The Scriptures command us:
"First of all, then, I ask that supplications, prayers, petitions, and thanksgivings be offered for everyone, for kings and for all in authority, that we may lead a quiet and tranquil life in all devotion and dignity. This is good and pleasing to God our Savior, who wills everyone to be saved and to come to knowledge of the truth." (1 Timothy 2:1-4)
The General Instruction of the Roman Missal which regulates the celebration of the Mass in the Catholic Church states:
"In the General Intercessions or the Prayer of the Faithful, the people respond in a certain way to the word of God which they have welcomed in faith and, exercising the office of their baptismal priesthood, offer prayers to God for the salvation of all. It is fitting that such a prayer be included, as a rule, in Masses celebrated with a congregation, so that petitions will be offered for the holy Church, for civil authorities, for those weighed down by various needs, for all men and women, and for the salvation of the whole world." (#69; emphasis added)
This statement focuses upon an important aspect of the General Intercessions: it is done by the Baptized as a function of their baptismal priesthood. In Heaven "Christ permanently exercises his priesthood, for he ‘always lives to make intercession’ for ‘those who draw near to God through him."(Catechism #662 quoting Hebrews 7:25) Christians also share in Christ’s Priestly Intercession, both in the Liturgy and in private prayer.
In the Sunday Mass, especially, the General Instruction #70 states: "The series of intentions is usually to be:
a. For the needs of the Church;
b. For public authorities and the salvation of the whole world;
c. For those burdened by any kind of difficulty;
d. For the local community."
It is customary that the final petition of the General Intercessions be for the deceased; this may include the names of those who are recently deceased in the parish.
It cannot be said enough that mentioning anyone in general or by name in the Intercessions is not meant to honor that group or person. Jesus after all said to pray for our enemies! It was once reported to me that a man stormed out of Mass because we had prayed for President Obama at the time of Intercessions. He obviously thought this was honoring a President he didn’t agree with, rather than fulfilling the mandate of the General Instruction of the Roman Missal to pray for civil authorities. Besides, what we are praying for is that God’s will be done in all things and in all people. As such we can pray for anyone in need of God’s help, conversion, or correction, whoever they may be.
Not every need can be prayed for every Sunday. This is a challenge because so much can occur in the world and keeping up with every critical situation is difficult. At Holy Faith silence is observed in the final Intercession to include any intention personal to us or not already mentioned.
At the conclusion of the General Intercessions, the Priest prays a prayer which sums up the Intercessions, a Collect. This concludes the Liturgy of the Word.
Next Week: The Liturgy of the Eucharist
