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

Friday, March 27, 2026

Friday in the 5th Week of Lent

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Liturgical Color: Violet

General Intercessions for Friday in the 5th Week of Lent

Option 1

1.For the Church, that the unity Christ prays for — 'I and the Father are one' — may be the standard she holds for unity within herself: one in truth, one in love, one in mission, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

2.That governing authorities may address the root causes of gang violence and organised crime that destroy communities, especially those with the youngest and most vulnerable, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

3.For young men drawn into gang membership who entered seeking belonging and protection but are now trapped by fear and violence, that a way out may open for them, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

4.That we may offer this Friday's penance with our whole heart — not a performance but a real movement of the soul toward God, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

5.That our parish may be a genuine community of belonging for young people, so that destructive groups are not the only answer to their longing for identity and brotherhood, 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 fought the good fight may now rest in Christ's eternal victory, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

Option 2

1.For the Church, that the unity of Father and Son may be the pattern she holds for unity within herself — not uniformity, but the deep communion of love freely given, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

2.That governing authorities may address the isolation of communities cut off from services, infrastructure, and economic opportunity, so that no area is left behind, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

3.For people with no fixed address who cannot access healthcare, social services, or legal support because they have no documented place of residence, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

4.That we may allow this Friday in Lent to be a day of genuine penance — not what is comfortable but what costs us something real, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

5.That our parish this Lenten season may strengthen its bonds of unity — resolving tensions, practising patience, and building the communion that Christ prays for, 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 speak with one voice for the protection of every unborn child — without exception and without apology — as a community united with the Father and Son in the love of the Spirit, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

2.That lawmakers may enforce existing laws protecting the unborn and close the loopholes that allow procedures harmful to unborn children in the later stages of pregnancy, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

3.For women carrying twins or multiples who are pressured to undergo selective reduction, that they may receive honest information and the support to welcome all their children, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

4.That our Friday penance today may be offered for the unborn who have no voice — a small act of solidarity with those who could not speak for themselves, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

5.That our parish may walk with mothers through the full journey of pregnancy and beyond, so that choosing life is always met with community and lasting support, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

Optional:For all who pray and fast for the protection of unborn children.Lord, hear our prayer.

That N. and all innocent children lost to abortion may be freed from darkness and rest in the eternal light of Christ, 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"?