What are general intercessions for daily Mass?

General intercessions, also known as prayers of the faithful or universal prayers, are prayers offered during Catholic Mass where the congregation prays for the needs of the Church, the world, the suffering, and the local community. They are called "general" because they address universal concerns rather than specific individual requests.

How are general intercessions different from prayers of the faithful?

General intercessions and prayers of the faithful are actually the same thing. "General intercessions" emphasizes their universal nature, while "prayers of the faithful" emphasizes who offers them - the baptized faithful. Both terms refer to the same liturgical element of the Mass.

When are general intercessions prayed during Mass?

General intercessions are prayed during the Liturgy of the Word, after the homily and Creed (if said). They conclude the Liturgy of the Word before the Liturgy of the Eucharist begins with the Preparation of the Gifts.

Who writes the general intercessions for daily Mass?

Our general intercessions are written by Giuseppe Njualem, a seminarian at St. Peter's Seminary in London, Ontario, following the guidelines of the General Instruction of the Roman Missal (GIRM) and with input from theology students and experienced clergy.

Understanding General Intercessions for Daily Mass

General intercessions, also known as the "Prayer of the Faithful" or "Universal Prayer," are an essential part of the Catholic Mass where the congregation joins together to pray for the needs of the Church and the world. These intercessions are called "general" because they address universal concerns that affect all Catholics and humanity as a whole.

📖 How to Use These General Intercessions

1. Choose Your Option: Browse the available intercession options for today's Mass.

2. Download PDF: Click "Download PDF" to get a formatted copy for your lector or liturgy coordinator.

3. Edit if Needed: Use "Edit" to customize intercessions for your parish's specific needs.

4. Browse Other Dates: Use the calendar to access intercessions for any date throughout the year.

General Intercessions for Daily Mass

Wednesday, April 16, 2025

Thursday of the 2nd Week of Easter

·Ferial

Liturgical Color: White

General Intercessions for Thursday of the 2nd Week of Easter

Option 1

1.For the Church, that she may bear witness to what she has seen and heard — not her own opinions or preferences, but the testimony of the One who comes from above and speaks the words of God, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

2.That world leaders may seek a perspective above the merely earthly — the long view, the eternal measure — rather than governing only by what the next election or quarterly report demands, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

3.For those confined to an earthly horizon — who cannot imagine any dimension of human life beyond the material — that the Risen Christ may open a window above and show them what He has seen, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

4.That we may receive the Spirit given without measure — not the trickle of our own effort and resolve but the flood of God's grace poured out freely on all who ask, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

5.That our parish may be a community that speaks with the authority of those who have seen and heard — a community of Easter witnesses, not merely of Easter opinions, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

Optional:For our sick, bereaved, and all who have asked for our prayers.Lord, hear our prayer.

For N. and all the faithful departed, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

Option 2

1.For the Church, that she may rest in the Easter confidence that the Father loves the Son and has placed all things in His hands — and that this means all things, including whatever seems most beyond repair, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

2.That those who exercise authority may be true witnesses — whose testimony matches the reality they govern, who do not misrepresent or conceal — knowing they will answer to the One who testifies to all things truly, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

3.For those who receive the words of the Risen Christ — who are open to the testimony that comes from above — that their faith may deepen and their lives may be transformed by what they have accepted, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

4.That we may live today from the assurance Christ speaks: whoever believes in the Son has eternal life — and let that certainty make us generous, fearless, and free, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

5.That our parish may be alive in the Spirit given without measure — not rationing grace or narrowing welcome, but pouring out in abundance what has been poured upon us, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

Optional:For a deeper Easter confidence in the Spirit's gift given freely and without limit.Lord, hear our prayer.

For N. and all the faithful departed, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

Pro Life Option

1.That the Church may speak from above the merely earthly calculation — declaring that every unborn life has a worth that no earthly measure of convenience or cost can touch, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

2.That lawmakers may receive the testimony of those who speak from above the political noise — the doctors, the scientists, the mothers — and act on what eternal life demands of earthly law, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

3.For women who have been told that their unborn child's life has only earthly value — assessed by disability, economics, or inconvenience — that they may hear the testimony from above: this child is known and loved by the God who holds all things, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

4.That we may testify to what we have seen and heard this Easter — that life is stronger than death — and bring that testimony fearlessly into every conversation about the unborn, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

5.That our parish may be a community where the Spirit is given without measure to those who serve the unborn and their mothers — sustained not by their own resources alone but by the grace that flows from the Risen Christ, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

Optional:For all who bear witness to the value of unborn life, that they may speak with the authority of those who have truly seen.Lord, hear our prayer.

For N. and all the faithful departed, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

About Our General Intercessions for Daily Mass

Our general intercessions are carefully written by Giuseppe Njualem, a seminarian at St. Peter's Seminary in London, Ontario. Each set of intercessions follows the guidelines established by the General Instruction of the Roman Missal (GIRM) and is crafted with input from theology students and experienced clergy.

📅 Liturgically Accurate

Every intercession is crafted to reflect the specific liturgical season, rank, and saint of the day, ensuring theological accuracy and seasonal appropriateness.

🌍 Universally Focused

Our general intercessions address the four traditional categories: Church needs, world concerns, those in distress, and local community intentions.

📝 Ready to Use

Each option is formatted for immediate use by lectors and can be downloaded as a professional PDF for easy printing and reading during Mass.

✏️ Customizable

Edit any intercession to address your parish's specific needs while maintaining the theological structure and universal focus of general intercessions.

BiddingPrayers.com

Understanding General Intercessions for Daily Mass

Why "General Intercessions" vs "Prayers of the Faithful"?