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, January 11, 2026

THE BAPTISM OF THE LORD

✦Feast

Liturgical Color: White

General Intercessions for THE BAPTISM OF THE LORD

Option 1

1.That the Church, through the sacrament of Baptism, may continue to welcome new members into the family of God, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

2.That those who govern may protect religious freedom as a fundamental right, allowing communities of faith to worship and serve without interference, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

3.For those who have never been baptized but are quietly considering the faith, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

4.That we may live the promises made at our baptism with more honesty and courage than we have managed so far, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

5.That our local community, remembering our own baptism, may be renewed in our identity as sons and daughters of God, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

Optional:For parents and godparents, that they may faithfully support those entrusted to their care.Lord, hear our prayer.

That N. and all who have died in the grace of their baptism may share in Christ's resurrection, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

Option 2

1.For Pope Leo XIV and all who lead the Church, that they may draw people to Christ by the quality of their service rather than the exercise of authority, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

2.That those who govern may uphold the rights of those whose conscience prevents them from complying with unjust laws, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

3.For those who were baptized as infants and have never engaged with the faith they received, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

4.That we may be attentive to the ways God speaks to us in the events of this ordinary week, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

5.That our parish may make genuine contact with those who were once part of this community and have drifted away, 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, made children of God through Baptism, may inherit the promise of eternal life, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

Variations if Feast is not selected

Option 1

1.That the Church may proclaim the Gospel with courage in a culture that increasingly ignores or dismisses its message, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

2.That those who govern may ensure fair working conditions and adequate wages for those in the lowest-paid occupations, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

3.For those struggling with severe loneliness, especially the elderly living alone without regular visitors, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

4.That we may be faithful to the small daily practices of prayer rather than waiting for spiritual inspiration to arrive, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

5.That our parish may make genuine contact with those who live nearby but have never once entered the building, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

Optional:For those beginning new responsibilities or roles this week.Lord, hear our prayer.

That N. and all the faithful departed may rest in the peace of God, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

Option 2

1.For Pope Leo XIV, that he may be close to those in the Church who are isolated, discouraged, or overlooked, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

2.That those who govern may strengthen provision for social housing and ensure that no family is left without a safe place to live, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

3.For those facing a diagnosis of serious or terminal illness, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

4.That we may forgive someone who has wronged us, even if they have not asked for it, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

5.That our parish may be a community where no one is expected to hide what they are going through, 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 welcomed into eternal life, 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"?