A Prayer Life

How to pray

Jesus taught us how to pray the Our Father:

“Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name.

Your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread,

and forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.

And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil,” (Mt. 6:9-13). 

But where do we go from here? How do we pray for or about other things? 

I’ve felt clumsy in the past praying for things, because there is no exact way that I know of and “wing it” sort to speak when I petition the Father for something. I usually begin by finding a comfortable place to sit or kneel and recite my favorite prayers including the Our Father, The Apostle’s Creed and Hail Mary. I pray for Christ’s and the Holy Mother’s intercession and continue with other prayers like:

Morning Offering

Most holy and adorable Trinity, one God in three Persons, I praise you and give you thanks for all the favors you have bestowed on me. Your goodness has preserved me until now. I offer you my whole being and in particular all my thoughts, words, and deeds, together with tall the trials I may undergo this day. Give them your blessing May your divine love animate them and may they serve your greater glory.

I make this morning offering in union with the divine intentions of Jesus Christ who offers himself daily in the holy sacrifice of the Mass, and in union with Mary, his virgin Mother and our Mother, who was always the faithful handmaid of the Lord. Amen.

Act of Faith

O my God, I firmly believe that you are one God in three divine Persons, Father, Son and Holy Spirit; I believe that your divine Son became man and died for our sins, and that he will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe these and all the truths which the holy Catholic Church teaches, because you revealed them, who can never deceive or be deceived. Amen.

Act of Hope

O my God, relying on your infinite goodness and promises, I hope to obtain pardon of my sin, the help of your grace, and life everlasting, through the merits of Jesus Christ, my Lord and Redeemer. Amen.

Act of Love

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

Act of Contrition

My God, I am sorry for my sins with all my heart. In choosing to do wrong and failing to do good, I have sinned against you whom I should love above all things. I firmly intend, with your help to do penance, to sin no more, and to avoid whatever leads me to sin. Our Savior Jesus Christ suffered and died for us. In his name my God have mercy. Amen

Memorare

Remember, O most gracious 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, I fly to you, O virgin of virgins, my Mother. To you I come, before you I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions but in your mercy, hear and answer me.

Prayer to our Redeemer

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 permit me to be separated from you. From the evil one protect me, at the hour of death call me, and bid me come to you that with your saints I may praise you forever. Amen.

Prayer to My Guardian Angel

Angel of God, my guardian dear, to whom his love commits me here, ever this day (night) be at my side, to light and guard, to rule and guide. Amen.

Reciting all of these prayers helps to prepare my heart and mind for our Lord. I then pray for my protection and loved ones, and deliverance from evil. I talk to the Father about what is on my mind and conclude with my needs. 

Prayer is a privilege. Especially if you genuinely believe that God listens. Prayers aren’t always answered automatically, but they are answered - and sometimes in ways we do not understand.

Please note there is no one way to pray, this just happens to work for me. It’s my goal to share ideas with you incase you feel unsure about how to pray too. You don’t have to recite all the prayers that I do - sometimes the best prayers are short and sweet. This process is one that I chose to adopt over the years and one that I am comfortable with. I encourage you to find a system of prayer that is good for you. I pray that the ideas I’ve shared help you find your prayer voice.