Examples and templates
Examples of Prayers of the Faithful
A useful example shows the whole prayer, not just isolated petitions. The set below includes an introduction for the priest, six short intentions for the reader, the people’s response, and a conclusion for the priest. It is a general example for adaptation, with no claim to match a particular day’s readings. Read it aloud once, then change a local need or choose a more specific occasion page. Bidding prayers and general intercessions are familiar names for the same part of Mass; you do not need separate versions simply because the name differs.
THE UNIVERSAL PRAYER
Examples of Prayers of the Faithful
PRIEST · INTRODUCTION
Trusting in the care of our heavenly Father, let us pray for the needs of the Church and the whole world.
Lord, hear our prayer.
For the Church in every nation, that God may sustain her faith and bless all who serve his people.
We pray to the Lord.
For those entrusted with public authority, that the Lord may grant wisdom and guide their work for peace.
We pray to the Lord.
For people living with illness, hunger, or fear, that God may bring relief and the support they need.
We pray to the Lord.
For those facing difficult decisions today, that the Lord may give them courage and a clear way forward.
We pray to the Lord.
For our departed relatives and friends, that God may forgive their sins and receive them into everlasting peace.
We pray to the Lord.
For this parish and the needs we hold in our hearts, that the Lord may strengthen our hope and love.
We pray to the Lord.
PRIEST · CONCLUDING PRAYER
Loving Father, receive our prayers. Bring help to those in need and keep us faithful in your care. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Click or tap any prayer text to edit. Your changes stay on this device.
Short prayers of the faithful
Shortness comes from making one request clearly. An intention can name the people in need and ask for a specific grace in a single sentence. The response is separate, giving the congregation a familiar way to join the prayer.
Bidding prayer examples and universal prayer examples
These terms describe the same prayer in common Catholic usage. Choose wording that suits your parish, while retaining the ordinary sequence from wider Church and world needs toward the local community.
Adapt an example to the occasion
For a wedding, funeral, school Mass, or sacramental celebration, begin with the matching page below. A suitable set should include the occasion without making every petition repeat its theme.
Examples by celebration
PRACTICAL GUIDANCE
Preparing these prayers.
Is an example a fixed text that cannot be edited?
No. The ordinary intentions can be composed and adapted prudently. Keep the communal character and brevity described in GIRM, and respect any prescribed texts belonging to a particular rite.
How short should each petition be?
Aim for one clear sentence. This site generally drafts short English petitions of about twelve to twenty-six words before the invitation and response; that word range is an editorial guide, not a GIRM rule.
Can I use just one example petition?
Yes, within a well-prepared complete set. Check that the final prayer still includes the Church, the world, people in difficulty, and the local community.
