Looking for a prayer to help you along your path to holiness? Below are listed some suggestions that relate well to the topics covered on this site. From trusting in God to praying for a more virtuous life to seeking direction in this life, there are prayers that fit any occasion or need. We are called to a strong and consistent prayer life in our quest to be holy. After all, ‘conversation’ is the foundation of any good relationship and prayer is our conversation with God. If you feel that your conversation needs a boost, you may want to give a few of these tried and true prayers a try. Here are some favorites …
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Prayers for Every (or any) Day …
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Blessing Before Meals
Bless us, O Lord, and these Thy gifts which we are about to receive from Thy bounty, through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Blessing After Meals
We give you thanks, almighty God, for all your benefits, who lives and reigns for ever and ever. Amen.
Morning Offering
Oh my Jesus, through the Immaculate Heart of Mary, I offer You my prayers, works, joys, and sufferings of this day fall all the intentions of Your Sacred Heart, in union with the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass throughout the world, in reparation for my sins, for the intentions of all our associates, and particular for the general intentions recommended this month. Amen.
Prayer at the Close of the Day
Watch, O Lord, with those who wake, or watch, or weep tonight, and give your angels charge over those who sleep. Tend your sick ones, O Lord Christ. Rest your weary ones. Bless your dying ones. Soothe your suffering ones. Pity your afflicted ones. Shield your joyous ones And for all your love’s sake. Amen.
Prayer of Discernment
Most high, glorious God, enlighten the darkness of my heart, and give me right faith, certain hope, and perfect charity, wisdom and understanding, Lord, that I may carry out Your holy and true command. Amen.
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Prayers related to entrusting yourself to God …
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Morning or Evening Prayer
Lord Jesus, I give you my hands to do your work. I give you my feet to go your way. I give you my eyes to see as you see. I give you my tongue to speak your words. I give you my mind to think as you think. I give you my spirit so that you may pray in me. I give you my self so that you may grow in me. So that it is you, Lord Jesus, who lives and works and prays in me. Amen.
Prayer of Complete Trust in God
O Lord, help me to realize that nothing will happen to me today that You and I cannot work out together.
Prayer of Abandonment
Father, I abandon myself into your hands; do with me what you will. Whatever you may do, I thank you: I am ready for all, I accept all. Let only your will be done in me, and in all your creatures. I wish no more than this, O Lord.
Into your hands I commend my soul; I offer it to you with all the love of my h eart, for I love you, Lord, and so need to give myself, to surrender myself into your hands, without reserve, and with boundless confidence, for you are my Father. Amen. {Prayer by Charles de Foucauld}
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Prayers for Virtue …
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A Prayer for the Virtues
O Almighty and all-knowing God, without beginning or end, who art the giver, preserver, and rewarder of all virtue:
Grant me to stand firm on the solid foundation of faith, be protected by the invincible shield of hope, and be adorned by the nuptial garment of charity; Grant me by justice to obey thee, by prudence to resist the crafts of the Devil, by temperance to hold to moderation, by fortitude to bear adversity with patience;
Grant that the goods that I have I may share liberally with those who have not, and the good that I do not have I may seek with humility from those who have; Grant that I may truly recognize the guilt of the evil I have done, and bear with equanimity the punishments I have deserved; that I may never lust after the goods of my neighbor, but always give thanks to thee for all thy good gifts…
Plant in me, O Lord, all thy virtues, that in divine matters I might be devout, in human affairs wise, and in the proper needs of the flesh onerous to no one. And grant that I may never rush to do things hastily, or balk to do things demanding, so that I neither yearn for things too soon, nor desert things before they are finished. Amen. {Prayer by Saint Thomas Aquinas}
The Virtue Prayer
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Prayers when suffering, sick, or facing difficulties …
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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; never let me be separated from you; From the evil one protect me; at the hour of my death call me and bid me come to you that you saints, I may praise you forever and ever. Amen.
Prayer for Divorced
Father, I belong to you. I place myself anew in your hands and acknowledge you as Master and Lord of my life. Grant me the gift of a forgiving heart and cleanse me of any anger, hostility or revenge. Heal my hurts and wounds and teach me to rely on your love. Grant me wisdom of heart and strengthen me by your grace to move on in faith, in trust and in love. Thank you Lord for your love in my life. Amen. {ecatholic2000.com}
Prayer for Peace of Mind and Heart
Eternal, Holy God, I come to You burdened with worries, fears, doubts and troubles. Calm and quiet me with peace of mind. Empty me of the anxiety that disturbs me, of the concerns that weary my spirit, and weigh heavily on my heart. Loosen my grip on the disappointments and grievances I hold on to so tightly. Release me from the pain of past hurts, of present anger and tension, of future fears.
Sometimes it’s too much for me Lord, too many demands and problems, too much sadness, suffering and stress. Renew me spiritually and emotionally. Give me new strength, hope, and confidence. Prepare me to meet the constant struggles of daily life with a deeper faith and trust in You. Let your love set me free, for peace, for joy, for grace, for life, for others, forever. Amen.
Serenity Prayer
O God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can and the wisdom to know the difference. Living one day at a time, enjoying one moment at a time. Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace. Taking, as he did, the sinful world as it is, not as I would have it. Trusting that he will make all things right if I surrender to His will; that I may be reasonably happy in this life, and supremely happy with Him forever. Amen.