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 25, 2025

THE NATIVITY OF THE LORD (CHRISTMAS)

✚Solemnity

Liturgical Color: White or Gold

General Intercessions for THE NATIVITY OF THE LORD (CHRISTMAS)

Option 1

1.That the Church, rejoicing in the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ, may proclaim His peace and salvation to all the ends of the earth, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

2.That world leaders may be guided by the light of the Christmas star to seek paths of peace, justice, and reconciliation for all nations, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

3.For all families, that the love and joy of the Holy Family of Nazareth may fill their homes this Christmas and always, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

4.That we who adore the Word made flesh may have our hearts transformed by His humility and our lives filled with His grace, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

5.That our local community, celebrating Christ's birth, may be a beacon of His light and love, sharing His joy with all, especially the poor and lonely, 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 who awaited the Messiah may now rejoice with Him in the eternal glory of heaven, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

Option 2

1.For Pope Leo XIV and all pastors, that they may be faithful shepherds, like those at Bethlehem, leading all to adore the newborn King, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

2.That all humanity may recognize Christ, born in a manger, as the true King of kings and Lord of lords, and worship Him with joy, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

3.For those who are poor, homeless, or forgotten this Christmas, that they may experience the warmth of God's love and our Christian charity, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

4.That the peace of Christ, announced by the angels, may reign in our hearts, our homes, and throughout the world, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

5.For our parish, that our celebration of Christmas may renew our faith, deepen our love, and inspire us to greater service, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

Optional:For a spirit of generosity and sharing during this Christmas season.Lord, hear our prayer.

That N. and all who have died may be brought by the angels into the eternal Christmas joy of God's presence, 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"?