For the church: that God will deepen our faith and help us to live in trusting reliance upon the Lord
For a deepening of prayer: that the Spirit will guide our families in praying together and help us to listen to God’s response in the quiet of our hearts and in the experiences of each day
For all mothers: that the Son of Mary will help them to love their children unselfishly and guide them in God’s ways
For all fathers: that the Son of the carpenter will fill them with wisdom as they seek to guide their children toward maturity and wholeness
For all children: that Emmanuel will protect them from harm and help them discover their dignity as children of God
For all who help others grow, particularly parents, teachers, coaches and mentors: that they may affirm and encourage young people to fully recognize and utilize their gifts and opportunities
For a deeper appreciation of our humanity: that we may recognize God’s gifts and invitations in our ordinary experiences of love, challenge, and opportunities to serve others
For all married couples: that they may faithfully witness to the love that God has placed in their hearts and help each other to grow in Christ
For all Senior Citizens: that like Simeon and Anna, they may continually build up their community by prayer and loving service
For families separated by war or disasters and for those in refugee camps: that God will give them courage, relieve their suffering and open new opportunities for them in New Year
For all who have no families, for those who have been orphaned or who are alienated from or rejected by their families: that they may experience love and acceptance through this Christian community
For those who are experiencing divorce: that the Christ Child may bring healing and hope to their hearts
For families wounded by addictions: that God will free those bound by addictions and heal the wounded relationships in their lives
For greater communication and listening: that God will open our hearts to truly hear one another and give us courage to share our deeper selves with those with whom we share commitment
For Peace in Jerusalem: that the Holy City for Jews, Muslims and Christians, may be a place of dialogue and respect