Basic Prayers
A PRAYER FOR
AMERICA
Father, we beg Your blessing for the Right to Life, the Unborn, the weak, the
sick and the old; all who are finding themselves being targets of the vicious
culture of death; that our Lord Jesus bless and protect all who stand up for the
Christian dignity of persons. That God enlighten those who are traveling down
death’s highway by their involvement, in any way, with either the contemporary
death culture, selfism, relativism, or any of the new age errors of our times,
that God envelop our culture with His Divine protection and help us both
individually and as a nation to true enlightenment, conversion and repentance of
our selves and our culture. Help us to turn from our national sin of abortion,
and return to, and once again become a Christian nation, on the narrow road,
that is, the path to becoming a nation and culture, under God. Amen.
ACT OF CONTRITION
O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended You and I detest all my sins,
because I dread the loss of heaven and the pains of hell, but most of all
because they offend you, my God, who are all good and deserving of all my love.
I firmly resolve, with the help of your grace, to confess my sins, to do penance
and to amend my life.
ACT OF RESIGNATION TO THE DIVINE WILL
O Lord my God, I now, at this moment, readily and willingly accept at Your hands
whatever kind of death it may please You to send me, will all its pains,
penalties and sorrows. Amen.
ANIMA CHRISTI
Soul of Christ, make me holy. Body of Christ, save me. Blood of Christ, fill me
with love. Water from Christ’s side, wash me. Passion of Christ, strengthen me.
Good Jesus, hear me. Within your wounds, hide me. Never let me be parted from
you. From the evil enemy, protect me. At the hour of my death, call me. And tell
me to come to you. That with your saints I may praise you. Through all eternity.
Amen.
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.
EVENING PRAYER
O my God, at the end of this day I thank You most heartily for all the graces I
have received from You. I am sorry that I have not made a better use of them. I
am sorry for all the sins I have committed against You. Forgive me, O my God,
and graciously protect me this night. Blessed Virgin Mary, my dear heavenly
mother, take me under your protection. St. Joseph, my dear Guardian Angel, and
all you saints of God, pray for me. Sweet Jesus, have pity on all poor sinners,
and save them from hell. Have mercy on the suffering souls in purgatory…
(followed by an Act of Contrition)
GLORY BE TO THE FATHER
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.
GUARDIAN ANGEL PRAYER – OLD
O Holy Angel, attendant of my wretched soul and of mine afflicted life, forsake
me not, a sinner, neither depart from me for mine inconstancy. Give no place to
the evil demon to subdue me with the oppression of this mortal body; but take me
by my wretched and outstretched hand, and lead me in the way of salvation. Yea,
O holy Angel of God, the guardian and protector of my hapless soul and body,
forgive me all things whatsoever wherewith I have troubled thee, all the days of
my life, and if I have sinned in anything this day. Shelter me in this present
night, and keep me from every affront of the enemy, lest I anger God by any sin;
and intercede with the Lord in my behalf, that He might strengthen me in the
fear of Him, and make me a worthy servant of His goodness. Amen.
HAIL MARY
Hail Mary full of Grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed are 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.
MORNING PRAYER
In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ I will begin this day. I thank you, Lord,
for having preserved me during the night. I will do my best to make all I do
today pleasing to You and in accordance with Your will. My dear mother Mary,
watch over me this day. My Guardian Angel, take care of me. St. Joseph and all
you saints of God, pray for me… (followed by Daily Offering)
PRAYER BEFORE COMMUNION
Father in heaven, you have made us for yourself; our hearts are restless until
they rest in you. Fulfill this longing through Jesus, the bread of life, so that
we may witness to him who alone satisfies the hungers of the human family. By
the power of your Spirit lead us to the heavenly table where we may feast on the
vision of your glory for ever and ever. Amen.
PRAYER BEFORE MEALS
Bless us Oh Lord, and these thy gifts, which we are about to receive, from thy
bounty, through Christ, Our Lord. Amen.
