Prayers
- For those interested in using traditional prayers -
There are many great prayers used throughout the past two millennia. When praying them, you can know that Christians from ages past found comfort and solace in them, and in offering them up for their loved ones and others.
You can personalize them to the people you intend to pray for. For example, "Have mercy on us" could become "Have mercy on them". "Jesus, save Your people" could become "Jesus, save my neighbor". God knows who you are praying for, but it can help to personalize the prayers, as a way of identifying them as someone God desires to save and help.
Litanies are a great way to pray with another, since it has two parts to each line, so if you are praying with another, one person can say the first part, and the other person the second part. It is a beautiful way to participate in group prayer for others. For the Litanies, I've put a dash " - " between the first and last part of the line, since phones and laptops can display text differently.
[Just hit the down arrows next to the name of the prayers to expand to see the full text.]
Litanies
Lord, have mercy- Lord have mercy.
Christ, have mercy- Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy- Lord, have mercy.
God our Father in heaven- have mercy on us.
God the Son, Redeemer of the world - have mercy on us.
God the Holy Spirit- have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, one God- have mercy on us.
Jesus, Son of the living God - have mercy on us.
Jesus, splendor of the Father - have mercy on us.
Jesus, brightness of everlasting light - have mercy on us.
Jesus, king of glory- have mercy on us.
Jesus, dawn of justice- have mercy on us.
Jesus, Son of the Virgin Mary - have mercy on us.
Jesus, worthy of our love- have mercy on us.
Jesus, worthy of our wonder - have mercy on us.
Jesus, mighty God- have mercy on us.
Jesus, father of the world to come - have mercy on us.
Jesus, prince of peace- have mercy on us.
Jesus, all-powerful- have mercy on us.
Jesus, pattern of patience- have mercy on us.
Jesus, model of obedience- have mercy on us.
Jesus, gentle and humble of heart - have mercy on us.
Jesus, lover of chastity- have mercy on us.
Jesus, lover of us all- have mercy on us.
Jesus, God of peace- have mercy on us.
Jesus, author of life- have mercy on us.
Jesus, model of goodness- have mercy on us.
Jesus, seeker of souls- have mercy on us.
Jesus, our God- have mercy on us.
Jesus, our refuge- have mercy on us.
Jesus, father of the poor- have mercy on us.
Jesus, treasure of the faithful - have mercy on us.
Jesus, Good Shepherd- have mercy on us.
Jesus, the true light- have mercy on us.
Jesus, eternal wisdom- have mercy on us.
Jesus, infinite goodness- have mercy on us.
Jesus, our way and our life - have mercy on us.
Jesus, joy of angels- have mercy on us.
Jesus, king of patriarchs- have mercy on us.
Jesus, teacher of apostles- have mercy on us.
Jesus, master of evangelists - have mercy on us.
Jesus, courage of martyrs- have mercy on us.
Jesus, light of confessors- have mercy on us.
Jesus, purity of virgins- have mercy on us.
Jesus, crown of all saints- have mercy on us.
Lord, be merciful- Jesus, save your people.
From all evil- Jesus, save your people.
From every sin- Jesus, save your people.
From the snares of the devil - Jesus, save your people.
From your anger- Jesus, save your people.
From the spirit of infidelity - Jesus, save your people.
From everlasting death- Jesus, save your people.
From neglect of your Holy Spirit - Jesus, save your people.
By the mystery of your incarnation - Jesus, save your people.
By your birth- Jesus, save your people.
By your childhood- Jesus, save your people.
By your hidden life- Jesus, save your people.
By your public ministry- Jesus, save your people.
By your agony and crucifixion - Jesus, save your people.
By your abandonment- Jesus, save your people.
By your grief and sorrow- Jesus, save your people.
By your death and burial- Jesus, save your people.
By your rising to new life- Jesus, save your people.
By your return in glory to the Father - Jesus, save your people.
By your gift of the holy Eucharist - Jesus, save your people.
By your joy and glory- Jesus, save your people.
Christ, hear us- Christ, hear us.
