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, February 22, 2026

1st SUNDAY OF LENT

·Sunday

Liturgical Color: Violet

General Intercessions for the 1st SUNDAY OF LENT

Option 1

1.That the Church may enter this Lenten season as a community truly seeking God's face and not merely performing religious customs, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

2.That world leaders may be guided by wisdom and fortitude to overcome the temptations of power, greed, and injustice, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

3.For catechumens and candidates preparing for baptism at Easter, that their Lenten preparation may become a real and personal encounter with Christ, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

4.That God may meet us in our desert places this Lent, as he met Christ, and bring us through to something new, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

5.That our parish may hold one another accountable in our Lenten commitments with gentleness and genuine care, 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, through the mercy of God, may find rest from their labors and enter eternal life, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

Option 2

1.For Pope Leo XIV and all pastors, that they may lead us faithfully through this Lenten desert, guiding us to the joy of Easter, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

2.That civil authorities may be moved to address the widespread homelessness afflicting our cities and provide adequate housing for those who have none, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

3.For those who have not left their house in days because despair has made even simple tasks feel impossible, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

4.That our Lenten fasting may build in us a true and lasting compassion for those who go hungry without choice, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

5.For our parish, that it may be a community of fervent prayer, sincere repentance, and active charity throughout this Lenten season, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

Optional:For a deeper spirit of penance and conversion within our hearts and our community.Lord, hear our prayer.

That N. and all who have died may be cleansed by Christ's victory over sin and death, and share in His resurrection, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

Pro Life Option

1.That the Church, in this season of spiritual battle, may be a powerful advocate against the temptation to devalue human life through abortion, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

2.That lawmakers may resist the temptation to promote laws that harm the unborn, and instead choose to protect every human life, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

3.For unborn children carried by mothers who are homeless or destitute and cannot imagine how they will provide for them, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

4.That we may be moved this Lenten season to ask what more we can do for unborn children and for mothers facing the hardest circumstances, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

5.That our local community may commit to Lenten practices of prayer and fasting for an end to abortion and for the protection of all vulnerable lives, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

Optional:For all who offer compassionate care and support to pregnant women in crisis.Lord, hear our prayer.

That N. and all innocent children lost to abortion may be embraced by our merciful Father in heaven, 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"?