Here are six sets of prayers of the faithful for justice. Use them at a Mass for justice and peace, on Martin Luther King Jr. Day (January 18 in 2027), around Labor Day, at a Red Mass for judges and lawyers, or on a Sunday when an injustice is on everyone’s mind. Each set prays for the Church, for those who make and apply the law, and for people who suffer injustice: prisoners and the falsely accused, refugees, victims of trafficking and racism, the unborn, the poor. Every set ends with two optional intentions, for local needs and for the dead.
The sets of intentions in this post contain two optional intentions, labeled I and II. Intention I addresses a local, topical need for the living, while Intention II is for the deceased, with an option to add names if customary.
How to use these prayers
- Choose one set and adapt it; you may swap in an intention from another set.
- Keep it short. Four to six intentions are enough; the Church asks that intentions be “sober” and “succinct” (GIRM 71).
- Fill in names where you see N. or (Names).
- Give the reader a printed copy and agree on the response, usually “Lord, hear our prayer.”
- Pray for people, not for positions. Name those who suffer and those who decide; leave arguments for another setting.
- Choose with your congregation in mind. The sets name abortion, the death penalty, racism and immigration. Take the intentions that your community can pray with one heart.
- Add the place. “For justice in N.” after an event in the news makes the prayer concrete.
Option 1: For Victims of Injustice and Prejudice, Prisoners, Refugees and Migrants
- For our Holy Father, Pope N., that the Lord may grant him wisdom and courage to lead the Church, let us pray to the Lord.
- For government authorities and civil leaders, that they may act with integrity, fairness and a profound respect for the dignity of every human person, let us pray to the Lord.
- That those who have suffered injustice, violence or prejudice because of their race, ethnicity or beliefs may experience healing, protection and have their rights upheld, let us pray to the Lord.
- That prisoners may be treated with respect for their human dignity and have opportunities for reform, redemption and re-entry into society, let us pray to the Lord.
- For refugees and migrants fleeing persecution, war or crushing poverty, that they may find safe harbor and have their God-given human rights and freedoms safeguarded, let us pray to the Lord.
I. (For our sick, bereaved, parish project, events, etc., let us pray to the Lord.)
II. For all the members of our community who have died, especially N. Let us pray to the lord
Option 2: For Just Laws, an End to Human Trafficking and Racism, and the Falsely Accused
- For the holy Catholic Church, that it may continue to be a beacon of truth, love, and justice in the world, let us pray to the Lord.
- For lawmakers, judges and those who shape public policies, that they may be upright in their conduct and motivated by justice, not selfishness or partisanship, let us pray to the Lord.
- For an end to human trafficking, exploitation of workers and unjust business practices that rob the poor and vulnerable of their dignity, let us pray to the Lord.
- For a conversion of heart in those who support racism, racial discrimination and a rejection of all forms of xenophobia and hatred towards others, let us pray to the Lord.
- For those falsely accused or unjustly imprisoned, that they may be vindicated, let us pray to the Lord.
I. (For our sick, bereaved, parish project, events, etc., let us pray to the Lord.)
II. For all the members of our community who have died, especially N. Let us pray to the lord
Option 3: For the Right to Life, Those Who Fight Trafficking and an End to Structural Racism
- For all members of the Church, that we may live our faith with conviction, bearing witness to the love of Christ in our daily lives, let us pray to the Lord.
- For civic leaders and authorities in law enforcement, that they may be people of virtue who apply the law impartially while upholding the inviolable dignity of every person, let us pray to the Lord.
- That the blight of abortion, which violates the sacred right to life, may be overcome through a conversion of hearts and the pursuit of justice for the unborn, let us pray to the Lord.
- For those who work to end human trafficking, slave labor and sexual exploitation, that their tireless efforts may be aided by divine grace, let us pray to the Lord.
- For an end to the structural injustices of racism, both overt and systemic, which erode the unity of the human family and denigrate the divine image in others, let us pray to the Lord.
I. (For our sick, bereaved, parish project, events, etc., let us pray to the Lord.)
II. For all the members of our community who have died, especially N. Let us pray to the lord
Option 4: For Christian Unity, Those Persecuted for Their Faith, Housing and Human Rights
- For the unity of all Christians, that the Lord may heal divisions and bring us together as one flock under the guidance of the Successor of Peter, let us pray to the Lord.
