General Intercession

HOLY, holy, holy Lord God of hosts, I am a miserable sinner, humble acknowledge that I am altogether unworthy to offer up any petitions unto Thee; yet since Thou hast commanded us to make prayers and intercessions for all men, in obedience to thy command, and in confidence of Thy unlimited goodness, I commend to Thy mercy and divine providence the wants and necessities of all mankind.

Lord, let is by Thy good pleasure to restore to Thy Catholic Church primitive peace and purity, and to preserve it against the gates of hell.

Particularly, O Lord God, I implore Thy mercy for this sinful nation; for the iniquity of the land is exceeding great; and we have been unthankful under Thy blessings; incorrigible under Thy judgments, and unprofitable under all the means of grace; and what can we expect from Thee, but to drink deep of the cup of Thy wrath? But, O Lord, in the midst of judgment, remember mercy: O be favourable to Thy people, and give us all grace to turn to Thee in weeping, fasting and prayer; and to put a period to our provocations, that thou mayest put a period to our punishment.

Defend, O Lord, the Church of America from all assaults of schism, heresy, or sacrilege; and bless all its bishops, priests and deacons, with apostolic graces, exemplary lives, and sound doctrine.

O let it ever be Thy good pleasure to save and defend the President of these United States; grant him peace, and endue him with all those gifts and graces which may make him a hater of all evil works, and a great promoter of Thy glory. Bless him and all his assistants and counsellors with such a measure of temporal good things, as Thou knowest to be most expedient for them, and crown them at last with eternal glory.

Grant to the Cabinet wisdom from above; to all magistrates, integrity and zeal for religion; to the citizens and people, pious and just, peaceful and obedient hearts; and to the whole nation, healthful, fruitful, and peaceful seasons. To all Jews, Turks, Unbaptised, Atheists and Heretics, give the grace of conversion; to all wicked men and malefactors, timely repentance; to the disconsolate, comfort; to the sick, health; to those who are in pain, ease; to the afflicted, patience; to the hungry, food; to the naked, raiment; to the captive, liberty; and to the oppressed, deliverance.

Thou, who knowest the conditions, desires and wants of all men, suit Thy graces and blessings to our several necessities of soul and body; mercifully hear all our supplications: and those things which, for our unworthiness, we dare not, and for our blindness, we cannot ask, vouchsafe to give us, for the worthiness of Thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.