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APPENDIX "D"
Suggested General Intercessions (Prayers of the Faithful) as options for your wedding.
OPTION #1 Priest: Now that we have heard God's words in the Bible or and experienced the Lord's presence in this Deacon exchange of vows, let us present these prayerful petitions for the people in the world today. Reader: To each petition please respond, "Lord, hear our prayer." 1. For our Holy Father on earth, the Pope, all the bishops and the clergy everywhere that they may lead us to deeper faith in God and a stronger love for others, let us pray to the Lord. 2. For our president and all leaders of government that they may be effective in achieving peace and eliminating poverty, let us pray to the Lord. 3. For married persons that they may continue to give, be able to forgive and find happiness deepen with the passing of each day, let us pray to the Lord. 4. For N. and N., now beginning their life together, that they may have divine assistance at every moment, the rich blessing of children, a warm love reaching out to others and good health until a ripe old age, let us pray to the Lord. 5. For those who are sick, lonely, discouraged or oppressed that they may be strengthened by God's help and aided by their friends, let us pray to the Lord. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Page 31 6. For those who have died, especially the relatives and friends of N. and N. and of all present for this wedding, that they may enjoy perfect happiness and total fulfillment in eternal life, let us pray to the Lord. 7. For these personal needs which we mention now in silence (pause), let us pray to the Lord. Priest: O ever-living and caring God, or Jesus taught us to ask, to seek, and to knock. Deacon We have just done so, confident that you will now consider our trusting faith, and in your great love grant these requests which we present to you through Jesus Christ our Lord. ALL: AMEN. OPTION #2 Priest: We have listened to the word of God. or Let us now ask God to listen to us, Deacon to bless our words of prayer which we offer for the people of the world. Reader: The response is "Lord, hear our prayer." For leaders of Church and State For heads of institutions For heads of homes and households... that they will lead us and guide us in the search for God and the good life in the search for peace and joy in the search for love among us... Let us pray to the Lord. For all married people: for those who married yesterday for the new couple, (bride & groom), married today -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Page 32 for those who will marry tomorrow... that they may savor the joy of being together, warm love and children, a long life, wine, and friends and a new day, every day -- Let us pray to the Lord. For all young single people who look forward to a vocation full of life and love -- Let us pray to the Lord. For the lonely old and the lonely young for the hungry rich and the hungry poor for the sick in body, mind and spirit for weakness in all of us -- Let us pray to the Lord. For our relatives and our friends who walk with us on life's journey and for those who have gone before us to the other side of life. For the fulfillment of all their unfulfilled desires Let us pray to the Lord. Priest: These are our words of prayer today or for ourselves and all human beings. Deacon Tomorrow there will be others. Lord God the beloved of mankind who has first loved us give our words by your listening the power of your word so that all things may be accomplished sweetly and gently for the happiness of all. Through Christ our Lord. People: AMEN. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Page 33 OPTION #3 Priest: God has given us promises in the word of or Scripture. N.(bride) and N.(groom) have given Deacon their promises to each other in their marriage. This hour of promise is also a time of prayer. We turn to God our Father and make our response by saying (singing): "Lord, have mercy." Reader: For our Church, to keep the promise of salvation, we pray to the Lord. For our world, to keep the promise of peace, we pray to the Lord. For our country, to keep the promise of freedom, we pray to the Lord. For our parish, to keep the promise of discipleship, we pray to the Lord. For our hearts, to keep the promise of loving, we pray to the Lord. For our hands, to keep the promise of giving, we pray to the Lord. For our lives, to keep the promise of growing, we pray to the Lord. For this couple, to keep the promise of marriage, we pray to the Lord. Priest: Father, you have chosen us and given us Your or love, the power of the Holy Spirit in our midst. Deacon Hear our prayers today and keep us open. May faith issue forth in action, our love show itself in deeds, and our hope give us courage. We ask this through Christ our Lord. AMEN. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Page 34 OPTION #4 [Actually a list of intentions from which you may choose several to personalize your wedding.] (The Presider briefly introduces the prayers) Reader: Our response to each of the intentions is: "Hear our Prayer" For the whole earth and all that dwells on it. May God continue to bless all creation, as from the beginning. Lord, in your mercy Through the giving and receiving of their vows, which we have witnessed today may (bride and groom) truly be one body, one Spirit, in Christ. Lord, in your mercy For all who lack the necessities of life. If hungry, may they be fed by us who share the Bread of Life. If in need of clothing, may they obtain garments worthy of their dignity as God's children. If seeking shelter, may they find a home with us who are the household of God. Lord, in your mercy For those in positions of civic authority. In the execution of their duties may they demonstrate respect for life and for the sanctity of marriage and family. Lord, in your mercy As Isaac took Rebekah into his tent, so may (bride and groom) join their lives and make a home together. Lord, in your mercy As Sarah and Tobiah prayed on their wedding night, so may God's blessings come upon (bride and groom). May they live together to a happy old age. Lord, in your mercy For all who join in this celebration today. May we rejoice in the covenant God has written in our hearts. Lord, in your mercy -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Page 35 For (bride and groom) on this, their wedding day. May they be so bound together by love that they may never be separated from each other or from the love of Christ. Lord, in your mercy St. Paul writes "Love never fails". May the love of (bride and groom) be unfailing; a symbol to all of Christ's love for his people. Lord, in your mercy Called to be salt and light to the world, may we share our flavor and let our light shine so that all may give praise to God. Lord, in your mercy May (bride and groom) build their home together on the bedrock that is the living Word of God. Lord, in your mercy Listening for the voice of Jesus in our daily lives, may we follow Mary's advice at Cana and do whatever he tells us. Lord, in your mercy For unity and peace among all who believe in God. May all be one in Christ. Lord, in your mercy For all the sick (especially family & friends of the bride and groom). May they rejoice at the wedding feast of the Lamb in the heavenly kingdom. Lord, in your mercy (The Presider offers prayer to conclude the intercessions.) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
