Our Family Prayers

It is good to pray daily to develop our relationship with God. In addition to spontaneous prayer, these or other pre-written prayers are suggested as part of a daily prayer ritual. View About Prayer for more information

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Sign of the Cross

In the name of the Father,
and of the Son,
and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.

Apostles’ 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,
and on the third day
he rose again from the dead.
He ascended into heaven,
and is seated at the right hand of God,
the Father almighty.
From there he will 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.

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.

Bible Verses

Micah 6:8

This is what the Lord asks of you,
only this:
to act justly,
to love tenderly,
and to walk humbly with your God.

Proverbs 3:5-6

Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
and lean not on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will direct your path.

Psalm 62:2

Only in God is my soul at rest.
In him comes my salvation.

Prayer to Know God

God, grant me,
a mind to know you,
a heart to seek you,
wisdom to find you,
conduct pleasing to you,
perseverance in waiting for you,
and a hope of finally embracing you.
Amen.

– St. Thomas Aquinas, 1265

Prayer for Discernment

God, grant me,
and all your children,
especially N,
the wisdom, knowledge,
courage, and grace,
to make the decisions
that need to be made,
and to do so in a
Christian manner.
Amen.

– Bill Connolly Sr, 1988

Serenity Prayer

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.
Amen.

– Reinhold Niebuhr, 1943

Prayer of Reassurance

My Lord God,
I have no idea where I am going.
I do not see the road ahead of me.
I cannot know for certain where it will end.
Nor do I really know myself,
and the fact that I think
I am following your will
does not mean that I am actually doing so.
But I believe that the desire to please you
does in fact please you.
And I hope I have that desire
in all that I am doing.
I hope that I will never do anything
apart from that desire.
And I know that if I do this
you will lead me by the right road
though I may know nothing about it.
Therefore will I trust you always
though I may seem to be lost
and in the shadow of death.
I will not fear, for you are ever with me,
and you will never leave me
to face my perils alone.

– Thomas Merton, 1956

Guardian Angel Prayer

Thank you God,
for assigning an angel
to guide me and to protect me.
Help me to recognize and appreciate
all that my angel does for me.

Angel of God,
I thank you for being
my guardian and counselor.
Protect me from all
physical and spiritual danger,
assist me in navigating life’s challenges,
and inspire me to know and love the Lord.
Amen.

St. Michael the Archangel

St. 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,
cast into hell, Satan,
and all the evil spirits
who prowl about the world
seeking the ruin of souls.
Amen.

– Pope Leo XIII , 1884

Soul of Christ

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.
From the wicked foe, defend me.
At the hour of my death, call me,
and bid me come to you,
that with your saints,
I may praise you,
for ever and ever.
Amen.

Family Prayer

God made us a family.

We need one another.
We love one another.
We forgive one another.

We work together.
We play together.
We worship together.

Together we love all people.
Together we grow in faith.
Together we serve our God.

Thank you God for all of my family.
Amen.

Prayer for Fathers

Heavenly Father,
bless all fathers and fatherlike figures,
especially N.

Fathers are the head of the family,
charged by you to protect and provide
for the physical and spiritual needs
of each member.

Therefore, help our fathers lead
their families with love and kindness.

Grace them with the virtues of
wisdom, justice, courage, and self-control.

Grant them knowledge so they may
properly educate and discipline their children.

And help them prioritize and balance
their faith, family, and career.
Amen.

Prayer for Mothers

Heavenly Father,
bless all mothers and motherlike figures,
especially N.

Mothers are the heart of the family,
providing care and support
through their self-sacrifice
and unconditional love.

Therefore, when our mothers are tired,
give them strength.

When they feel alone,
give them comfort.

When they feel overwhelmed,
help them to know peace.

And in their darkest moments,
be their light.
Amen.

Prayer for Children

Heavenly Father,
bless all children of the world,
especially N.

Provide them with parents and caregivers
who will love them and prepare them
for life on earth and eternal life in heaven.

Protect them from all evil
and guide them towards a life of
goodness, discipline, and knowledge.

Prepare them for the vocation in life
for which you have called them:
marriage, single life, or religious life.

