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Prayers of the Faithful for Monday, March 23, 2026

March 23

Monday in the 5th Week of Lent

Lenten Weekday
Liturgical Color: Violet

The Universal Prayer (Prayers of the Faithful, or General Intercessions) for this Mass: choose a set below, then edit, copy or download it as a PDF.

Prayers of the Faithful for Monday in the 5th Week of Lent

Introduction (priest): In this season of grace, let us turn to the Lord with all our heart and pray for the Church and the world.

Concluding prayer (priest): Merciful Father, hear the prayers of your people who return to you. Forgive us, renew us and lead us to Easter joy. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Option 1

1.For the Church: that she may reflect Christ's mercy toward all who feel condemned, offering welcome rather than judgment, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
2.That governing authorities may reform criminal justice to prioritise rehabilitation and human dignity, recognising that people can change, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
3.For those who carry public shame — whose failures have been exposed or broadcast — and who find no way to escape judgment, that mercy may reach them, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
4.That we may hear Christ's words 'Neither do I condemn you' addressed to us personally, and let them free us from self-condemnation as well, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
5.That our parish may be a community where those who have failed receive mercy before they receive judgment, 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, received by God's mercy, may now rejoice in His eternal forgiveness, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

Option 2

1.For the Church: that she may lead her people to Reconciliation this Lent, where God's mercy brings true freedom, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
2.That governing authorities may address the poverty, addiction, and social exclusion that drive people toward crime and despair, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
3.For those on probation or parole who are rebuilding their lives, but find doors closed to them because of their past, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
4.That we may approach the sacrament of Reconciliation this Lent with the trust of one who expects mercy, not condemnation, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
5.That our parish this Lenten season may be a community of second chances, refusing to hold past failures against those who seek to begin again, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
Optional:For our sick, bereaved, and all who have asked for our prayers.Lord, hear our prayer.
For N. and all the faithful departed, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

Pro Life Option

1.That the Church may speak to women in crisis pregnancies as Christ spoke to the woman in the Gospel — without condemnation, with mercy and with truth, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
2.That lawmakers may address the poverty and social exclusion that make abortion feel unavoidable for women without support, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
3.For women who feel condemned by their circumstances and see abortion as the only way to escape judgment or abandonment, that they may encounter real mercy and real help, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
4.That we may examine whether we have added to the burden of women in difficult pregnancies by our judgment rather than our mercy, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
5.That our parish may be a place of genuine welcome for women in unexpected pregnancies, where mercy and practical help come before instruction, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
Optional:For all who work in crisis pregnancy centres, offering help and hope to those in need.Lord, hear our prayer.
That N. and all innocent children lost to abortion may drink from the eternal springs of salvation in God's kingdom, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

Community Prayer Intentions

Pray with other churches and include shared intentions in your prayers of the faithful.

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How to Use These Prayers

  1. Choose your option: Select from the available prayer options based on your celebration.
  2. Customize if needed: Click "Edit" to adapt the prayers to your parish's specific needs.
  3. Pray with others: Add approved community intentions to your prayers before downloading.
  4. Download: Click "Download PDF" to get a printable version.
  5. 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