Do prayer intentions have to be listed by name?

[jofa]

I’m not looking for opinions. I’m looking for an authoritative answer (but on the Ask An Apologist thread I have not had much luck getting answers yet). So…

I have a prayer intention list at least a hundred names long. Is it better (ie: a more powerful prayer) to name everyone on the list everyday before praying, or is it equally good (powerful) to do as I’ve been doing - that is, saying “for all the intentions on my petitions list”?

Anyone out there have know the answer?

Thanks!

 

[Christy_Beth]

God knows what’s on our hearts. When I have several prayer intentions (or forget someone’s name that I’ve said I’d pray for) I usually just lift them up in prayer. God knows who I mean.

 

[DixitDominus]

One need not mention verbally all his prayer intentions. One can pray a particular prayer (e.g. the Our Father), only calling to mind the intention (or intentions) without actually saying it (or them), and he has prayed for that intention (those intentions). Priests always do this when the celebrate Mass for a particular intention.

 

[teachccd]

God knows every intention that you’ve ever had or will have from all eternity. So, if you ever say to someone, “I’ll keep you in my prayers”, then God knows that when you pray for your intentions you mean that person as well. All prayer that is heard by God is answered in His time and in His will…teachccd

 

[JPUSC]

God knows every intention that you’ve ever had or will have from all eternity. So, if you ever say to someone, “I’ll keep you in my prayers”, then God knows that when you pray for your intentions you mean that person as well. All prayer that is heard by God is answered in His time and in His will…teachccd

So if you’ve ever said to someone in your life, “I’ll keep you in my prayers,” but you forgot about them when you prayed, they still get the benefit of the prayer?

 

[Reepicheep]

So if you’ve ever said to someone in your life, “I’ll keep you in my prayers,” but you forgot about them when you prayed, they still get the benefit of the prayer?

I would think so, so long as you honestly meant to pray for them.
I can see the benefit to listing each name separately: it keeps us in mind of those we wish to pray for, and helps us to be specific about our intentions. But it isn’t necessary, in order for God to hear our prayers.

 

[jofa]

Thanks everyone. Our Lord really convicted me the other day that He delivers according to our faith in Him. He seemed to be telling me to trust a lot more in His love and generosity toward us.

God Bless,
Sandra