Here is a prayer of intercession drawing on the scripture readings from Advent 3, Year B (John 1:6-8, 19-28 - the ministry of John the Baptist). It was written by Christine Odell. She recommends that it be done using two voices.
Advent Intercessions
(based on John 1: 6-8, 19-28)
“There is nothing that will stop me speaking out against government oppression, whatever form it takes. The powerless have no voice, so those of us with speech and beliefs must be the conscience of the nations.”
Lord as John the Baptist came proclaiming your message of justice, may we, the church, be prophets for our own time. Help us to work to make governments more aware of their responsibilities to those under their authority, whether they are rich or poor, black or white, male or female, and whatever their political or religious persuasion.
We ask that by our words, prayers and actions, we may be forerunners for your kingdom of love, justice and peace.
“I can’t make my child become a Christian, I wish it was that simple. But I hope that what I do and what I say will show what Christ means to me, and will show where God nay be found.”
Lord, as John the Baptist came to prepare the way for your coming, may we, the church, seek to prepare the way for you to come into the lives of others. Help us so to follow Christ that in all our relationships with other people something of his love may be seen, something of his nature understood.
We ask that by our words, prayers and actions, we may be forerunners for Christ to enter the lives of others.
“I’m not sitting in judgment on other people by living in this simple manner, but I don’t agree with the way society is going. For me, quality of life comes from what you are, and not from what you earn.”
Lord, as John the Baptist came to call the people to repentance, may we, the church, offer to others by our witness and example, an alternative way of life, a way of life based on love and truth, rather than selfishness and complacency. Help us to keep a clear view of your goodness, so that our values may reflect our faith and not the values of the society around us.
We ask that by our words, prayers and actions, we may be forerunners for the salvation of humankind.
“Is everyone in the church happily married, perfectly adjusted, certain of their own faith, totally respectable? Or do they just believe they should appear to be? Is there room for a mixed up sinner like me?”
Lord, as John the Baptist came to challenge the religious people of his day, may we, the church, always be ready to challenge our own attitudes and traditions in the name of love. Help our church to become a place of healing where the anxious and depressed, the sick and the bereaved and those who believe they are of little worth, may find acceptance and love.
We ask that by our words, prayers and actions, we may be forerunners for the joy of life in Christ. Amen.
— written by Christine Odell, in Companion to the Lectionary, Volume 4. Posted on the Church of Scotland’s Starters for Sunday website.
