Christmas Eve Intercession

Unequivocally, prayer is like breath for me. It is the link between the Creator of Heaven and Earth, and his daughter–me. No matter what I am doing, I find that I talk to our Heavenly Father through-out the day.

It was my pleasure and privilege to once again provide the intercessions at St. Mary the Virgin Church, here in Langley. I focused on the coming of Jesus into our world.

Sunday, 24^th December 2023

Reader:  To A Broken world we proclaim;

Response: Christ the Savior, God with us.

Elohim, we come in worship today.  The Godhead spoke, and God became flesh.  The Creator of order, patterns, systems and processes, incorporated Himself into the cycle of life.  Our limited imaginations can not fathom the concept that Christ knowingly left heaven in the form of a seed, and in time, experienced the trauma of birth.  Yet, He did.  Today we remember that God kept His promise of sending a Saviour.  We also remember His promise to return. 

Reader:  To A Broken world we proclaim;

Response: Christ the Savior, God with us.

The Church of Christ:  You were born into history thousands of years ago.  Today, you are born into our hearts, through faith.  Teach us to be like Mary, with our hearts open and surrendered in obedience.  She lived in troubled times, in a world broken.  We live in a war-torn world, full of anger, fear, hunger, injuries and death.  Teach your church to pray.  Pour out grace, empowering us in our praises to see the forces of evil to flee.  Teach us to rescue the perishing—using our talents, abilities and gifts to further the Kingdom of Heaven on earth.

Reader:  To A Broken world we proclaim;

Response: Christ the Savior, God with us.

Creation, Human society, the sovereign and those in authority:  Angels proclaimed the birth of Christ to the shepherds.  Wise men from the East sought out the King, born in a manger.  Everything changed–suddenly, God was with us—to be touched, to touch us, to teach us.  All of creation resonated with the glorious appearing, fulfilling prophesy.  Lord, at this special time of remembrance, even World Leaders acknowledge that Jesus Christ changed the world by His birth. 

Reader:  To A Broken world we proclaim;

Response: Christ the Savior, God with us.

The Local Community:  As we look around our own community, our hearts are grieved by the spiritual blindness we see.  Father, show us how to reach out to the lost, the hurting, the isolated, the lonely; not just during Christmas season, but everyday of the year.  Prepare people’s hearts and minds to hear of the good news—not only that Jesus Christ has been born—but that He can be born into our lives and bring healing, love, hope and joy. 

Reader:  To A Broken world we proclaim;

Response: Christ the Savior, God with us.

Those Who Suffer: The world is suffering: Russia, Ukraine, Israel-Palestine, Syria, Prague, Iceland.  War, natural disasters, life-threatening diseases/illnesses.  We pray for the end of war.  We pray for reconciliation and reparation.  We pray for healing of bodies, healing of minds, healing of hearts and human spirits.  Jesus, let us find our own healing as we reach out to touch and heal others. 

Reader:  To A Broken world we proclaim;

Response: Christ the Savior, God with us.

The Communion of Saints:  Each of us are here because faithful Disciples of Jesus taught us faith by their example.  We give thanks for their legacy.  We entrust ourselves to You, knowing that even now, God is with us, in us and around us. 

Merciful Father, Accept these prayers for the sake of your Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ, Amen.