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

Wednesday, April 1, 2026

Wednesday of Holy Week

·Ferial

Liturgical Color: Violet

General Intercessions for Wednesday of Holy Week

Option 1

1.For the Church, that as she stands at the threshold of the Sacred Triduum she may enter with the dispositions of those disciples who stayed close to Christ even when the darkness gathered, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

2.That world leaders may resist the temptation to betray the common good for private gain, refusing to sell truth and justice for political advantage, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

3.For those who feel trapped in a sequence of decisions that have taken them somewhere they never intended to go, that they may believe it is still not too late to turn back to Christ, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

4.That we may honestly name before God the ways in which we have denied or betrayed Him in our daily lives, and receive His mercy with open hands, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

5.That our parish may walk together through the Sacred Triduum with attentive and open hearts, entering into the mystery of what Christ endured for love of us, 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.

Option 2

1.For the Church, that this Holy Week she may fix her gaze on Christ alone and refuse to be drawn away by comfort or fear, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

2.That those who hold the levers of power may never use their authority to condemn the innocent for political gain, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

3.For those who have been abandoned by their community — cast out, shamed, or left to face their troubles alone — that they may know God does not abandon them, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

4.That this Holy Week we may ask ourselves honestly: is it I, Lord? — and bring our answer humbly to the feet of Christ, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

5.That our parish, in these final hours before the Triduum begins, may surrender everything to Christ who surrendered everything for us, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

Optional:For a spirit of humble self-examination as we approach the Sacred Triduum.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 clarity and courage, refusing to negotiate away the lives of the unborn as Judas negotiated away the life of Christ, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

2.That lawmakers may never be complicit in legislation that treats human life as a commodity to be weighed and discarded, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

3.For unborn children whose lives are being weighed against cost, convenience, or social pressure — bargained away in private — that God may raise up a protector for each one, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

4.That we may not be bystanders to the betrayal of the innocent, but may act when we have the chance to speak, give, or accompany a mother in need, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

5.That our parish may be a community that will never treat any human life as expendable, but honour every child as the image of the God who could not be bought, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

Optional:For all who work to protect unborn children in this diocese, that they may be sustained by the hope of Holy Week.Lord, hear our prayer.

For N. and all the faithful departed, 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"?