And fill them with a desire to know
your Son, Jesus Christ.
Amen.

Prayer for Religious Vocations

Heavenly Father,
you see the needs of your people
and hear the prayers of your Church.
See our need for more religious vocations.

We need ministers of the Word
and of the sacraments.
We need guides to teach us your way.
Lord, the work in your vineyard is abundant
and the workers are not sufficient.

We ask you to bless our young people,
especially N,
with the call to religious life.
Enrich your Church
with many holy and zealous
priests, sisters, brothers, and deacons.

We ask this through Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
now and forever.
Amen.

– Anna Mae Tschirhart Connolly Merkle, 1978

Prayer for Religious Leaders

Heavenly Father,
we pray for Pope Leo,
and for all priests, sisters,
brothers, and deacons,
especially N,
that the Holy Spirit will give them
wisdom and courage
to serve the Church,
proclaim the Gospel,
and bring Christ to the world.
Amen.

Prayer for Political Leaders

Heavenly Father,
we pray for all
local, national, and world leaders,
especially N,
that they will govern justly,
protect the dignity of human life,
promote peace and unity,
and work for the common good.
Amen.

Prayer for the Poor

Heavenly Father,
we pray for the poor and vulnerable.
Help us to be instruments of your love,
to feed the hungry,
clothe the naked,
shelter the homeless,
and care for the sick.
Amen.

Prayer for the Sick

Heavenly Father,
bless all who are sick or injured,
especially N.
Comfort them through their illness
and embrace them with your love.
Let their pain and suffering be united
with the sacrifice of your Son, Jesus,
and offered up for the healing
of the whole world.
We ask this through Christ, our Lord.
Amen.

Memorial Prayer

Heavenly Father,
pour out your grace
on those who have died,
especially N.
Have compassion on them
and their families.
Forgive their sins
and welcome them into your kingdom.
We ask this through Christ, our Lord.
Amen.

Resurrection Prayer

Lord, Jesus Christ,
you endured much pain and suffering
before dying on the cross.
You sacrificed yourself
to atone for the sins of the world,
so that those who repent of their sins,
and follow your commandments,
will be resurrected to eternal life.

Lord, give us the strength
to endure our own pain and suffering.
Help us turn away from sin
and follow your commandments
so that when we die,
by your grace,
we may live with you
forever and ever.
Amen.

The Seven Deadly Sins

Holy Spirit,
when I feel…

Prideful

Envious

Angry

Lazy

Greedy

Gluttonous

Lustful

help me to be…

Humble

Kind

Patient

Diligent

Generous

Moderate

Chaste

The Ten Commandments

Traditional version in black.
Modern version in grey.

I am the Lord your God, you shall not have other gods before me.
Love God more than anything else.
You shall not take the Lord’s name in vain.
Say God’s name with respect.
Keep holy the Lord’s day.
Keep the Lord’s day holy through worship, family, and service.
Honor your father and mother.
Respect your father and mother.
You shall not murder.
Don’t hurt anyone.
You shall not commit adultery.
Only be intimate with your spouse.
You shall not steal.
Don’t steal.
You shall not lie.
Don’t lie.
You shall not covet your neighbor’s spouse.
Don’t desire another’s partner.
You shall not covet your neighbor’s goods.
Don’t be jealous of what others have.

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.
Amen.

Thank You Jesus

Thank you Jesus,
for coming to earth to teach me
about the kingdom of heaven.

Thank you Jesus,
for allowing yourself to be crucified,
so my sins would be forgiven.

Thank you Jesus,
for rising from the dead,
giving me hope
for my own resurrection.

Thank you Jesus!
Amen.

Morning Prayer

Give thanks to God before starting the day.

Thank you God
for all the blessings
you will give me today.
May all my thoughts,
words, and actions
glorify you.
Amen.

Night Prayer

Before falling asleep, take a few moments to recall the day.

Thank you God
for all the blessings
you gave me today.
Forgive all my thoughts,
words, and actions
that did not glorify you.
Amen.

Bible Prayer

Pray before reading or listening to the Bible.

Holy Spirit,
help me understand
how to apply the Word of God
to my life today.
Amen.

Daily Prayers