Prayers of the Faithful Today
February 23
Monday in the 1st Week of Lent [Saint Polycarp, bishop and martyr]
✚Memorial
Liturgical Color: Red
Prayers of the Faithful for Saint Polycarp, bishop and martyr
Option 1
1.That the Church, like Saint Polycarp, may hold fast to apostolic Tradition and proclaim Christ without compromise, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
2.That world leaders may protect religious freedom and defend those who are persecuted for their faith, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
3.For Christians who have been imprisoned because of their faith and face an uncertain future, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
4.That God may give us the courage to name ourselves as Christians in settings where that carries a cost, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
5.That our local community may honor the witness of the martyrs and be inspired to live our faith with conviction and joy, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
Optional:For Christians who face persecution in our world today.Lord, hear our prayer.
That N. and all martyrs who gave their lives for Christ may rejoice with St. Polycarp in the presence of God, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
Option 2
1.For Pope Leo XIV and all bishops, that like St. Polycarp, they may be faithful shepherds, guarding the deposit of faith entrusted to them, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
2.That civil authorities may respect the dignity and freedom of the Church to proclaim the Gospel without fear, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
3.For Christians who, under social or family pressure, have publicly denied their faith and are now living a lie, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
4.That God may give us the strength to choose faithfulness over comfort when the two come into conflict, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
5.For our parish, that it may be a community that does not shrink from naming what it believes, even when that is unpopular, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
Optional:For our sick, bereaved, etc., special projects or events.Lord, hear our prayer.
That N. and all who have died in communion with Christ may be crowned with the glory of the martyrs, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
Variations if Memorial is not celebrated
Option 1
1.That the Church may be a compassionate mother, guiding all her children in the Lenten practices of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
2.That heads of state may take urgent action to address extreme poverty, ensuring that the most destitute nations receive aid without political strings attached, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
3.For families in our neighbourhood who cannot afford food at the end of the month and go to bed hungry, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
4.That God may free us from the resentment we are holding against someone and give us the grace to let it go, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
5.That our parish may live out this Lenten season as a community that genuinely prays for one another by name, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
Optional:For our sick, bereaved, etc., special projects or events.Lord, hear our prayer.
That N. and all the faithful departed may benefit from our Lenten prayers and find eternal rest, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
Option 2
1.For Pope Leo XIV, that he may lead the Church with wisdom and call us to authentic renewal this holy season, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
2.That governing authorities may ensure that the rule of law protects the most vulnerable citizens and is not merely a tool of the powerful, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
3.For those living with chronic pain who have no prospect of relief and can barely hold on from one day to the next, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
4.That our fasting this Lent may teach us something real about our dependence on God rather than just being a hunger we endure, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
5.For our parish, that it may be a community of sincere repentance, fervent prayer, and active charity this Lent, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
Optional:For a spirit of generosity and self-denial to pervade our Lenten observance.Lord, hear our prayer.
That N. and all who have died may be purified by God's mercy and enter into His eternal joy and peace, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
Pro Life Option
1.That the Church, through its Lenten disciplines, may offer powerful intercession for the protection of every unborn child, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
2.That lawmakers may have a conversion of heart, turning from laws that permit abortion and embracing the sanctity of all human life, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
3.For unborn children of mothers in poverty who feel they cannot afford to continue the pregnancy, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
4.That we may be moved to pray and sacrifice specifically for the unborn children who are most at risk this day, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
5.That our local community may intensify its efforts to support pregnant women in need and promote life-affirming alternatives to abortion, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
Optional:For all who fast and pray for an end to abortion and for the unborn.Lord, hear our prayer.
That N. and all innocent children lost to abortion may be gathered into the loving arms of our Father, 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