Here’s a prayer of petition and
intercession for a Blue Christmas or Longest Night service. It was posted on The Young Clergywoman Project blog.
Prayers of the People:
Blue Christmas
In the spirit of this season
let us now confidently ask our God
for all the good things we need:
For ourselves
as we participate in this Christmas
coping with our many different losses.
God, hear our prayer.
And in your mercy, answer.
For our families and friends,
that they may continue to help and support us.
God, hear our prayer.
And in your mercy, answer.
For any person we have loved who has died,
for all the losses we know in our lives,
that all may be redeemed by your Easter promise.
God, hear our prayer.
And in your mercy, answer.
For our family and friends,
that you may bless them with love, peace, and joy.
God, hear our prayer.
And in your mercy, answer.
For peace throughout the world
as proclaimed by the Christmas Angels
on that faraway hillside.
God, hear our prayer.
And in your mercy, answer.
For greater understanding of the lessons of love and acceptance
as taught by Jesus your Christ.
God, hear our prayer.
And in your mercy, answer.
God of great compassion and love,
listen to the prayers of these your people.
Grant to all,
especially the bereaved and troubled ones this Christmas,
the blessing we ask in the name of Jesus,
who taught us to pray,
Our
Father, who art in heaven….
~ from a complete Blue Christmas
liturgy (“When Christmas Hurts”) posted on The Young Clergywoman Project blog.
http://youngclergywomen.org/blue-christmas-service-when-christmas-hurts/