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, February 26, 2026

Thursday in the 1st Week of Lent

·Ferial

Liturgical Color: Violet

General Intercessions for Thursday in the 1st Week of Lent

Option 1

1.For seminarians and those discerning a call to priesthood or religious life, that they may hear God's voice clearly and respond without fear, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

2.That governments may take decisive action to end child trafficking and exploitation, allocating sufficient resources to prosecution and to the care of survivors, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

3.For elderly people in nursing homes who have no family visitors and whose names appear on no prayer list, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

4.That we may be faithful to what we know is right this Lent even when the cost of that faithfulness becomes clear, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

5.That our parish may be known for its care of the elderly and isolated, reaching those who have no one else to turn to, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

Optional:For our sick, bereaved, and all who are struggling in ways we cannot see.Lord, hear our prayer.

That N. and all the faithful departed may now receive from the Father all that they sought in prayer throughout their lives, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

Option 2

1.For Pope Leo XIV, that he may have the wisdom and strength to lead the Church with clarity in a moment of confusion and division, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

2.That civil authorities may establish fair and efficient asylum processes so that refugees are not left in limbo for years, unable to work or begin to rebuild their lives, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

3.For those who are in debt beyond their ability to repay and who wake each morning to the crushing weight of what they owe, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

4.That we may treat those around us as we wish to be treated and not only as circumstances allow or convenience permits, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

5.That our community may support families going through difficulty and not leave them to struggle alone, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

Optional:For a spirit of generous intercession for others within our Lenten prayer.Lord, hear our prayer.

That N. and all who have died may receive the mercy they asked for and the peace they were promised, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

Pro Life Option

1.That the Church may knock persistently at the heart of God this Lenten season in prayer for every unborn child who has no one to speak for them, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

2.That legislators may protect unborn children by closing legal loopholes that permit late-term abortion, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

3.For newborn babies abandoned at birth who begin their lives without the comfort of a mother's presence, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

4.That we may speak about the unborn with the same urgency and sorrow as we speak about any other vulnerable life that is under threat, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

5.That our parish may support the work of adoption and foster care, making it easier for families to say yes to children who need a home, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

Optional:For all who advocate for the unborn through prayer, counselling, and legislative engagement.Lord, hear our prayer.

That N. and all children whose lives were cut short before birth may be gathered into the embrace of the Father who knew them before they were formed, 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"?