Prayer Archive

Prayer Archive

ACTS OF THE THEOLOGICAL VIRTUES AND OF CONTRITION

Acts of the Theological Virtues and of Contrition A partial indulgence is granted to the faithful, who recite devoutly, according to any legitimate formula, the acts of the theological virtues (faith, hope, charity ) and of contrition. Each act is indulgenced.

ACT OF CONTRITION

O my God, I repent with my whole heart of all my sins, and I detest them, because I have deserved the loss of heaven and the pains of hell, but most of all because I have offended you, infinite Goodness. I firmly purpose with the help of your grace, which I pray you to grant me now and always, to do penance and rather to die than offend you again. I purpose also to receive the holy Sacraments during my life and at my death

ACT OF FAITH

O my God, who are infallible Truth and can neither deceive nor be deceived, I firmly believe all that you have revealed and propose to my belief through your holy Church, because you have revealed it. I believe that you are one in nature and three in Persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. I believe that you are the Creator of all things and that you reward the just for all eternity in heaven and punish the wicked for all eternity in hell. I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God made man, that he suffered and died for my sins and rose from the dead in glory, and that it is only in him through the Holy Spirit that eternal life is given to men. I believe in fine all that your holy Church believes. I thank you for having called me to the true faith, and I protest that with the help of your grace I will live and die in this holy faith.

ACT OF HOPE

O my God, trusting in your promises and because you are faithful, powerful and merciful, I hope, through the merits of Jesus Christ, for the pardon of my sins, final perseverance and the blessed glory of heaven.

ACT OF LOVE

O my God, because you are infinite goodness and worthy of infinite love, I love you with my whole heart above all things, and for love of you I love my fellow-men as myself.

ACT OF SPIRITUAL COMMUNION

My Jesus, I believe that you are in the Blessed Sacrament. I love you above all things, and I long for you in my soul. Since I cannot now receive you sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart. As though you have already come, I embrace you and unite myself entirely to you; never permit me to be separated from you.

END OF THE ACTS OF THE THEOLOGICAL VIRTUES AND OF CONTRITION

COME, HOLY SPIRIT

A partial indulgence is granted to the faithful who recite it

Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in them the fire of your love. Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created, and you shall renew the face of the earth. Let us pray. O God, who have taught the hearts of the faithful by the light of the Holy Spirit, grant that in the same Spirit we may be truly wise and ever rejoice in his consolation. Through Christ our Lord. 

Amen.

SOUL OF CHRIST

A partial indulgence is granted to the faithful who recite it

(Anima Christi)

Soul of Christ, sanctify me. Body of Christ, save me. Blood of Christ, inebriate me. Water from the side of Christ, wash me. Passion of Christ, strengthen me. O good Jesus, hear me. Within your wounds, hide me. Separated from you let me never be. From the malignant enemy, defend me. At the hour of death, call me. To come to you, bid me, That I may praise you in the company Of your Saints, for all eternity. 

Amen.

PRAYER AT THE BEGINNING OF THE DAY

A partial indulgence is granted to the faithful who recite it

Almighty God, You have given us this day: Strengthen us with your power And keep us from falling into sin, So that whatever we say or think or do May be in your service and for the sake of your kingdom. We ask this through Christ our Lord.

Amen.

PRAYER FOR THE DAILY OFFERING

O Jesus, through the immaculate heart of Mary, I offer you my prayers, works, joys and sufferings of this day in union with the holy sacrifice of the Mass throughout the world. I offer them for all the intentions of your sacred heart: the salvation of souls, reparation for sin, the reunion of all Christians. I offer them for the intentions of our bishops and of all the apostles of prayer, and in particular for those recommended by our Holy Father this month.

PRAYER FOR DAILY GRACE

Loving Father, You have loved me when I was unlovable. I am so amazingly grateful that I know You and I can experience Your wonderful presence in my life. Give me this day Your grace in how I live my life today. Give me wisdom and gentleness in how I interact with others. Make me pure then peaceable and gentle. May I have a mind that is open to reason and shows mercy. In all of today’s tasks, grant me the wisdom and grace to be sincere and meek. Thank You that You pour out Your grace to me. 

