Prayers of the Faithful Today
August 23
TWENTY-FIRST SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
Sunday
Liturgical Color: Green
Prayers of the Faithful for the TWENTY-FIRST SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
Option 1
1.That the Church, built on the rock of Peter's faith, may always confess with him: 'You are the Christ, the Son of the living God,' and may stand firm against every force that assails her, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
2.That leaders of nations may build on foundations of truth that comes from above, and not merely on the shifting ground of popular opinion or human ideology, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
3.For those whose faith has been shaken by trial, scandal, or doubt, that Christ may be their rock—the one on whom the Church stands secure and immovable, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
4.That we may hear Christ's question to us today: 'But who do you say that I am?'—and answer with Peter's boldness: 'You are the Christ, the Son of the living God,' let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
5.That our parish, gathered around the successor of Peter, may be a living confession of Christ's identity, proclaiming His name in word and deed, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
Optional:For Pope Leo XIV, successor of Peter, that he may exercise the keys of the kingdom with wisdom, mercy, and faithfulness.Lord, hear our prayer.
That N. and all who confessed Christ in life may now behold the living God face to face in eternal light, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
Option 2
1.For Pope Leo XIV, who holds the keys of the kingdom, that he may bind and loose with the wisdom of the Holy Spirit, feeding the flock with truth and mercy, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
2.That all peoples may come to recognize Jesus not merely as a great teacher or prophet, but as the Christ, the Son of the living God, in whom alone is salvation, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
3.For those who are still asking 'Who is Jesus?'—seekers, doubters, and those raised without faith—that the Father may reveal His Son to them as He revealed Him to Peter, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
4.That we may receive our faith not merely from flesh and blood but from the heavenly Father, surrendering to the gift of revelation and building our lives on Christ the Rock, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
5.That our parish may be a community upon which the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail, sustained by prayer, the sacraments, and fidelity to Peter's successor, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
Optional:For unity among Christians, that all may be gathered around the one foundation that Christ has laid.Lord, hear our prayer.
That N. and all who have died may enter the kingdom whose keys Christ entrusted to Peter and his successors, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
Alternate Prayers of the Faithful for the TWENTY-FIRST SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
Option 1
1.That the Church may never cease to proclaim Christ's true identity—not a prophet, not merely a good man, but the Son of the living God—with clarity and courage before every generation, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
2.That leaders of nations may acknowledge a truth that no flesh and blood can reveal: that there is a divine law above every human law, and a King before whom every ruler must give account, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
3.For those who are confused about who Jesus is, misled by false teachers or indifferent culture, that the Father may open their hearts to the revelation of His Son, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
4.That we may be blessed as Peter was blessed—receiving our faith not from mere human wisdom but from the Father above—and build our entire lives on this unshakeable foundation, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
5.That our parish may exercise the ministry of the keys—binding and loosing, forgiving and restoring—so that no one remains locked out from the grace of God, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
Optional:For catechumens and all preparing to profess faith in Christ, that their confession may be deep and lasting.Lord, hear our prayer.
That N. and all who confessed Christ in life may now behold face to face the Son of the living God they professed, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
Option 2
1.For Pope Leo XIV and all bishops, heirs of Peter's ministry, that they may guard and hand on the faith with the courage of those who know the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
2.That all nations may come to know Jesus as Lord, and that the Church may carry His name to every people as the one answer to humanity's deepest questions, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
3.For those who have drifted from the Church or are uncertain about Christ, that they may return to the rock and find in Him the security and truth they are seeking, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
4.That we may join our personal confession to Peter's: 'You are the Christ, the Son of the living God,' and let that confession shape every decision and relationship in our lives, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
5.That our parish may stand firm in faith as a community that cannot be overcome, because it is built not on human strength but on Christ the Rock whom the Father revealed, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
Optional:For those who feel isolated or abandoned in their faith, that the Church built on rock may be their shelter.Lord, hear our prayer.
That N. and all who have died may enter the eternal kingdom whose gates stand open to all who confessed the Son of the living God, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
How to Use These Prayers
- Choose your option: Select from the available prayer options based on your celebration.
- Customize if needed: Click "Edit" to adapt the prayers to your parish's specific needs.
- Download: Click "Download PDF" to get a printable version.
- Use during Mass: Have a lector read each intention, with the congregation responding "Lord, hear our prayer."
About Prayers of the Faithful
The Prayers of the Faithful, also known as bidding prayers or general intercessions, are an essential part of the Catholic Mass. These prayers allow the congregation to intercede for the needs of the Church, the world, those in authority, those oppressed by various needs, the local community, and the deceased.
Our daily prayers are carefully crafted according to the liturgical calendar, ensuring that each day's intercessions are appropriate for the specific celebration, whether it be a solemnity, feast, memorial, or ordinary day of the liturgical year.
Features:
- ✓ Updated daily according to the liturgical calendar
- ✓ Multiple options for each day
- ✓ Editable prayers to fit your parish needs
- ✓ PDF downloads for easy printing
- ✓ Liturgical colors and rankings displayed
- ✓ Free to use for all Catholic communities