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, May 8, 2026
Thursday of the 5th Week of Easter
·Ferial
Liturgical Color: White
General Intercessions for Thursday of the 5th Week of Easter
Option 1
1.That the Church may live the commandment Christ repeats at the beginning and end: 'love one another as I love you'—laying down whatever is needed for the sake of her members and the world, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
2.That world leaders may govern not as masters of their people but as friends who lay down their own interests for those they serve, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
3.For those who feel they have never been truly chosen or befriended—the lonely, the overlooked, the marginalized—that they may hear Christ's word: 'I chose you,' and know themselves as his, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
4.That we may live as Christ's friends, not slaves—entrusted with everything he heard from the Father, and appointed to go and bear fruit that will remain in eternity, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
5.That our parish may be known for the love that Christ commands: self-giving, costly, and patterned on the one who laid down his life for his friends, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
Optional:For all whose friendships have been broken or strained, that they may experience healing and renewed love through the grace of Christ.Lord, hear our prayer.
That N. and all the faithful departed may know themselves as the friends Christ chose and appointed—and bear eternal fruit in his kingdom, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
Option 2
1.For Pope Leo XIV, that he may hold before the Church the highest measure of love Christ names: 'no greater love than this, to lay down one's life for one's friends,' let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
2.That all Christian communities may bear lasting fruit in their mission—fruit that remains, as Christ appointed—rooted in the prayer that goes to the Father in his name, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
3.For those who have been used or exploited by others, who have known slavery rather than friendship, that they may encounter in Christ the one who says 'I call you friends,' let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
4.That we may respond to Christ's election—'it was not you who chose me'—with gratitude and mission, bearing fruit in his name rather than for our own glory, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
5.For our local church, that we may measure our love not by what we feel but by what we give—laying down time, comfort, and resources for the sake of those Christ commands us to love, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
Optional:For all in positions of authority or service, that they may serve as friends rather than masters, as Christ commands.Lord, hear our prayer.
That N. and all who have died may be received by Christ as the friends he chose, bearing the eternal fruit he promised, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
Pro Life Option
1.That the Church may embody the command 'love one another as I love you'—offering to every woman in crisis the love of the friend who lays down his life, so that no mother faces her fear alone, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
2.That lawmakers may defend the lives of unborn children as those whom Christ chose and named as friends before birth—protecting them with the greatest love: the willingness to lay down one's comfort for another's life, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
3.For children at risk of abortion—children Christ chose and appointed to bear fruit in the world—that those entrusted with their lives may hear the commandment to love and choose life for them, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
4.That we may lay down something real for the sake of women in unplanned pregnancies—time, resources, and welcome—as Christ laid down his life for his friends, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
5.That our parish may go and bear lasting fruit in the protection of human life, knowing it was Christ who appointed us to this, and that what we ask the Father in his name he will grant, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
Optional:For all who lay down their lives in daily service to mothers and families in need, that Christ's friendship may sustain and reward them.Lord, hear our prayer.
That N. and all unborn children chosen by Christ before the foundation of the world may bear eternal fruit in the Father's kingdom, 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.