Amen.

PRAYER FOR THE SEVEN GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

O Lord Jesus Christ, Who, before ascending into heaven, did promise to send the Holy Spirit to finish Your work in the souls of Your Apostles and Disciples, deign to grant the same Holy Spirit to me that He may perfect in my soul, the work of Your grace and Your love. Grant me the Spirit of Wisdom that I may despise the perishable things of this world and aspire only after the things that are eternal, the Spirit of Understanding to enlighten my mind with the light of Your divine truth, the Spirit of Counsel that I may ever choose the surest way of pleasing God and gaining heaven, the Spirit of Fortitude that I may bear my cross with You and that I may overcome with courage all the obstacles that oppose my salvation, the Spirit of Knowledge that I may know God and know myself and grow perfect in the science of the Saints, the Spirit of Piety that I may find the service of God sweet and amiable, and the Spirit of Fear that I may be filled with a loving reverence towards God and may dread in any way to displease Him. Mark me, dear Lord, with the sign of Your true disciples ,and animate me in all things with Your Spirit. 

Amen. 

PRAYERS TO ONE’S GUARDIAN ANGEL

A partial indulgence is granted to the faithful who devoutly invoke the care of their guardian Angel with a duly approved prayer (e.g. Angele Dei).

Angel of God, my guardian dear, to whom God’s love commits me here, ever this day be at my side, to light and guard, to rule and guide.

Amen.

PRAYERS TO CHILDREN'S GUARDIAN ANGELS

 humbly salute thee, O thee faithful, Heavenly Friends of my children! I give thee heartfelt thanks for all the love and goodness thou hast shown them. At some future day I shall, with thanks more worthy than I can now give, repay your care for them, and before the whole heavenly court acknowledge their indebtedness to thy guidance and protection. Continue to watch over them, I beseech thee and provide for all their needs of body and soul. Pray, likewise, for me, for my husband, and my whole family, that we may all one day rejoice in thy blessed company. 

Amen.

PRAYERS TO OFFER PAIN

"Lord, please accept this pain and suffering as an offering for my own sins, for the souls in purgatory, for the conversion of my family. Please use this pain and make it something beautiful. Lord, I know you can use this. Please use my pain that I have forgotten to offer up in the past."

PRAYER FOR THE HOUSEHOLD

A partial indulgence is granted to the faithful who recite it

Hear us, Lord, And send your angel from heaven To visit and protect, To comfort and defend All who live in this house.

Amen.

PRAYER FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS

Father, You are the vine and we are the branches. May my grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren and those further in the future realize their need for you. May pride not garner control of their decisions, but I pray they will remain in You. May they bear much fruit, realizing that truly, they can do nothing apart from You. May they have such an incredible dependency on You, Almighty God, a faith bearing much spiritual fruit, that others see and believe due to it.

Amen.

Prayer for the Family

Loving creator, author of life, we thank you for our special role in family life and for the gift we share with you in creating others in your own image and likeness. Life is so precious and so beautiful, mingling souls in so many mysterious and satisfying ways. May our human love and friendship reflect your own divine love. May we and our children be committed to being fully alive to your call and challenge, ever growing in discipleship and friendship with Jesus who alone is the way, the truth, and the life. May we praise you always. May we, without seeming to preach, teach you to our children and to others, not so much by our words as by our example. We ask this through Christ our Lord. 

Amen.

PRAYER FOR THE SICK

Almighty and Eternal God, You are the everlasting health of those who believe in You. Hear us for Your sick servant:

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for whom we implore the aid of Your tender mercy, that being restored to bodily health, he (she) may give thanks to You in Your Church. Through Christ our Lord.

Amen.

PRAYER FOR FRIEND’S HEALING

Dear God, I have a friend who’s now in pain. This is a difficult time for his/her life, so I ask You to be with him/her. Show him/her Your mercy and send forth Your healing hands to him/her. I know, Lord, that no disease is ever too much for You to heal. You shall allow no affliction, whether physical, mental, or emotional, to stay with us forever. I trust in You, God, and Your mighty power to restore my friend’s body and mind back to normal. Thank You also for blessing my friend with skilled doctors to help him/her on his road to recovery. Thank You for giving them intelligent minds and compassionate hearts to serve my friend during his/her time of illness. Continue to anoint them with Your wisdom, God, that they may provide correct diagnoses and prescribe the right medicine. We continue to trust in Your timing, Father God. Continue to work Your restoration through his/her body. Renew his/her strength soon so that he/she may continue to serve You and share Your love with the people around him/her. All these we ask in Your Name, 

Amen.