Lord Jesus, hear our prayer - Lord Jesus, hear our prayer.
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world - have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world - have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world - have mercy on us.
Let us pray.
Lord, may we who honor the holy name of Jesus
enjoy His friendship in this life
and be filled with eternal joy
in the kingdom where He lives and reigns
for ever and ever. Amen.
Lord, have mercy- Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy- Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy- Lord, have mercy.
God our Father in heaven- have mercy on us.
God the Son, Redeemer of the world - have mercy on us.
God the Holy Spirit- have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, one God- have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, Son of the eternal Father - have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, formed by the Holy Spirit in the womb of the Virgin Mother - have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, one with the eternal Word - have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, infinite in majesty - have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, holy temple of God - have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, tabernacle of the Most High - have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, house of God and gate of heaven - have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, aflame with love for us - have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, source of justice and love - have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, full of goodness and love - have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, well spring of all virtue - have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, worthy of all praise - have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, king and center of all hearts - have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, treasure house of wisdom and knowledge - have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, in whom there dwells the fullness of God - have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, in whom the Father is well pleased - have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, from whose fullness we have all received - have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, desire of the eternal hills - have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, patient and full of mercy - have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, generous to all who turn to you - have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, fountain of life and holiness - have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, atonement for our sins - have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, overwhelmed with insults - have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, broken for our sins - have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, obedient even to death - have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, pierced by a lance - have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, source of all consolation - have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, our life and resurrection - have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, our peace and reconciliation - have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, victim of our sins - have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, salvation of all who trust in you - have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, hope of all who die in you - have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, delight of all the saints - have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world - have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world - have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world - have mercy on us.
Jesus, gentle and humble of heart.
Touch our hearts and make them like Your own.
Let us pray.
Father, we rejoice
in the gifts of love
we have received
from the heart of Jesus Your Son.
Open our hearts to share His life
and continue to bless us with His love.
We ask this in the name of
Jesus the Lord. Amen.
Lord, have mercy- Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy- Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy- Lord, have mercy.
God our Father in heaven- have mercy on us.
God the Son, Redeemer of the world - have mercy on us.
God the Holy Spirit- have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, one God- have mercy on us.
Blood of Christ, only Son of the Father - save us.
Blood of Christ, incarnate Word - save us.
Blood of Christ, of the new and eternal covenant - save us.
Blood of Christ, that spilled to the ground - save us.
Blood of Christ, that flowed at the scourging - save us.
Blood of Christ, dripping from the thorns - save us.
Blood of Christ, shed on the cross - save us.
Blood of Christ, the price of our redemption - save us.
Blood of Christ, our only claim to pardon - save us.
Blood of Christ, our blessing cup - save us.
Blood of Christ, in which we are washed - save us.
Blood of Christ, torrent of mercy - save us.
Blood of Christ, that overcomes evil - save us.
Blood of Christ, strength of the martyrs - save us.
Blood of Christ, endurance of the saints - save us.
Blood of Christ, that makes the barren fruitful - save us.
Blood of Christ, protection of the threatened - save us.
Blood of Christ, comfort of the weary - save us.
Blood of Christ, solace of the mourner - save us.
Blood of Christ, hope of the repentant - save us.
Blood of Christ, consolation of the dying - save us.
Blood of Christ, our peace and refreshment - save us.
Blood of Christ, our pledge of life - save us.
Blood of Christ, by which we pass to glory - save us.
Blood of Christ, most worthy of honor - save us.
Lamb of God, You take away the sins of the world - have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, You take away the sins of the world - have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, You take away the sins of the world - have mercy on us.
Lord, You redeemed us by Your blood.
You have made us a kingdom to serve our God.
Let us pray.
Father, by the blood of Your Son
You have set us free and saved us from death.
Continue Your work of love within us,
that by constantly celebrating
the mystery of our salvation
we may reach the eternal life it promises.
We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Lord, have mercy - Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy - Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy - Lord, have mercy.
Holy Mary, Mother of God - pray for us.
Saint Michael - pray for us.
Holy angels of God - pray for us.
