Find My Charism
Remembering a need
You keep a person or situation in prayer beyond the moment when you first heard about it.
Intercession
Sustaining prayer for the needs of others and the wider community.
Wondering how this gift may show up in your life? Discover your charisms →
Understanding Intercession
Intercession means praying for someone else. Through this gift, the Holy Spirit helps someone remember people’s needs and keep bringing them to God, even when an answer takes time or remains unseen. This prayer joins in Jesus’ own prayer for us before the Father. It grows from love and can reach beyond friends and family to strangers, people who suffer, and even those who have hurt us.
Where you may recognize it
Consider the relationships and responsibilities already part of your life.
During the ordinary day
You bring someone before God while working, traveling, or pausing between tasks.
Praying together
You help a group pray for people’s needs, including the needs of those beyond its own circle, while respecting what has been shared in confidence.
Holding up Moses’ hands
The image at the top of this page shows Aaron and Hur supporting Moses’ hands as he prays during the battle. They remain beside him when he grows tired.
Meanwhile Aaron and Hur supported his hands, one on one side and one on the other…
Moses’ raised hands express dependence on God, while Aaron and Hur help him persevere. Christian intercession shares in Christ’s prayer for others. It seeks God’s will and their true good; it is not a method for controlling God or ensuring that our side wins.
More Scripture & Church teaching
1 Corinthians 12:4–11, 27–31
Paul describes a variety of gifts from the same Spirit, given for the benefit of the whole body.
Catechism 799–801
Charisms are gifts of the Holy Spirit for building up the Church and serving others. Love is their measure, and their discernment includes the guidance of the Church’s pastors.
Catechism 2634–2636
Intercession follows the prayer of Christ and extends to the needs of all people.
Intercession in service of others
These ministries and programs may offer ways to serve through Intercession. Speak with parish staff about where help is needed, how to prepare, and the parish’s volunteer process.
Prayer ministry
Join the parish’s prayer for the needs of its members and the wider community.
Prayer shawls, blankets and handmade gifts
Use sewing, knitting, quilting or other handwork to make requested items that express the parish’s care. Prayer-shawl and blanket ministries often combine practical work with prayer for the recipient.
Prison ministry and support
Share Christ’s love with people in prison and their families through an established ministry. Kairos offers both prepared team roles and outside support such as prayer, baking, artwork and meals.
Resources for learning and preparation
-
FORMED — Augustine Institute
Catholic studies, films and talks for individuals and groups. The Search introduces the faith, while Symbolon explores Catholic belief and life. Ask whether your parish provides access.
As you discern
Bring these experiences to prayer, Mass and the sacraments, and conversation with a priest or trusted guide in the faith. Look over time for love of God and neighbor, faithfulness to Church teaching, and the good of those you serve. Joy, difficulty, and others’ feedback can help you recognize patterns. Attend to faithful prayer for others when the outcome remains hidden and to the love that grows through it. If no example comes to mind, begin with the experience suggested below.
Whose need have you kept bringing to God without news or a visible answer, and what has helped you remain faithful?
How has praying for someone changed the way you love them, especially when their choices or hopes differ from yours?
Something to try: Carry one person’s intention in your regular prayer for several weeks, respecting anything shared in confidence. Notice what helps you persevere and how your love for them changes. If appropriate, ask what practical support they would welcome without requiring updates about the outcome.
Bring this to prayer
Saint Gemma Galgani
Come, Holy Spirit. Teach me to carry the needs of others in prayer.
Keep me faithful when I cannot see the fruit, and let my prayer deepen my love for those I remember.
Saint Gemma Galgani, pray for me.
Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Gemma was a young laywoman from Lucca, Italy, whose life included illness, the loss of her parents, and deep devotion to Christ’s Passion. While living with a family who welcomed her into their home, she brought the needs of others to God in prayer, especially those far from him. Her life shows intercession as faithfully seeking another person’s good through prayer.
More about her life ↗