The usual response to the Prayers of the Faithful is “Lord, hear our prayer.” The reader ends each intention with “let us pray to the Lord” or “we pray to the Lord,” and everyone answers together. The Roman Missal does not fix one formula. It asks that the people make the prayer their own, either with a response said together after each intention or by praying in silence (GIRM 71).
Common responses
| The reader says | All answer | Where it is common |
|---|---|---|
| Let us pray to the Lord. | Lord, hear our prayer. | United States, Canada and most English-speaking countries |
| We pray to the Lord. | Lord, hear our prayer. | United States |
| Lord, in your mercy, | hear our prayer. | Britain, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand |
| Lord, hear us. | Lord, graciously hear us. | Ireland and Britain |
| (sung) | Lord, have mercy or Kyrie, eleison | Sung Masses |
All of these are in order. What matters is that everyone knows the response and that it stays the same through the whole set.
Praying in silence
Silence is the other form the Missal names. The reader announces the intention, everyone prays silently for a few moments, and the reader goes on to the next. Many parishes combine the two: a pause after the intention, then “let us pray to the Lord” and the spoken response. One intention is often left entirely to silence: “For the needs we hold in our own hearts.”
Sung responses
The response may be sung, and a deacon or cantor may sing the intentions. A short phrase on one or two notes is enough. Keep to one melody that the congregation already knows, so that visitors can join in.
Responses for the seasons
Some parishes change the response with the season. These are common choices:
- Advent: “Come, Lord Jesus.”
- Lent: “Lord, have mercy.”
- Easter: “Risen Lord, hear our prayer.”
- Funerals: “Lord, hear our prayer,” or “Lord, have mercy.”
When the response is not the usual one, the reader or the priest says it once before the first intention: “Our response today is…”
Responses in other languages
For a bilingual Mass:
- Spanish: “Roguemos al Señor.” / “Te rogamos, óyenos.” (Peticiones para la misa de hoy)
- French: “Prions le Seigneur.” / “Seigneur, écoute-nous.” (Prière universelle du jour)
- Italian: “Preghiamo il Signore.” / “Ascoltaci, Signore.” (Preghiere dei fedeli di oggi)
- Portuguese: “Rezemos ao Senhor.” / “Ouvi-nos, Senhor.” (Orações dos fiéis de hoje)
- German: “Lasst uns zum Herrn beten.” / “Wir bitten dich, erhöre uns.” (Fürbitten für heute)
- Latin: “Te rogamus, audi nos.”
Who chooses the response
The priest directs the Prayer of the Faithful (GIRM 71), so the choice is his, usually made with whoever prepares the liturgy. For a wedding or a funeral, agree on the response with the priest or deacon and print it in the program, so that guests who do not often come to Mass can answer.
Frequently asked questions
Do we say “Amen” after each intention?
No. The people answer each intention with the response, and say “Amen” once, after the priest’s concluding prayer.
Is “Lord, hear our prayer” required?
No. It is the most common response in the United States, but the Missal leaves the wording open.
What does the reader say to invite the response?
Usually “let us pray to the Lord” or “we pray to the Lord” at the end of each intention. See how to read the Prayers of the Faithful.
Do we stand for the response?
Yes. The people stand for the whole prayer (GIRM 71).
Related pages
- What is the Prayer of the Faithful?
- Prayers of the Faithful examples: 50 intentions
- When the Prayers of the Faithful are said at Mass
- Prayers of the Faithful for this Sunday
Your detailed explanation of the various forms of responses in the General Intercessions is enlightening and underscores the importance of active participation in communal prayer. The flexibility in response formats—whether through repeated phrases, silent prayer, or longer responses—allows the congregation to engage deeply and meaningfully in the liturgy. https://prayertimetoronto.com/
Is a response Have mercy on us Lord appropriate for the prayer of the Faithful as well as in the Penitential rRte?