PRAYER BEFORE FASTING

Heavenly Father, as I begin this time of fasting, I pray that you will fill me with Your grace, and grant me strength and resolution to endure the hunger and discomforts that I may experience during this fast. Keep me strong and alert, Lord. Deliver me from all unwanted thoughts and distractions that would jeopardize my fast. Protect me from temptation and from the Evil One. May this fast lead me to spiritual growth, renewal, and healing. Grant me, Father, the assurance that You will strengthen me during the difficult and challenging times of this fast, and meet me for sweet moments of spiritual growth and surrender. Help me to focus not on what is being taken away, but what I will be gaining as I use this fast as a spiritual discipline. With you leading me, Holy Spirit, I am ready. My God, I offer up this fast to You and to Your glory. May Your mercy be always upon me, a sinner. In Jesus’ name I pray. 

Amen.​

HAIL, HOLY QUEEN

A partial indulgence is granted to the faithful who recite it

Hail, holy Queen, Mother of mercy, Hail, our life, our sweetness, and our hope. To you we cry, the children of Eve; To you we send up our sighs, Mourning and weeping in this land of exile. Turn, then, most gracious advocate, Your eyes of mercy toward us; Lead us home at last and show us the blessed fruit of your womb, Jesus: O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary.

FATIMA PRAYER

O my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell, and lead all souls to heaven, especially those most in need of Thy mercy.

FOR THE INTENTIONS OF THE HOLY FATHER

The condition of praying for the intention of the Sovereign Pontiff (Plenary Indulgence) is fully satisfied by reciting one Our Father and one Hail Mary; nevertheless, each one is free to recite any other prayer according to his piety and devotion.

OUR FATHER

Our Father, Who art in heaven, Hallowed be Thy Name. Thy Kingdom come. Thy Will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. 

Amen.

HAIL MARY

Hail Mary, Full of Grace, The Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now, and at the hour of our death.

Amen.

GLORY BE

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,  world without end.

 Amen.

PRAYER FOR THE SOVEREIGN PONTIFF

A partial indulgence is granted to the faithful who recite it

(Oremus pro Pontifice)

V. Let us pray for our Sovereign Pontiff Pope Francis.

R. The Lord preserve him and give him life, and make him blessed upon the earth, and deliver him not up to the will of his enemies. 

Amen.

 PRAYER IN HONOR OF THE HOLY CROSS

God our Father, in obedience to You Your only Son accepted death on the cross for the salvation of mankind. We acknowledge the mystery of the cross on earth. May we receive the gift of redemption in heaven. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, Who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit one God, forever and ever. 

Amen.

 PRAYER FOR THE PRIESTS

Gracious and loving God, we thank you for the gift of our priests. Through them, we experience your presence in the sacraments. Help our priests to be strong in their vocation. Set their souls on fire with love for your people. Grant them the wisdom, understanding, and strength they need to follow in the footsteps of Jesus. Inspire them with the vision of your Kingdom. Give them the words they need to spread the Gospel. Allow them to experience joy in their ministry. Help them to become instruments of your divine grace. We ask this through Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns as our Eternal Priest.

Amen.

 PRAYER TO SAINT JOSEPH

A partial indulgence is granted to the faithful who recite it 

Blessed Joseph, husband of Mary, be with us this day. You protected and cherished the Virgin; Loving the Child Jesus as your Son, You rescued him from danger of death. Defend the Church, the household of God, Purchased by the blood of Christ. Guardian of the holy family, Be with us in our trials. May your prayers obtain for us the strength to flee from error and wrestle with the powers of corruption so that in life we may grow in holiness and in death rejoice in the crown of victory.

 Amen.

