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, December 18, 2025

Advent Weekday (December 18 - O Adonai)

·Ferial

Liturgical Color: Violet

General Intercessions for Advent Weekday (December 18 - O Adonai)

Option 1

1.For authentic catechesis, that the Church may teach what she believes with clarity and without apology, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

2.That those who govern may enforce protections against forced labour and ensure that all workers receive fair pay, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

3.For the homeless and those without shelter, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

4.That God may give us courage to be honest in our prayer, even about the things we are most ashamed of, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

5.That our parish may support families in financial hardship and ensure no one in our community faces poverty alone, 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 may rest in the mercy and peace of God, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

Option 2

1.For Pope Leo XIV, that he may guide the Church with faithfulness and lead with a pastor's heart for the most vulnerable, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

2.That those in authority over social welfare may ensure that vulnerable families receive the support they need and are not left to manage alone, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

3.For the chronically ill, those living with disability or chronic pain, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

4.That this Advent may deepen our trust in God's closeness even when life is difficult and his presence feels far away, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

5.That our parish may reach the most isolated this Advent and ensure they are not forgotten, 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 who have died may be held in the love and mercy of God, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

Pro Life Option

1.That the Church may proclaim the dignity of every human life from the moment of conception with conviction and pastoral care, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

2.That those who govern may enact laws that protect unborn children from abortion and support women in pregnancy, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

3.For mothers who discover an unexpected pregnancy, that they may receive the practical support they need to welcome new life, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

4.That we may see clearly that care for the unborn and care for the poor are part of the same commitment to human dignity, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

5.That our parish may celebrate every new life and surround pregnant mothers with practical love and solidarity, 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 may rest in the 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"?