Pope Francis said this about prayer: “The Lord tells us: ‘the first task in life is this: prayer.’ But not the prayer of words, like a parrot; but the prayer, the heart: gazing on the Lord, hearing the Lord, asking the Lord” (Oct. 8 homily).
Challenging words viz. this post where the prayer of intercession for the pope’s intentions. Rather than thinking the pope is dismissing the prayer of intention, think of his teaching as not merely spending time in prayer bombarding God with words. It is true God knows the needs of the human heart; we also live in relationship with God and therefore it is entirely necessary to ask God —this shows our dependence upon God the Father for all things. A relationship also indicates that we sit and listen to the other. Do we listen to God in prayer? Or do we fill up the time we spend in prayer with words?
The general intention
That governments may foster the protection of creation and the just distribution of natural resources.
The missionary intention
That the Risen Lord may fill with hope the hearts of those who are being tested by pain and sickness.