[step:Construct prime theories that omit a prescribed formula]
We need the following Lindenbaum-style extension fact.
[claim:Prime extension omitting a formula]
Let $\Sigma \subset \operatorname{Form}(\mathcal{L})$ and let $D \in \operatorname{Form}(\mathcal{L})$. If $\Sigma \nvdash D$, then there exists a prime intuitionistic theory $\Gamma$ such that $\Sigma \subset \Gamma$ and $D \notin \Gamma$.
[/claim]
[proof]
Let $\mathbb{N} := \{1,2,3,\dots\}$. Because $\mathcal{L}$ is countable, enumerate all formulas of the form $B \vee C$ as a sequence $(E_n \vee F_n)_{n \in \mathbb{N}}$, where $E_n,F_n \in \operatorname{Form}(\mathcal{L})$, in such a way that every disjunction formula occurs infinitely many times in the sequence. Define an increasing sequence $(\Sigma_n)_{n \in \mathbb{N}}$ of sets of formulas as follows. Set $\Sigma_1 := \Sigma$. Having defined $\Sigma_n$ with $\Sigma_n \nvdash D$, consider the formula $E_n \vee F_n$. If $\Sigma_n \nvdash E_n \vee F_n$, set $\Sigma_{n+1} := \Sigma_n$. If $\Sigma_n \vdash E_n \vee F_n$, we claim that at least one of $\Sigma_n \cup \{E_n\} \nvdash D$ or $\Sigma_n \cup \{F_n\} \nvdash D$ holds.
Indeed, suppose both failed. Then $\Sigma_n \cup \{E_n\} \vdash D$ and $\Sigma_n \cup \{F_n\} \vdash D$. By the [deduction theorem](/theorems/1452) for intuitionistic propositional calculus, $\Sigma_n \vdash E_n \to D$ and $\Sigma_n \vdash F_n \to D$. Since $\Sigma_n \vdash E_n \vee F_n$, [disjunction elimination](/theorems/4625) in intuitionistic propositional calculus gives $\Sigma_n \vdash D$, contradicting the induction hypothesis $\Sigma_n \nvdash D$. Thus choose one of $E_n$ and $F_n$ whose addition preserves non-derivability of $D$, and define $\Sigma_{n+1}$ to be $\Sigma_n$ together with that chosen formula.
Let $\Sigma_\infty := \bigcup_{n=1}^{\infty} \Sigma_n$, and define
\begin{align*}
\Gamma := \{B \in \operatorname{Form}(\mathcal{L}) : \Sigma_\infty \vdash B\}.
\end{align*}
Then $\Sigma \subset \Gamma$, and $\Gamma$ is deductively closed by the transitivity of derivability. Also $D \notin \Gamma$: if $D \in \Gamma$, then $\Sigma_\infty \vdash D$, so by finitariness of intuitionistic proofs there is some $n \in \mathbb{N}$ with $\Sigma_n \vdash D$, contradicting the construction. The theory $\Gamma$ is proper. Indeed, if $\bot \in \Gamma$, then $\Sigma_\infty \vdash \bot$; since intuitionistic propositional calculus derives $D$ from $\bot$ by ex falso, we get $\Sigma_\infty \vdash D$, and finitariness again gives some $n \in \mathbb{N}$ with $\Sigma_n \vdash D$, contradicting the construction.
It remains to prove primeness. Suppose $B \vee C \in \Gamma$. Then $\Sigma_\infty \vdash B \vee C$, so by finitariness there is $n_0 \in \mathbb{N}$ such that $\Sigma_{n_0} \vdash B \vee C$. Choose $m \in \mathbb{N}$ such that $E_m = B$ and $F_m = C$, and replace $m$ by a larger occurrence if necessary so that $m \geq n_0$. Since the sequence is increasing, $\Sigma_m \vdash B \vee C$. At stage $m$, the construction adds either $B$ or $C$ while preserving non-derivability of $D$. Hence $B \in \Sigma_{m+1} \subset \Sigma_\infty$ or $C \in \Sigma_{m+1} \subset \Sigma_\infty$. Therefore $B \in \Gamma$ or $C \in \Gamma$. Thus $\Gamma$ is a proper prime intuitionistic theory omitting $D$.
[/proof]
[/step]