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

Sunday, August 17, 2025

Monday, 20th Week in Ordinary Time

·Weekday

Liturgical Color: Green

General Intercessions for Monday, 20th Week in Ordinary Time

Option 1

1.That the Church may always call her members beyond mere observance of commandments to radical discipleship—to give all they have and follow Christ wherever He leads, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

2.That leaders of nations may be moved to share wealth with the poor and create just societies where no one is left behind by the hunger for possessions, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

3.For those who feel the pull of Christ's call but hesitate, weighed down by possessions, comfort, or status, that they may not walk away sad but embrace the freedom of the Gospel, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

4.That we may honestly ask the Lord: 'What do I still lack?'—and be open to whatever He asks, even if it means letting go of our most prized possessions, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

5.That our parish may be a community of generous disciples who hold nothing back from God, storing up treasure in heaven through service and self-giving, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

Optional:For those discerning a vocation to religious life or priesthood, that they may respond to Christ's invitation with courage.Lord, hear our prayer.

That N. and all who have died may have laid aside every earthly attachment and now possess the treasure of eternal life in God, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

Option 2

1.For Pope Leo XIV and all bishops, that they may inspire the faithful to seek not worldly comfort but the treasure in heaven that moth and rust cannot destroy, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

2.That all peoples may be freed from the idolatry of wealth and possessions, recognizing that eternal life is the one thing worth seeking above all else, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

3.For those who are enslaved to materialism or consumerism, that Christ's invitation—'Come, follow me'—may break through the hold of earthly goods and set them free, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

4.That we may hear today's Gospel as addressed personally to us: 'What good must I do?'—and take a courageous step toward greater love of God and neighbor, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

5.That our parish may encourage generous giving, simplicity of life, and the detachment that makes us truly free to follow Christ without looking back, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

Optional:For those who are struggling with debt or poverty, that they may find generous support and God's providential care.Lord, hear our prayer.

That N. and all who have died may find in Christ the treasure that surpasses all earthly riches, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

Pro Life Option

1.That the Church may call every generation to see children not as a burden but as the one treasure that cannot be bought or sold—a gift from God to be welcomed with open arms, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

2.That lawmakers may understand that true wealth is measured not in material goods but in the lives we protect—especially those of unborn children—and may legislate accordingly, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

3.For women in crisis pregnancies who feel they have too little to give their child, that God may show them that a mother's love is the greatest treasure, and that support is near, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

4.That we may not walk away from the invitation to choose life—for ourselves or for others—but respond generously, trusting that those who give all receive a hundredfold, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

5.That our parish community may be rich in practical support for vulnerable mothers and children, so that no one faces the gift of new life feeling alone and without resources, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

Optional:For crisis pregnancy centers and ministries that provide material support to mothers choosing life.Lord, hear our prayer.

That N. and all who have died, including the unborn, may receive the treasure of eternal life from the God who knows every soul by name, 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"?