PRAYER FOR A HAPPY DEATH
O God, great and omnipotent judge of the living and the dead, we are to appear
before you after this short life to render an account of our works. Give us the
grace to prepare for our last hour by a devout and holy life, and protect us
against a sudden and unprovided death. Let us remember our frailty and
mortality, that we may always live in the ways of your commandments. Teach us to
“watch and pray” (Lk 21:36), that when your summons comes for our departure from
this world, we may go forth to meet you, experience a merciful judgment, and
rejoice in everlasting happiness. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
PRAYER FOR EMPLOYMENT
God, our Father, I turn to you seeking your divine help and guidance as I look
for suitable employment. I need your wisdom to guide my footsteps along the
right path, and to lead me to find the proper things to say and do in this
quest. I wish to use the gifts and talents you have given me, but I need the
opportunity to do so with gainful employment. Do not abandon me, dear Father, in
this search, but rather grant me this favor I seek so that I may return to you
with praise and thanksgiving for your gracious assistance. Grant this through
Christ, our Lord. Amen.
PRAYER FOR LIFE
O God, our Creator, all life is in your hands from conception until death. Help
us to cherish our children and to reverence the awesome privilege of our share
in creation. May all people live and die in dignity and love. Bless all those
who defend the rights of the unborn, the handicapped and the aged. Enlighten and
be merciful toward those who fail to love, and give them peace. Let freedom be
tempered by responsibility, integrity and morality.
PRAYER FOR PERSONAL FORGIVENESS
Lord Jesus, I am sorry for my sins, I renounce Satan and all his works, And I
give you my life. I accept you whom I’ve just received in communion. I now
receive and accept you as my personal Lord and my personal Savior, and as we
just prayed, fill us with Your Holy Spirit. Amen.
PRAYER FOR THE SICK
Father of goodness and love, hear our prayers for the sick members of our
community and for all who are in need. Amid mental and physical suffering may
they find consolation in your healing presence. Show your mercy as you close
wounds, cure illness, make broken bodies whole and free downcast spirits. May
these special people find lasting health and deliverance, and so join us in
thanking you for all your gifts. We ask this through the Lord Jesus who healed
those who believed. Amen.
PRAYER TO OUR LADY
Remember, O most loving Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who
fled to your protection, implored your help, or sought your intercession was
left unaided. Inspired with this confidence, we turn to you, O Virgins of
virgins, our Mother. To you we come, before you we stand, sinful and sorrowful.
O Mother of the Word Incarnate, do not despise our petitions, but in your mercy
hear us and answer us. Amen.
PRAYER TO THE HOLY SPIRIT
Breathe into me Holy Spirit, That all my thoughts may be holy. Move in me, Holy
Spirit, that my work, too, may be holy. Attract my heart, Holy Spirit, that I
may love only what is holy. Strengthen me, Holy Spirit, that I may defend all
that is holy. Protect me, Holy Spirit, that I always may be holy. PRAYER TO THE
HOLY SPIRIT: Spirit of wisdom and understanding, enlighten our minds to perceive
the mysteries of the universe in relation to eternity. Spirit of right judgment
and courage, guide us and make us firm in our baptismal decision to follow
Jesus’ way of love. Spirit of knowledge and reverence, help us to see the
lasting value of justice and mercy in our everyday dealings with one another.
May we respect life as we work to solve problems of family and nation, economy
and ecology. Spirit of God, spark our faith, hope and love into new action each
day. Fill our lives with wonder and awe in your presence which penetrates all
creation. Amen.
RENEWAL OF BAPTISMAL PROMISES
Lord Jesus Christ, I acknowledge you as King of the universe. All creation was
made for you. Exercise all your sovereign rights over me. I renew my baptismal
promises, renouncing Satan and all his works and empty promises, and I promise
to lead a good Christian life. I will try to bring about the recognition of the
truth of God and your Church. Divine Heart of Jesus, I offer all my actions that
every human heart may accept your kingship. May the kingdom of your peace be
established across the world.
ROSARY PRAYERS
O my Jesus, have mercy on us, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of
hell. Take all souls to heaven, especially those most in need of thy mercy.
Amen. (said after every Glory Be to the Father)
THE ANGELUS V
The Angel of the Lord declared unto Mary.
