What is Intercessory Prayer?

On November 26, 2013, Pope Francis issued his first Apostolic Exhortation entitled, The Joy of the Gospel (Evangeli Gaudium). It is a call for each of us to become joy-filled people who strive to live and proclaim the Good News of the Gospel—to be joy-filled evangelizers. It is a must read … no need to purchase a copy if that is not possible. A link can be found at stmarystcatherine.org.

Fr. Ronan wrote a wonderful article about it several months ago, but there is a little section within the exhortation that I wanted to bring to your attention regarding intercessory prayer. I do so because praying for one another, for one another’s intentions, and for other needs such as world peace, peace in families, a cure for cancer, or an end to human trafficking is part of our call to be evangelizers, as Pope Francis points out in Chapter 5, under the section entitled, The Missionary Power of Intercessory Prayer.  Pope Francis states, “One form of prayer moves us particularly to take up the task of evangelization and to seek the good of others: it is the prayer of intercession … when “evangelizers rise from prayer, their hearts are more open; freed of self-absorption, they are desirous of doing good and sharing their lives with others.”

Together we pray prayers of intercession during every Sunday and weekday Mass. Oftentimes, we ask each other to lift someone or something up in each other’s personal prayer. In our Church, we have placed a book in which you can inscribe your intentions. These are remembered in every Mass that is said in the Parish. And they can be included in our own personal prayer, if we choose, bringing us together as one before God. 

The Book of Intentions is located near the piano on a beautiful stand made by Fr. Ronan’s brother-in-law, Brooks. We invite you to participate in this ministry of prayer in the spirit of evangelization.  For as Pope Francis states, “The great men and women of God were great intercessors.  Intercession is like “a leaven in the heart of the Trinity.”   It is a way of penetrating the Father’s heart and discovering new dimensions which can shed light on concrete situations and change them.  We can say that God’s heart is touched by our intercession, yet in reality he is always there first.  What our intercession achieves is that his power, his love and his faithfulness are shown ever more clearly in the midst of the people.”  Please know that your intentions are included in my daily prayer. 

 - Sr. Nancy, SND