INTRODUCTORY REFLECTION
“John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness,” Mark writes, and “all Judaea and all the people of Jerusalem made their way to him.”
Where are the Baptists of today? Into what wilderness might we venture to own our collective moral failures, repent and seek forgiveness?
Here are a few that come readily to mind. The wildernesses of blighted landscapes and warming oceans, of rapacious economies, populist politics, racial hatred, sexual abuse, male supremacy, forced migration and the industry of misinformation.
Each one has its Baptists declaring the truth and heralding a better way, if we but choose to attend to them and embrace the future that God is forever bringing to birth. Advent promises nothing less than a new heaven and a new earth.
THE WEEK’S PRAYER FOCUS
We pray for all who dedicate their lives ceaselessly to the work of justice and peace, that their passion for a new world will call us to a change of heart.
SAMPLE INTERCESSIONS
These intercessions are offered for selected use at Sunday Mass in the parish alongside those that express local needs and concerns.
PRESIDER
Dear friends, the word of God encourages us to wait in hope and peace for the day of salvation. Full of expectation, let us pray for the coming of God’s reign.
READER
We pray for church communities around the world. May they be a strong and comforting sign of God’s saving love for the whole of creation. (Pause for silent prayer) Lord, hear us.
We pray for world leaders. On this United Nations Day of Human Rights, may they pledge to respect the God-given dignity of all human beings and uphold their fundamental rights. (Pause for silent prayer) Lord, hear us.
We pray for the fragile and diminishing Christian population of the Holy Land. May Christians there remain strong in faith and bear witness before all to the peace of Christ. (Pause for silent prayer) Lord, hear us.
We pray for all who are working to sow seeds of peace in the Middle East, Ukraine, Sudan, Yemen, Myanmar and Afghanistan. May they not lose heart at the immensity of the task. (Pause for silent prayer) Lord, hear us.
We pray for young people pleading for the protection of nature. May the world they will inherit be kept safe from the ravages of global warming. (Pause for silent prayer) Lord, hear us.
We pray for the many refugees, asylum seekers and stateless persons living in Australia with deep anxiety about their status and their future. May their hopes for a positive resolution be fulfilled. (Pause for silent prayer) Lord, hear us.
We pray for women subjected to domestic violence, especially those who fear for their lives. May they find the refuge and support they need to break free. (Pause for silent prayer) Lord, hear us.
We pray for all members of our faith community. May we accompany one another in prayer and peace through this Advent season of divine promise. (Pause for silent prayer) Lord, hear us.
We pray for the recently deceased . . . and for those whose anniversary of death occurs around this time. May they dwell for ever in God’s new heavens and new earth. (Pause for silent prayer) Lord, hear us.
PRESIDER
God of all comfort and consolation, you never cease to renew our hope for the transformation of the world. Free us from fear and help us play our part in your work of love. We ask this through Christ, our Lord. Amen.