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

Thursday, July 17, 2025

Thursday, 14th Week in Ordinary Time

·Ferial

Liturgical Color: Green

General Intercessions for Thursday, 14th Week in Ordinary Time

Option 1

1.That the Church may always hold fast to the teaching of Jesus — 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice' — and proclaim a God who prizes compassion over rigid observance, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

2.That leaders of nations may govern with mercy and wisdom, giving priority to human dignity over bureaucratic rule, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

3.For those burdened by legalism, perfectionism, or a distorted image of God, that they may encounter the merciful Christ who desires compassion above all, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

4.That we may learn from Jesus, Lord of the Sabbath, to keep holy days as seasons of grace and renewal rather than occasions of scrupulous burden, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

5.For our parish, that we may build a community marked by mercy toward one another, forgiving readily and welcoming all with the heart of Christ, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

Optional:For a deeper understanding of God's mercy, that we may mirror it in all our dealings with others.Lord, hear our prayer.

That N. and all the faithful departed may receive God's mercy and rest in the peace of His eternal Sabbath, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

Option 2

1.For Pope Leo XIV, that he may proclaim the Gospel of mercy boldly and guide the Church to be a field hospital of compassion for the wounded and searching, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

2.That nations may enact laws that reflect the mercy and dignity God wills for every human person, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

3.For those who are hungry — spiritually, materially, or emotionally — that they may find nourishment in Christ, who satisfies every longing, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

4.That we may recognize Jesus as Lord of every moment of our lives, and offer our Sundays and daily rest to His glory rather than to our own pursuits, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

5.For our community, that we may seek first God's kingdom and trust that all else will be given to us, never placing lesser concerns above worship and prayer, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

Optional:For those who have drifted from Sunday worship, that they may rediscover the Lord's Day as a gift of grace.Lord, hear our prayer.

That N. and all who have died may be welcomed into that eternal Sabbath rest where Christ is Lord of all, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

Pro Life Option

1.That the Church may proclaim with Christ that God desires mercy — and that every act of mercy toward the unborn and their mothers flows from this divine heart, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

2.That lawmakers may choose mercy over political calculation, protecting the lives of unborn children and the mothers who carry them, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

3.For mothers in crisis pregnancies who feel crushed under impossible pressures, that they may find the mercy and practical support they need to choose life, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

4.That we may never be silent when human dignity is at stake, but speak the truth with the mercy of Christ who said 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice', let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

5.For our community, that we may be a people of mercy who welcome both mother and child, supporting them through pregnancy and beyond, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

Optional:For all who serve women in crisis pregnancies, that their work of mercy may be blessed and fruitful.Lord, hear our prayer.

That N. and all innocent children lost before birth may rest in the boundless mercy of God, 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"?