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

20th SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

·Sunday

Liturgical Color: Green

General Intercessions for the 20th SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

Option 1

1.That the Church may always extend God's mercy and salvation to all peoples, even those considered outsiders or unworthy, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

2.That world leaders may govern with compassion and justice, ensuring that the needs of the marginalized and forgotten are met, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

3.For all who feel excluded or on the fringes of society, that they may encounter Christ's welcoming love through the ministry of the Church, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

4.That we may have faith like the Canaanite woman, persevering in prayer and trusting in God's goodness even when faced with silence or apparent rejection, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

5.That our local community may be a place where all are welcomed with open hearts, and where the crumbs of God's grace are shared abundantly, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

Optional:For our sick, bereaved, etc., special projects or events.Lord, hear our prayer.

That N. and all the faithful departed, especially those who persevered in faith, may now feast at God's eternal banquet, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

Option 2

1.For Pope Leo XIV and all pastors, that they may have hearts open to the needs of all, recognizing Christ's presence even in unexpected places, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

2.That all humanity may be gathered into the one family of God, breaking down barriers of prejudice and division, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

3.For those whose prayers seem unanswered, that they may not lose heart but continue to cry out to the Lord with persistent faith, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

4.That we may overcome our own biases and be willing to extend Christ's mercy to everyone, without exception, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

5.For our parish, that it may be a community that actively seeks out the lost and welcomes all who come seeking the Lord's healing and grace, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

Optional:For a greater spirit of inclusivity and outreach in our Church.Lord, hear our prayer.

That N. and all who have died may be found worthy to gather the scraps from the Master's table in heaven, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

Pro Life Option

1.That the Church may be a persistent voice for every unborn child, pleading for their right to life even when society seems deaf, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

2.That lawmakers may have a conversion of heart, recognizing the humanity of the unborn and extending protection to them, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

3.For a profound change in our culture, that all may see abortion as a grave injustice and work to end this violence against the most vulnerable, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

4.That expectant mothers facing difficult circumstances may persevere in choosing life, trusting in God's help and the support of our community, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

5.That our local community may be a place where every unborn child is defended and where all are called to cherish God's gift of life, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

Optional:For all who advocate for the unborn with persistent faith and unwavering hope.Lord, hear our prayer.

That N. and all innocent children lost to abortion may be gathered by God's mercy into His eternal embrace, 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"?