Prayers of the Faithful for Children's Masses: 7 Sets

These seven sets of prayers of the faithful are written for Masses with children: school Masses, children’s liturgies of the word, First Communion classes and family Masses. The words are short and simple so that children can read them aloud, and each intention ends with “let us pray to the Lord,” to which everyone answers “Lord, hear our prayer.”

Every set follows the order the Church gives for the intercessions: the Church, the world and its leaders, people in need, and our own community (GIRM 70).

Tips for teachers, catechists and parents

Let the children read. The Church’s Directory for Masses with Children (1973) encourages children to take active parts in the celebration, such as reading the intentions. Give each child one intention.
Practice once. Read the intentions aloud together before Mass, and show readers how to pause before “let us pray to the Lord.”
Print large. Use a large font, one intention per card.
Add a class intention. Children love to add their own: for a sick classmate, a teacher’s new baby, or a grandparent who has died. Keep it to one sentence.
Teach the response. Before Mass, practice “Lord, hear our prayer” with the whole group.
Use the season. In Advent or Lent, choose the set that fits best and add a seasonal intention.

Option 1: A Simple Set for Any Children’s Mass

For the Church, that we may all grow in love for Jesus and share His Good News, let us pray to the Lord.
For children who are poor or hungry, that they may receive the food and care they need, let us pray to the Lord.
For our teachers, parents, and all who care for us, that God may bless them with patience and wisdom, let us pray to the Lord.
For children who are sick or sad, that Jesus may comfort and heal them, let us pray to the Lord.
For our community of young believers, that we may follow Jesus with pure hearts and joyful spirits, let us pray to the Lord.

Option 2: Welcoming Everyone Like Jesus

For the family of the Church, that we may welcome everyone with open arms like Jesus, let us pray to the Lord.
For world leaders, that God may guide them to make choices that protect children, let us pray to the Lord.
For our friends who do not know Jesus yet, that they may come to experience His love, let us pray to the Lord.
For children who feel alone or unloved, that they may discover God’s tender care for them, let us pray to the Lord.
For our parish family, that our love for one another may shine like a bright light for all to see, let us pray to the Lord.

Option 3: For Missionaries, God’s Creation and Families

For the Church, that she may nurture all her children to grow strong in faith, let us pray to the Lord.
For missionaries who teach the faith, that God may bless their work and keep them safe, let us pray to the Lord.
For our planet Earth, that we may take good care of the beautiful world God created, let us pray to the Lord.
For parents seeking employment, that they may find dignified work to support their families, let us pray to the Lord.
For the children in our community, that we may bear witness to Christ by our kindness and joy, let us pray to the Lord.

Option 4: For the Safety and Dignity of Every Child

For the Church, the spiritual family of God’s children, that she may lovingly guide us to heaven, let us pray to the Lord.
For world leaders, that they may protect the rights and dignity of every child, let us pray to the Lord.
For children who face violence or abuse, that God will keep them safe from harm, let us pray to the Lord.
For our parents and grandparents, that God may bless them for their love and sacrifice, let us pray to the Lord.
For our parish community of young disciples, that we may share the good news of God’s love with everyone, let us pray to the Lord.

Option 5: For Children Who Suffer and for Kindness to Classmates

For the Church, our Mother who helps us follow Jesus more closely every day, let us pray to the Lord.
For children who are forced to work or serve as soldiers, that they may be rescued and allowed to live as children, let us pray to the Lord.
For our friends and classmates who are hurt or bullied, that we may be kind and stick up for them, let us pray to the Lord.
For children with disabilities, that they may find the support and care they need to flourish, let us pray to the Lord.
For the young people in our parish, that the joy of friendship with Jesus may fill our hearts, let us pray to the Lord.

Option 6: For Education, Foster Children and Families

For the Church, that she may lovingly teach us to know, love and serve God, let us pray to the Lord.
For leaders in government, that God may inspire them to make laws that protect all children, let us pray to the Lord.
For children who lack access to education, that doors may open to help them learn and grow, let us pray to the Lord.
For foster children and orphans, that they may find loving homes where they are cherished, let us pray to the Lord.
For the families in our parish, that our homes may be filled with Christ’s peace and love, let us pray to the Lord.

Option 7: For Justice, Teachers and Catechists (School Mass)

For the Church, that she may tirelessly share the Good News of Jesus with children everywhere, let us pray to the Lord.
For world leaders, that God may guide them to end the injustice of child labor and trafficking, let us pray to the Lord.
For children who face discrimination because of their race, religion or abilities, that their God-given dignity may be respected, let us pray to the Lord.
For our teachers and catechists, that the Holy Spirit may inspire their words to set our hearts on fire with love for Jesus, let us pray to the Lord.
For our community of young believers, that we may bring the light of Christ to our schools, homes and playgrounds, let us pray to the Lord.

A sample introduction and closing prayer

The priest introduces and concludes the intentions. These samples were written for this guide in words children understand.

Introduction:

Jesus told us to ask our Father for what we need. Let us bring our prayers to him now.

Concluding prayer:

Loving Father, you hear the prayers of your children. Help us to trust you always, and to show your love to everyone we meet. We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Teaching children about the Prayer of the Faithful

Before Mass, you can explain in a few sentences:

At this part of Mass we pray for other people, not only for ourselves.
We pray in a special order: for the Church, for the world, for people who are sick or sad, and for our own parish and school.
When the reader says “let us pray to the Lord,” we all answer together, “Lord, hear our prayer.” That means the prayer belongs to all of us.

For more on this part of Mass, see what is the Prayer of the Faithful? and what is intercessory prayer?

Frequently asked questions

Can children read the prayers of the faithful?

Yes. Children often read the intentions at school and family Masses. Choose confident readers and let them practice.

How many intentions should a children’s Mass have?

Four or five short intentions are ideal. Each set on this page has five.

Can children write their own intentions?

Yes, with an adult’s help. Ask each child to finish the sentence “For…, that…” and choose the best ones. Keep the order of Church, world, people in need and our community.

More prayers for children and schools

Sources

General Instruction of the Roman Missal, 69–71.
Congregation for Divine Worship, Directory for Masses with Children (1973).

Prayers of the Faithful for Children’s Masses: 7 Simple Sets Kids Can Read