Editing Catholic Mass (section)

=== Universal Prayer===

*the priest will invite the people to join in prayer and the deacon or lay minister (lector) lead prayers for the needs of the Church and the world
** the people will respond to each prayer, "'''Lord, hear our prayer'''"

* just as Jesus God wants us to gather in his name ([https://bible.usccb.org/bible/matthew/18?20 Mt 18:20]: "Where two or three are gathered"), he wants us to pray together, per [https://bible.usccb.org/bible/matthew/18?19 Mt 18:19]:
<blockquote>Again, [amen,] I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything for which they are to pray, it shall be granted to them by my heavenly Father.</blockquote>
* the purpose of the prayer is for intercessions and thanksgivings:
<blockquote>After the homily, which is an exhortation to accept this Word as what it truly is, the Word of God, and to put it into practice, come the intercessions for all men, according to the Apostle's words: "I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all men, for kings, and all who are in high positions." ([https://www.usccb.org/sites/default/files/flipbooks/catechism/342/ CCC 1349] and quoting [https://bible.usccb.org/bible/1timothy/2?1 1 Tim 2:1-2])</blockquote>