Prayers of intercession are the prayers a congregation offers to God on behalf of others: for the Church, for the world, for the local community, for those who suffer and for those who have died. In Catholic churches they are called the Prayer of the Faithful or the Universal Prayer; in Anglican, Methodist and other churches they are simply “the intercessions”. Below you will find ready-to-use prayers of intercession for a Sunday service, examples for the Church, the world, the sick and others, short and modern versions, seasonal prayers, and a simple guide to writing and leading them.
St. Paul asked the first Christians to pray this way:
I desire therefore, first of all, that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all men:
For kings, and for all that are in high station: that we may lead a quiet and a peaceable life in all piety and chastity.
How prayers of intercession are arranged
Most churches follow the same simple order, which goes back to the early Church. The Catholic Missal lists it as the usual sequence (GIRM 70):
- For the Church: its leaders, its ministers and all believers.
- For the world: those who govern, peace, justice and the needs of the whole earth.
- For those who suffer: the sick, the poor, the lonely, refugees and all in trouble.
- For the local community: the parish, families, and special occasions such as a baptism or a wedding.
- For those who have died.
Each intention ends with a short invitation (“Lord, in your mercy” or “Let us pray to the Lord”), and everyone answers (“Hear our prayer” or “Lord, hear our prayer”).
Prayers of intercession for a Sunday service
Leader: Brothers and sisters, God our Father hears the prayers of his children. With confidence, let us bring before him the needs of the Church and of the world.
- For the Church throughout the world, for our bishops and pastors, and for all who serve in Christ’s name: that we may proclaim the Gospel with joy and live it with courage. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
- For the leaders of the nations and all who hold authority: that they may work for justice, protect the weak and seek lasting peace. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
- For all who are sick in body, mind or spirit, for the lonely, the grieving and the poor: that they may know God’s comfort and our care. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
- For our parish and our town, for our families, friends and neighbours: that we may grow in love and welcome every stranger. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
- For those who have died, especially those we remember today: that they may rest in God’s peace and rise in glory. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Leader: Father, you know our needs before we ask. Hear the prayers we bring you today and the prayers we hold in the silence of our hearts. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
For intercessions written for the readings of each week, see prayers of the faithful for this Sunday and prayers of the faithful for next Sunday.
Prayers of intercession for the Church
- For the Pope, our bishop and all the clergy: that they may be faithful shepherds after the heart of Christ. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
- For all Christians: that we may grow in unity and bear witness together to the love of God. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
- For missionaries and for Christians who are persecuted for their faith: that they may be strong and never lose hope. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
- For those preparing for baptism, confirmation or ordination, and for all who are searching for God: that they may find him. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
- For our own church: that our worship, our welcome and our service may draw others to Christ. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
More: prayers of the faithful for the Church and a prayer for the Church.
Prayers of intercession for the world
- For peace in every place torn by war and violence: that weapons may fall silent and enemies be reconciled. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
- For those who govern the nations: that they may serve the common good with honesty and wisdom. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
- For refugees, migrants and all who have lost their homes: that they may find safety and welcome. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
- For the hungry and the poor: that the riches of the earth may be shared with justice. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
- For the care of creation: that we may be good stewards of the world God has given us. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
More: prayers of the faithful for peace and for government leaders.
Prayers of intercession for the sick
- For all who are ill, in hospital or at home, especially those known to us: that the Lord may give them healing, strength and peace. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
- For those living with chronic illness, disability or pain: that they may never feel forgotten. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
- For those who suffer from anxiety, depression or addiction: that they may find light and support. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
- For doctors, nurses, carers and chaplains: that they may serve with skill and compassion. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
More: prayers of the faithful for the sick and a prayer for the sick.
Prayers of intercession for our community and for others
- For our families: that our homes may be places of patience, forgiveness and joy. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
- For children and young people: that they may grow in faith, wisdom and friendship. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
- For the elderly and the housebound: that they may be visited, valued and loved. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
- For those who are out of work or struggling to make ends meet: that they may find help and dignity. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
- For all who have asked for our prayers, and for those who have no one to pray for them. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Prayers of intercession for the departed
- For all who have died in the peace of Christ, and for those whose faith is known to God alone: that they may share the joy of the resurrection. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
- For those who mourn: that they may be comforted by the hope of eternal life. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
More: prayers of the faithful for departed loved ones.
Simple prayers of intercession
Short petitions for a small group, a school assembly, a home service or a congregation that prefers brevity.
- For the Church, that it may be faithful. Lord, hear us.
- For the world, that it may know peace. Lord, hear us.
- For the sick and the suffering, that they may be healed. Lord, hear us.
- For our community, that we may love one another. Lord, hear us.
- For those who have died, that they may rest in peace. Lord, hear us.
Modern prayers of intercession
Contemporary wording that still follows the traditional order.
- Loving God, we pray for your Church: make us a community that listens, welcomes and acts. We pray to the Lord. Lord, hear our prayer.
- We pray for our world: for places in the news today, for victims of war, disaster and injustice, and for everyone working to help them. We pray to the Lord. Lord, hear our prayer.
- We pray for people who feel alone, overwhelmed or unseen: help us to notice them and reach out. We pray to the Lord. Lord, hear our prayer.
- We pray for our planet, our common home: give us the will to change how we live. We pray to the Lord. Lord, hear our prayer.
- We remember those who have died, and all who miss them. We pray to the Lord. Lord, hear our prayer.
Seasonal prayers of intercession
- Advent: For all who wait in darkness: that the coming of Christ may bring them light and hope. (Advent intercessions)
- Christmas: For families gathered and for those spending Christmas alone: that the Prince of Peace may be born in every heart. (Christmas intercessions)
- Lent: For all who are turning back to God: that prayer, fasting and generosity may renew them. (Lent intercessions)
- Easter: For the newly baptized and for the whole Church: that we may live as people of the resurrection. (Easter intercessions)
- Pentecost: That the Holy Spirit may renew the face of the earth and fill the Church with courage. (Pentecost intercessions)
- Harvest: In thanksgiving for the fruits of the earth, and for all who grow, harvest and share our food.
- Remembrance Sunday: For all who died in war, for veterans and their families, and for peace among the nations. (Remembrance intercessions)
How to write and lead prayers of intercession
- Start from the readings and the news. Let the Sunday readings and the week’s events shape at least one intention.
- Keep the order: Church, world, those in need, local community, the departed.
- Pray for people, not about them. Ask God for something specific (“that they may find safety”) instead of explaining a situation.
- Keep each intention short: one or two sentences that everyone can follow.
- Use one response throughout, and announce it at the start if visitors are present.
- Leave a moment of silence after each intention or before the final prayer.
For a step-by-step guide, see how to write prayers of the faithful.
Responses you can use
- Lord, in your mercy / Hear our prayer.
- Let us pray to the Lord / Lord, hear our prayer.
- Lord, hear us / Lord, graciously hear us.
- We pray to the Lord / Lord, have mercy.
Frequently asked questions
What are prayers of intercession?
They are prayers asking God’s help for other people. In a church service they are the moment when the congregation prays for the Church, the world and those in need. For the meaning and the Bible’s teaching, see what is intercessory prayer.
Are prayers of intercession the same as the prayer of the faithful?
Yes. Catholics call them the Prayer of the Faithful or Universal Prayer; in Britain they are also called the bidding prayers. The form and the order are the same.
Who leads the prayers of intercession?
Usually a lay reader, a deacon or a member of the congregation, while the priest or minister introduces them and says the closing prayer.
How many intentions should there be?
Four to six is typical for a Sunday service.