Unlike the Great Litany, in which petitions are for the whole world, all groups of people in all places, in the Litany of Fervent Supplication the petitions are specifically for people who, either directly or indirectly, are involved in the local church community: the ruling bishop(s), clergy, the civil authorities & armed forces, brother and sister parishioners, the departed of the community, and all who labor for the well-being of the Church. The unique three-fold Lord have mercy responses give this litany its Fervent title, and therefore it is sometimes known as the "Triple Litany."