Saint John the Baptist - pray for us.
Saint Joseph - pray for us.
Saint Peter and Saint Paul - pray for us.
Saint Andrew - pray for us.
Saint John - pray for us.
Saint Mary Magdalene - pray for us.
Saint Stephen - pray for us.
Saint Ignatius of Antioch - pray for us.
Saint Lawrence - pray for us.
Saint Perpetua and Saint Felicity - pray for us.
Saint Agnes - pray for us.
Saint Gregory - pray for us.
Saint Augustine - pray for us.
Saint Athanasius - pray for us.
Saint Basil - pray for us.
Saint Martin - pray for us.
Saint Benedict - pray for us.
Saint Francis and Saint Dominic - pray for us.
Saint Francis Xavier - pray for us.
Saint John Vianney - pray for us.
Saint Catherine - pray for us.
Saint Teresa of Jesus - pray for us.
All holy men and women - pray for us.
Lord, be merciful - Lord, deliver us, we pray.
From all evil - Lord, deliver us, we pray.
From every sin - Lord, deliver us, we pray.
From everlasting death - Lord, deliver us, we pray.
By your coming as man - Lord, deliver us, we pray.
By your death and rising to new life - Lord, deliver us, we pray.
By your gift of the Holy Spirit - Lord, deliver us, we pray.
Be merciful to us sinners, - Lord, we ask you, hear our prayer.
Guide and protect your holy Church - Lord, we ask you, hear our prayer.
Keep the pope and all the clergy in faithful service to your Church - Lord, we ask you, hear our prayer.
Bring all peoples together in trust and peace - Lord, we ask you, hear our prayer.
Strengthen us in your service - Lord, we ask you, hear our prayer.
Jesus, Son of the living God - Lord, we ask you, hear our prayer.
Christ, hear us - Christ, hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us - Christ, graciously hear us.
Let us pray.
God of our ancestors who set their hearts on You,
of those who fell asleep in peace,
and of those who won the martyrs’ violent crown:
we are surrounded by these witnesses
as by clouds of fragrant incense.
In this age we would be counted
in this communion of all the saints;
keep us always in their good and blessed company.
In their midst we make every prayer
through Christ who is our Lord
for ever and ever. Amen.
Short Prayers
Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of Your faithful and enkindle in them the fire of Your love.
Hear us, Lord, holy Father, almighty and eternal God; and graciously send Your holy angel from heaven to watch over, to cherish, to protect, to abide with, and to defend all who dwell in this house. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Lord, God Almighty, You have brought us safely to the beginning of this day. Defend us today by Your mighty power, that we may not fall into any sin, but that all our words may so proceed and all our thoughts and actions be so directed, as to be always just in Your sight. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
(A prayer for imploring divine assistance before any work)
Direct, we beseech Thee, O Lord, all our actions by Thy holy inspiration, carry them on by Thy gracious assistance, that every word and work of ours may always begin from Thee and by Thee be happily ended. Amen.
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 Thy wounds hide me.
Suffer me not to be separated from Thee.
From the malicious enemy defend me.
In the hour of my death call me.
And bid me come to Thee,
That with Thy saints I may praise Thee for ever and ever.
Amen.
Saint Michael the Archangel,
defend us in battle.
Be our protection against the
wickedness and snares of the devil;
May God rebuke him, we humbly pray;
And do thou, O Prince of the Heavenly Host,
by the power of God,
thrust into hell Satan and all evil spirits
who prowl about the world
seeking the ruin of souls.
Amen.
Blessed be God.
Blessed be His holy Name.
Blessed be Jesus Christ, true God and true Man.
Blessed be the name of Jesus.
Blessed be His most Sacred Heart.
Blessed be His most Precious Blood.
Blessed be Jesus in the most holy Sacrament of the altar.
Blessed be the Holy Spirit, the Paraclete.
Blessed be the great Mother of God, Mary most holy.
Blessed be her holy and Immaculate Conception.
Blessed be her glorious Assumption.
Blessed be the name of Mary, Virgin and Mother.
