wednesday 10th December 2014
Second Week of Advent
Celebrant:
Dear friends, God’s strength and power, revealed by
the words of Isaiah, become strength through Christ
and power in the Spirit.
1.
That torture and cruelty may be eliminated from every jail in the
world.
Let us pray to the Lord.
2.
That the understanding of God, revealed in Jesus, may enlighten
our minds so that we can enter the mystery of God’s unfailing love.
Let us pray to the Lord.
3.
That those who have grown tired and weary with the burdens of
life, may find in God, who does not grow tired or weary,
the one who gives comfort and strength.
Let us pray to the Lord.
4.
That peace may come to Syria and Iraq.
Let us pray to the Lord.
5.
That this Human Rights Day will advance cooperation
among nations to ensure that basic human rights are preserved for
all people.
Let us pray to the Lord.
6.
That Australia will examine its collective conscience regarding
human rights, especially in relation to Indigenous people, asylum
seekers, the disabled, refugees, minority religious and ethnic
groups, the poor and disadvantaged.
Let us pray to the Lord.
Celebrant: Heavenly Shepherd,
you heal our ills and forgive our sins;
through this Eucharist receive our praise and thanksgiving.
Through Christ our Lord.
Thursday 11th December
St Damasus I, Pope
Second Week of Advent
Celebrant:
Sisters and brothers, once again we hear the word of
God telling us not to be afraid. Through our Eucharist
we renew our trust in that promise.
1.
We pray for those in our local community who are afraid at this
time because of personal difficulties, unemployment or sickness,
that they may be encouraged through friendship with others.
Let us pray to the Lord.
2.
We pray for those in refugee camps, prisons and detention centres,
along with those on temporary visas, anxious about their future,
that our Government, working with others, may find new ways to
enable people to live in freedom.
Let us pray to the Lord.
3.
We pray for those who have become the voice of the voiceless,
of those who feel disempowered in the face of huge difficulties,
that they may be advocates with integrity.
Let us pray to the Lord.
4.
We pray for all whose lives are severely traumatized by war: those
living in a war zone and in refugee camps, those injured and
grieving, those whose homes and places of work have been
destroyed, that peace will quickly come to them.
Let us pray to the Lord.
5.
We pray for those nations of Western Africa struggling to cope
with Ebola, that the nations of the world will work better together
to relieve suffering and overcome this epidemic.
Let us pray to the Lord.
Celebrant:
Almighty God, kind and merciful, rich in compassion,
have pity on all who suffer and bring them to
salvation.
Through Christ our Lord.
The Universal Prayer
Friday 12th December
(Our Lady of Guadalupe)
Second Week of Advent
Celebrant:
Friends, God invites us to find true freedom
by following the way Jesus has shown us.
1.
That Christians may give sincere witness to following the way of
Christ, and so grow with integrity.
Let us pray to the Lord.
2.
That the generations in our families
may live in peace with each other: the young and the old learning
from each other with mutual respect.
Let us pray to the Lord.
3.
That we may understand the wisdom of Jesus,
who ate with sinners, calling them to a new life,
who prayed and fasted alone, drawing closer to his Father.
Let us pray to the Lord.
4.
That at this time of the year we may strike a healthy balance
between eating and drinking and the need for self-discipline.
Let us pray to the Lord.
5.
That the unborn, placed under the patronage of Our Lady of
Guadalupe, may be protected from all harm, and so come to birth
surrounded by much love.
Let us pray to the Lord.
6.
That the nations of the Americas – South, Central and North – who
honour Our Lady of Guadalupe as patroness, may be strong in faith
and active in charity.
Let us pray to the Lord.
7.
That the Sisters of Mercy, celebrating their Foundation Day today,
may continue to follow the example of Venerable Catherine
McAuley, and be women of mercy and compassion.
Let us pray to the Lord.
Celebrant:
Lord our God, give us the strength to follow your way.
Through Christ our Lord.
The Universal Prayer
Saturday 13th December
St Lucy
Second Week of Advent
Celebrant:
Dear friends,
the life of Elijah Prophet had a powerful influence on
Jewish people, and in the Transfiguration he and
Moses appeared in the presence of Jesus.
1.
That the goodness of Elijah may continue to inspire people of faith.
Let us pray to the Lord.
2.
That we may appreciate the many miracles which take place in our
lives each day.
Let us pray to the Lord.
3.
That the return of Elijah to heaven may remind us of our destiny
to live with God forever.
Let us pray to the Lord.
4.
That those who have died from our parish, families and friends
may sleep in God’s love, waiting for their resurrection.
Let us pray to the Lord.
5.
That the sick who honour St Lucy as patroness, especially people
with eye diseases, those suffering from haemorrhage and with
throat infections, may receive the gift of healing.
Let us pray to the Lord.
6.
That glaziers and cutlers, who also honour St Lucy, may carry out
their work with honesty and responsibility.
Let us pray to the Lord.
Celebrant: God and King,
be our shepherd,
come to our help,
protect us,
do not forsake us.
Though Christ our Lord.