 ST MICHAEL PRAYER 

St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle. Be our defense against the wickedness and snares of the Devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray, and do thou, O Prince of the heavenly hosts, by the power of God, thrust into hell Satan, and all the evil spirits, who prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls. 

Amen.

 PRAYER FOR ST. JOHN OF THE CROSS

Dear St. John of the Cross, pray for me to Jesus and Mary, that I may place all my joy and hope in the passion of my Savior and be led in the path of Divine Love until at last I may rest eternally in His glory. St. John of the Cross, pray for us!

 PRAYER OF ST. TERESA OF AVILA

Let nothing disturb you, Let nothing frighten you, All things are passing away: God never changes. Patience obtains all things Whoever has God lacks nothing; God alone suffices.

PRAYER FOR THE DEAD 

A partial indulgence, applicable only to the souls in purgatory

Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, And let perpetual light shine upon them. May they rest in peace. 

Amen.

PRAYER FOR THE HOLY SOULS IN PURGATORY

According to tradition, St. Gertrude the Great was told by Our Lord that each time she piously recited the following prayer, it would release 1,000 souls (or a vast number) from their suffering in purgatory:  

Eternal Father, I offer You the most precious blood of thy Divine Son, Jesus, in union with the Masses said throughout the world today, for all the Holy Souls in Purgatory, for sinners everywhere, for sinners in the universal Church, for those in my own home, and in my family. 

Amen.

PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING

 partial indulgence is granted to the faithful who recite it

We. Give you thanks For all your gifts, Almighty God, Living and reigning Now and forever.

 Amen.

PRAYER FOR UNBORN BABY AND MOTHER

Dear God, please watch over this unborn child and their mother. May the mother have a healthy pregnancy, and may the baby grow and develop safely in the womb. Please give them both strength, courage, and peace as they prepare for the birth of this new life. 

Amen.

PRAYER FOR A BABY

Father, we pray before You seeking protection for our baby. You gave us this little one for a reason, so we know You have a plan for him/her. Oh Lord,  we pray for our baby’s protection and proper parenting to teach him/her lessons that apply for a lifetime. Thank You for listening to our prayers, God, and In Jesus’ Name, 

Amen.

ACT OF CHARITY 

O my God, I love Thee above all things, with my whole heart and soul, because Thou art all-good and worthy of all love. I love my neighbor as myself for the love of Thee. I forgive all who have injured me and ask pardon of all whom I have injured. 

Amen.

AN ACT OF RESIGNATION 

My Lord God, even now I accept at Thy hands, cheerfully and willingly, with all its anxieties, pains and sufferings, whatever kind of death it shall please Thee to be mine. 

Amen. 

PRAYERS FOR MOURNERS

Lord, List is gone now from this earthly dwelling, and has left behind those who mourn his/her absence. Grant that we may hold his/her memory dear, never bitter for what we have lost nor in regret for the past, but always in hope of the eternal Kingdom where you will bring us together again. We ask this through Christ our Lord.

 Amen.

PRAYERS FOR MOURNERS II

Lord God, you are attentive to the voice of our pleading. Let us find in your Son comfort in our sadness, certainty in our doubt, and courage to live through this hour. Make our faith strong through Christ our Lord,

 Amen.

ACTS OF THE MORAL VIRTUES

A PRAYER FOR THE GIFT OF PRUDENCE

Jesus, artful Master of Parables, Your prudence eluded the hypocrites. Your actions were known before creation, Displaying all the wisdom of Your prudence. Eternity must have attended to minutia. Being prudent in Your best interest, You considered all potential consequences, Securing the outcome of Your earthly life. Grant me the prudence to always be cautious And sensitive to the basic needs of others. Jesus, You have shown great foresight. Prudence truly originates from Your Being. 

Amen.

A PRAYER FOR THE GIFT OF TEMPERANCE

Jesus, You practiced temperance; You were the Model of self-restraint, Never over-indulging in the temporal. My body being the Temple of the Lord, I must treat it with ongoing respect. Self-abuse destroys the body; Be it alcohol, drugs, or excess food. Lord Jesus, bestow fortitude upon me. For my soul to control my body, To practice the virtue of temperance. Jesus, You are the source of my vigor. Through You, all is possible!

