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, March 26, 2026

Thursday in the 5th Week of Lent

·Ferial

Liturgical Color: Violet

General Intercessions for Thursday in the 5th Week of Lent

Option 1

1.For the Church, that she may rest her whole mission in the eternal truth that Christ is Lord — before all time, unchanged by any circumstance — and proclaim this with confidence, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

2.That governing authorities may protect the elderly from exploitation and ensure that old age is treated with dignity and not as a burden to be managed, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

3.For elderly people who live in fear of losing independence, of being forgotten, or of becoming a burden to those they love, that the closeness of God may be known to them, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

4.That we may trust in God's eternal provision — the God who is the I AM is the same God who holds our future in His hands, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

5.That our parish may honour and cherish its elderly members, recognising in them a living link to the faith of the past, 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 eternal presence of the God who knew them before time began, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

Option 2

1.For the Church, that these final days of Lent may bring her to a deeper contemplation — resting not in her own efforts but in the eternal presence of the One who simply is, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

2.That governing authorities may enforce fair pay and just working conditions, especially protecting the most vulnerable workers from exploitation, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

3.For migrant workers who are exploited by employers who know they have no legal recourse, living in fear and unable to seek help, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

4.That this Lent we may sit more quietly before God — not filling the silence with words but allowing the One who is to speak to us, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

5.That our parish this Lenten season may deepen its commitment to justice for workers and support organisations that defend labour rights, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

Optional:For our sick, bereaved, and all who have asked for our prayers.Lord, hear our prayer.

For N. and all the faithful departed, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

Pro Life Option

1.That the Church may hold fast to the truth that every human life, from the moment of conception, has been known and loved by God from before the foundation of the world, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

2.That lawmakers may move toward stronger legal protection for the unborn, acting on what they know of human dignity rather than on what is politically convenient, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

3.For women who have felt compelled toward abortion because the father of their child has abandoned them, leaving them without support at the most critical moment, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

4.That we may have the courage to stand with the defenceless — as Christ stood with the outcast — refusing to condemn but speaking truth with love, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

5.That our parish may be a community where no woman faces a difficult pregnancy alone, because others have committed to stand with her, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

Optional:For all who work to educate others on the dignity of human life from its very beginning.Lord, hear our prayer.

That N. and all innocent children lost to abortion may find justice and peace in God's eternal love, 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"?