- For public officials and civil servants, that they may put aside partisan interests to pursue the common good through ethical conduct and servant leadership, let us pray to the Lord.
- For those wrongly persecuted for their faith or imprisoned under authoritarian regimes, that they may be freed and have their unalienable rights restored, let us pray to the Lord.
- That all people may have access to safe, affordable housing and be freed from unjust economic policies that lead to housing insecurity and homelessness, let us pray to the Lord.
- For those denied basic human rights due to their ethnicity, religious beliefs or culture, that they may be freed from oppression and prejudice through the light of truth, let us pray to the Lord.
I. (For our sick, bereaved, parish project, events, etc., let us pray to the Lord.)
II. For all the members of our community who have died, especially N. Let us pray to the lord
Option 5: For Those in Power, an End to the Death Penalty and Fair Trade
- That the Church may be faithful in announcing Christ’s message of justice and liberation from all forms of oppression that violate human dignity, let us pray to the Lord.
- For those in positions of power and influence over society, that they may use their authority to uphold what is right and provide legal protections for the vulnerable, let us pray to the Lord.
- That efforts to abolish the death penalty may progress, in order to uphold the inviolable sanctity of all human life and the possibility of redemption, let us pray to the Lord.
- That economic and trade policies may be rooted in justice and fairness so that developing nations have opportunities to flourish and all workers receive a living wage, let us pray to the Lord.
I. (For our sick, bereaved, parish project, events, etc., let us pray to the Lord.)
II. For all the members of our community who have died, especially N. Let us pray to the lord
Option 6: For an End to Child Labor, the Poor and Justice for the Environment
- For the Church, that she may boldly unmask injustice and give voice to the cry of the oppressed and the vulnerable in our world, let us pray to the Lord.
- For civil and military leaders, that God may grant them wisdom to resolve conflicts through dialogue and negotiation rather than armed force, upholding human rights and the dignity of all, let us pray to the Lord.
- That companies exploiting child labor or using sweatshops may be brought to justice, let us pray to the Lord.
- For the poor and marginalized who suffer injustice because of their economic circumstances, lack of legal protections or unequal access to education and social services, let us pray to the Lord.
- That the global community may unite in pursuing environmental justice for the world’s poor who bear the greatest impacts of climate change and environmental degradation, let us pray to the Lord.
I. (For our sick, bereaved, parish project, events, etc., let us pray to the Lord.)
II. For all the members of our community who have died, especially N. Let us pray to the lord
A sample introduction and closing prayer
The priest introduces and concludes the intentions (GIRM 71). These samples were written for this guide; the celebrant may use his own words.
Introduction:
Brothers and sisters, the Lord loves justice and hears the cry of the poor. Let us pray to him for the Church, for those who govern and for all who are wronged.
Concluding prayer:
God of justice and mercy, you defend the weak and lift up the lowly. Hear our prayers, change what is unjust among us, and make us hunger and thirst for what is right. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a Mass for justice?
Yes. Among its Masses for various needs the Roman Missal has one for the preservation of peace and justice. It may be used on weekdays when the calendar allows.
What is a Red Mass?
A Mass celebrated each year, usually in the autumn, for judges, lawyers and public officials, asking the guidance of the Holy Spirit. See the patron saints of lawyers.
May the prayers of the faithful mention political issues?
They may pray for the people affected and for those who must decide, in words the whole assembly can make its own. They should not argue for a party, a candidate or a bill.
Who is the patron saint of justice?
See the patron saints of justice.
Related prayers
- Prayers of the Faithful for peace
- Prayers of the Faithful for our country
- Prayers of the Faithful for leaders
- Prayers of the Faithful for Respect Life Sunday
- Prayers of the Faithful for the pro-life cause
- Patron saints of justice
- Patron saints of lawyers
- Prayers of the Faithful for this Sunday
Sources
- General Instruction of the Roman Missal, 69–71.
- Roman Missal, Masses and Prayers for Various Needs and Occasions: For the Preservation of Peace and Justice.