Blessed be Saint Joseph, her most chaste spouse.
Blessed be God in his angels and in his saints.
O Jesus, through the Immaculate Heart of Mary,
I offer You my prayers, works, joys, and sufferings of this day
for all the intentions of your Sacred Heart
in union with the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass throughout the world,
for the salvation of souls,
the reparation of sins,
the reunion of all Christians,
and in particular for the intentions of the Holy Father this month.
Amen.
(by John Henry Cardinal Newman)
Dear Jesus, help me to spread Your fragrance everywhere I go;
Flood my soul with Your spirit and life;
Penetrate and possess my whole being so completely
That all my life may be only a radiance of Yours;
Shine through me and be so in me
That everyone with whom I come into contact
May feel Your presence within me.
Let them look up and see no longer me—but only Jesus.
Amen.
(by St. Ignatius of Loyola)
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.
Behold, O kind and most sweet Jesus,
I cast myself upon my knees in Your sight,
and with the most fervent desire of my soul
I pray and beseech that You would
impress upon my heart lively sentiments of
Faith, Hope and Charity,
true repentance for my sins
and a firm purpose of amendment,
while with deep affection and grief of soul
I ponder within myself and mentally contemplate
Your five most precious wounds,
having before my eyes that which
David spoke in prophecy of You, O good Jesus:
“They have pierced my hands and feet,
they have numbered all my bones.”
Amen.
Novenas
A novena is nine days of prayer and meditation.
Special Prayer Devotions
The Rosary is a Scripture-based prayer. It is a powerful devotion as attested to by many Saints. As with any other prayer, if you are sincere in praying it, it will be fruitful for yourself and those you pray with. It may seem a bit awkward if you've never prayed it before, but I encourage you to keep at it. I've found it to be a real blessing during my neighborhood walks. I can focus on the mysteries, and at the same time if I see people while walking, I will offer up an Our Father or a Hail Mary for them, and possibly a prayer I feel placed on my heart. Needless to say this is not a 15-minute Rosary. But instead of feeling it being 'long', I enjoy the time and don't rush. I feel closer to God at the conclusion when I arrive back home, and have a sense of having 'tended the garden'. There are many good sites out there with additional meditations you can do on each Mystery.
The Chaplet of Divine Mercy is a devotion focusing on the mercy our Lord Jesus Christ offers to the world. It uses the Rosary beads to keep track of the prayers prayed.
Prayer Cards
Many of us are familiar with prayer cards if we have attended a Catholic funeral. One side will be a picture of the deceased, or a spiritual image, and a prayer is often on the other side. It is a nice practice to pray for those who have passed, that they will have known the mercy of God at the time of their death.
Well, prayer cards are great for praying for others throughout the day as well! There are so many kinds out there. One thing we as Catholic believe is that those who have gone on to be with the Lord (we call them Saints if officially recognized by the Church) are more alive than we are and more able to pray, so we ask their intercession as well when we pray for others. There are many Catholic retailers who sell them. I put a link to one such site (I get no money for linking to them and do not know the owners personally) below. You can usually find some at a local Catholic Church. I had a friend who built a collection, and as part of his night prayers, he would pick up a small stack and prayerfully go through them, offering them up as appropriate for people and situations. A great, pious practice to finish the day with.
Having a Mass said for someone
St. John Vianney "Martyrdom is nothing in comparison with the Mass, because martyrdom is the sacrifice of man to God, whereas the Mass is the Sacrifice of God for man!”
St. Pope Paul VI "The Mass is the most perfect form of prayer."
St. Anselm "A single Mass offered for oneself during life may be worth more than a thousand celebrated for the same intention after death.”
The tradition of having a mass (or masses) said for a particular person dates back at least to the 2nd century. They can be offered for the living, as well as the dead. There is no 'price' on a Mass, but it is customary when someone is able, to give an offering when requesting a Mass for a specific intention. You can talk to your local parish, or you can also request a mass from various groups online. I put a link to the Seraphic Mass Association below. I have personally used them many times over the years. You can find many different intentions for the masses listed there.
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