 Amen.

A PRAYER FOR THE GIFT OF JUSTICE

Father, you have given all peoples one common origin. It is your will that they are gathered together as one family in yourself. Fill the hearts of mankind with the fire of your love and with the desire to ensure justice for all. By sharing the good things you give us, may we secure equality for all our brothers and sisters throughout the world. May there be an end to division, strife, and war. May there be a dawning of a truly human society built on love and peace. We ask this in the name of Jesus, our Lord.

Amen.

A PRAYER FOR THE GIFT OF FORTITUDE

 Dear God, we ask for your grace to work on developing the Cardinal Virtue of Fortitude. Help us to work hard, and never give up, even while knowing it is very human to be tempted to quit. Help us to persevere toward reaching our goals, especially when they seem so far away. Most of all, Lord, help us to have courage at all times to be persistent in pursuing our goals with determination. In your name, we pray to grow in fortitude while playing for the glory of God.

Amen.

A PRAYER FOR THE GIFT OF HUMILITY

Father God, 

I repent for my self-reliance. I realize that I cannot walk through life without Your help. I ask for Your beautiful gift of humility to penetrate my heart. I lay down my pride and selfishness, and by Your grace, clothe myself in humility that comes from You. Jesus did not consider equality with You a thing to be grasped and emptied Himself of all privileges, He humbled Himself even to the point of dying on the cross for my sins. I want to reflect selflessness to the world, but for me to do that, I know that I need to walk in humility and put my trust in You alone. Thank You for the gift of Your grace to be humble and prefer others above myself. May You be glorified in all that I say and do. In Jesus’ name, 

Amen.

BLESSING BEFORE MEAL

Bless us, Oh Lord, and these thy gifts, which we are about to receive, from thy bounty, through Christ, Our Lord

Amen.

PRAYER FOR THE POWER OF YOUR IMAGINATION

Father, I thank You for the wonderful imagination that You have blessed us with. It is such an awesome gift to be able to use our imaginations to give birth to our dreams and visions. I  pray, Lord, that You will help us to use our imaginations for good and not against ourselves. Help us to recognize the importance of getting a vision of what we want, because if we can't see it before we get it, the enemy will try and discourage us, making us think that it's not coming. Help us, O Lord, to use our imagination to become impossibility dreamers with big visions, have ideas that no one else has, that You have laid out especially for us. I thank You, Lord, that you are able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we can think or imagine. I thank You, Lord that You have great plans for us and You want us to enjoy success. You want us to think big, dream big, and not to limit You. And most important, to have a clear vision of who You are. You, Father, are El Shaddai, the God of more than enough. And You can adequately handle all the needs of all of Your creations without ever running short of supply. Hallelujah. Thank you, Father. If we can imagine it, we can have it, for You will supply it. Praise God. In the name of Jesus. 

Amen.

 NICENE CREED

The Nicene Creed is the defining statement of belief of Nicene or mainstream Christianity and in those Christian denominations that adhere to it. 

I believe in one God, the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all things visible and invisible. I believe in one Lord Jesus Christ, the Only Begotten Son of God, born of the Father before all ages. God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, consubstantial with the Father; through him all things were made. For us men and for our salvation he came down from heaven, and by the Holy Spirit was incarnate of the Virgin Mary, and became man. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate, he suffered death and was buried, and rose again on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead and his kingdom will have no end. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son is adored and glorified, who has spoken through the prophets. I believe in one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church. I confess one Baptism for the forgiveness of sins and I look forward to the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come.

 Amen.

 PRAY BEFORE SERVING

Heavenly Father, we ask your blessing upon us, that we may serve at your altar with reverence, attention, and love, in order to draw others to do the same. We ask this through Christ our Lord. 

Amen.

  The Surrender Prayer

St. Ignatius’ Surrender (“Suscipe”) Prayer shares this greater purpose of the Examen with us:

“Take, Lord, and receive all my liberty, my memory, my understanding, and my entire will, All I have and call my own. You have given all to me. To you, Lord, I return it. Everything is yours; do with it what you will. Give me only your love and your grace; that is enough for me.”