What Does “Prayer of the Faithful” Mean in the Bible?
The petitions at Mass, after the Creed, for the Church, the world, those who suffer and the community.
It can mean
- Another name: it is also called the “Universal Prayer.”
- For whom: for the Church, for those who govern, for those who suffer, for everyone and for the salvation of the world.
- Who leads it: the priest begins and ends it. The petitions are short and say what the whole community is asking for.
- The first Christians: devoted themselves to prayer together, with Mary, the mother of Jesus.
Today
We answer, for example: “Lord, hear our prayer.”
Where it appears in the Bible
Acts 1:14
What the Bible says
Acts 1:14
All these were persevering with one mind in prayer with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.
Douay-Rheims Bible (Challoner revision), public domain.
Source: GIRM 69-71