R- And she conceived of the Holy Spirit. (Hail Mary….)
V- Behold the handmaid of the Lord.
R- Be it done unto me according to thy word. (Hail Mary….)
V- And the Word was made Flesh.
R- And dwelt among us. (Hail Mary….)
V- Pray for us, O Holy Mother of God.
R- That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
LET US PRAY: Pour forth, we beseech Thee, O Lord, Thy grace into our hearts;
that, we to whom the Incarnation of Christ, Thy Son, was made known by the
message of an Angel, may by His Passion and Cross, be brought to the glory of
His Resurrection. Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.
Traditionally, the Angelus is said at 6 – 12 – 6.
THE APOSTLE’S CREED
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth; and in Jesus
Christ, His only Son, our Lord: Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of
the Virgin Mary; suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was
buried. He descended into hell; the third day He rose again from the dead; He
ascended into heaven, is seated at the right hand of God the Father Almighty;
from thence He shall come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the
Holy Spirit, the Holy Catholic Church, the communion of Saints, the forgiveness
of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting. Amen.
THE DIVINE PRAISES
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 Jesus in the Most Holy Sacrament of the Altar. 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 St. Joseph, her most chaste spouse. Blessed be God in His
Angels and in His Saints.
The Nicene Creed
We believe in one God,
the Father, the Almighty,
of all that is, seen and unseen.
We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ,
the only Son of God,
eternally begotten of the Father,
God from God, Light from Light,
true God from true God,
begotten, not made,
of one Being with the Father.
Through him all things were made.
For us and for our salvation
he came down from heaven:
by the power of the Holy Spirit
he became incarnate from the Virgin Mary,
and was made man.
For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate;
he suffered death and was buried.
On the third day he rose again
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.
We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life,
who proceeds from the Father and the Son.
With the Father and the Son he is worshipped and glorified.
He has spoken through the Prophets.
We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church.
We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins.
We look for the resurrection of the dead,
and the life of the world to come. Amen.
THE 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.
THE UNIVERSAL PRAYER (attributed to Pope Clement XI)
Lord, I believe in you: increase my faith.
I trust in you: strengthen my trust.
I love you: let me love you more and more.
I am sorry for my sins: deepen my sorrow.
I worship you as my first beginning,
I long for you as my last end,
I praise you as my constant helper,
And call on you as my loving protector.
Guide me by your wisdom,
Correct me with your justice,
Comfort me with your mercy,
Protect me with your power.
I offer you, Lord, my thoughts: to be fixed on you;
My words: to have you for their theme;
My actions: to reflect my love for you;
My sufferings: to be endured for your greater glory.
I want to do what you ask of me:
In the way you ask,
For as long as you ask,
Because you ask it.
Lord, enlighten my understanding,
Strengthen my will,
Purify my heart,
and make me holy.
Help me to repent of my past sins
And to resist temptation in the future.
Help me to rise above my human weaknesses
And to grow stronger as a Christian.
Let me love you, my Lord and my God,
And see myself as I really am:
A pilgrim in this world,
A Christian called to respect and love
All whose lives I touch,
Those under my authority,
My friends and my enemies.
Help me to conquer anger with gentleness,
Greed by generosity,
Apathy by fervor.
Help me to forget myself
And reach out toward others.
Make me prudent in planning,
Courageous in taking risks.
Make me patient in suffering, unassuming in prosperity.
Keep me, Lord, attentive at prayer,
Temperate in food and drink,
Diligent in my work,
Firm in my good intentions.
Let my conscience be clear,
My conduct without fault,
My speech blameless,
My life well-ordered.
Put me on guard against my human weaknesses.
Let me cherish your love for me,
Keep your law,
And come at last to your salvation.
Teach me to realize that this world is passing,
That my true future is the happiness of heaven,
That life on earth is short,
And the life to come eternal.
Help me to prepare for death
With a proper fear of judgment,
But a greater trust in your goodness.
Lead me safely through death
To the endless joy of heaven.
Grant this through Christ our Lord. Amen.