Kitchen Catechism: Prayers
What is an
Intercessory Prayer?
Prayer of petition offered on behalf of other persons and their needs. Such prayer is an expression of the bond of charity that unites the entire Church - on earth, in purgatory and in heaven - in Christ , Who is the first and chief mediator. Thus, in virtue of this bond in Christ, anyone in the Church can and should make intercession for others. After Christ Himself, the chief intercessor is Our Lady, who continually prays for those whom Christ has made her children. The saints are involved throughout the Church as intercessors, offering their prayers to God on our behalf.
In addition, intercessory prayer is a basic form of prayer, both liturgical and private, for every Christian. The communal celebration of the Eucharist, as well as of the other sacraments, normally includes explicit formularies for intercessions.
Copyright © 1991, 1998 by Our Sunday Visitor, Inc., all rights reserved. Visit us on the web at http://www.osv.com.