The Prayers of the Faithful are the petitions we offer at Mass after the Creed. They lift up the Church, the world, the sick and the grieving.
If you lead them at your parish, you need words that are short, clear and heartfelt. Below are 25 Catholic prayers of intercession you can use as they are. You will also learn how they work and how to write your own.
Table of Contents
What Are the Prayers of the Faithful at Mass?
The Prayers of the Faithful close the Liturgy of the Word. They are also called the universal prayer, general intercessions or bidding prayers. In them, the people answer the Word of God they just heard.
The Second Vatican Council restored this prayer. Sacrosanctum Concilium, article 53 asks for it on Sundays and feasts of obligation. It had faded from the Roman Mass after the fifth century, except for the Good Friday intercessions.
The General Instruction of the Roman Missal (GIRM 69–70), published by the USCCB, sets the order of the intentions:
The needs of the Church
Public authorities and the salvation of the world
Those burdened by difficulty
The local community
The flow is simple. The Presider invites the people to pray. A deacon, cantor, lector or reader announces each petition. The people answer with one common response, or pray in silence. The Presider ends with a closing prayer, and all say “Amen.”
The GIRM says the intentions should be sober, brief and spoken with a wise freedom. That is why short petitions work best.
Here is why this matters in the U.S. A Pew Research Center study found that 20% of U.S. adults identify as Catholic, and about 28% of them attend Mass weekly. Many people hear the Prayers of the Faithful only once a week. Each line has to count.
Prayers of the Faithful Examples for the Church, World and Community
These Prayers of the Faithful examples follow the GIRM order. Each one ends with a response the people can say together.
Prayer is a powerful way to seek God’s guidance and protection in every situation, including journeys near and far. If you or your loved ones are preparing for a trip, explore these prayers for safe travels and divine protection to ask for peace, safety, and God’s guidance throughout the journey.
For the Church and Pope Leo XIV. For our Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV, the first American pope. Give him wisdom, strength and a shepherd’s heart. Lord, hear our prayer.
For bishops, priests and deacons. For all who serve at the altar. Renew their joy and keep them faithful. Lord, hear our prayer.
For missionaries. For missionaries who carry the Gospel to distant lands. Protect them and bless those who support them. Lord, hear our prayer.
For our nation and public leaders. For the president, Congress and every public servant. Give them honesty and a love for the common good. Lord, hear our prayer.
For peace. For an end to war and violence. Turn hearts from hatred toward mercy. Lord, hear our prayer.
For immigrants and refugees. For families who seek safety and a new home. Open our hearts to welcome them. Lord, hear our prayer.
For the poor and hungry. For those who sleep outside or skip meals. Make us generous neighbors. Lord, hear our prayer.
For Christian unity. For all who follow Christ. Heal old divisions and make us one. Lord, hear our prayer.
For respect for life. For the unborn, the elderly and every person in between. Help us honor each life as God’s gift. Lord, hear our prayer.
For creation. For our common home. Teach us to care for the earth, the water and the air. Lord, hear our prayer.
For the persecuted. For Christians and all who suffer for their faith. Give them courage and bring them relief. Lord, hear our prayer.
For military, veterans and first responders. For those who serve and protect. Shield them and comfort their families. Lord, hear our prayer.
For our parish. For our pastor, our staff and every family in this church. Bind us together in love. Lord, hear our prayer.
Catholic Prayers of Intercession for the Sick, Grieving and Families
These prayers of intercession cover those burdened by difficulty, the third part of the GIRM order. Several use different responses, so you can match the liturgical season.
For the sick. For all who are ill in body or mind. Heal them and comfort those who care for them. Lord, hear us.
For the dying. For those near the end of life. Hold them close and bring them peace. Lord, hear us.
For those who grieve. For all who mourn a loved one. Wipe away their tears and give them hope. Lord, hear us.
For the faithful departed. For our relatives, friends and benefactors who have died. Welcome them into your kingdom. Lord, hear us.
For addiction and mental illness. For those fighting a hidden battle. Give them courage, good help and a community that cares. Lord, hear us.
For marriages and families. For couples and parents. Strengthen their love and heal every hurt between them. Lord, hear us.
For children and young people. For students, teens and young adults. Guide them toward truth, friendship and joy. Lord, hear us.
For the elderly and homebound. For those who cannot come to Mass. Send us to visit them, and keep them close to you. Lord, hear us.
Advent prayer. For all who wait in hope this season. Prepare our hearts for your coming. Come, Lord Jesus.
Lent and Easter prayer. For all who journey through Lent, and for catechumens preparing for baptism through RCIA. Lead us to new life with the Risen Lord. Risen Lord, hear our prayer.
Thanksgiving prayer. For our families, our food and our freedom. Teach us to give thanks and to share what we have. Lord, hear our prayer.
For our silent intentions. For the needs we hold in our hearts and speak to you now in silence. Lord, hear our prayer.
FAQs
Here are quick answers to the questions people ask most about the Prayers of the Faithful.
What are examples of prayers of the faithful?
A typical petition is short. One example: “For the sick and the dying, that God will comfort them, we pray to the Lord.” The people answer, “Lord, hear our prayer.” The 25 prayers above are ready-to-use Prayers of the Faithful examples.
What is the Prayer of the Faithful today?
It is the same prayer, offered at Sunday and holy day Mass, with fresh petitions each week. It often names the Pope, world peace, the sick and current events. Many U.S. dioceses and parishes publish weekly sample prayers for their lectors.
What is the purpose of the Prayer of the Faithful?
It lets the people use their baptismal priesthood. They answer the Word of God and pray for the salvation of all. GIRM 69 describes it in just these terms.
How to write a Prayer of the Faithful?
Use these five steps:
Read the Sunday Gospel and note its main theme.
Follow the GIRM order: the Church, the world, the burdened, then the parish.
Begin each petition with “For…” or “That…”.
Keep it to one or two short sentences. Skip abstract ideas.
Choose one clear response, and leave a short pause after each petition.
Also, keep devotional prayers out of this section. The Vatican’s guidance says it is required on Sundays and holy days, and optional on weekdays.
Conclusion
The Prayers of the Faithful give every person in the pew a voice. Short, clear petitions lift up the Church, the world and our neighbors in need. Use the 25 prayers above as they are, or adapt them to your parish and the season.
Abroy Hassan is the founder and writer behind Morning Prayer Hub, where he shares daily prayers and devotionals to help readers begin each day with faith, gratitude, and a quiet mind. He writes with a simple goal: to make prayer feel accessible, personal, and part of everyday life.
