Prayers
You don't need to know how to pray to start praying. Pick one. Say it slowly. He hears.
The prayer Jesus taught us
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.
Jesus gave us this prayer when His disciples asked Him how to pray (Matthew 6:9–13). It is the foundation of the Christian life. Pray it slowly. Mean every line.
Christ's prayer the night before He laid down His life
Father, if Thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless, not my will, Lord — Yours be done.
From Luke 22:42 — Jesus prayed this in the garden of Gethsemane the night He was arrested. It is the prayer of total surrender. When the road in front of you is hard, this is the prayer to come back to.
A prayer for protection against evil
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.
Composed by Pope Leo XIII in 1886 after a vision of spiritual warfare. Catholics often pray it at the close of Mass and before bed. St. Michael is the leader of the heavenly host — the angel who fights for souls.
A prayer asking the Mother of God to pray for us
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou amongst 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.
The first half is from Scripture — the angel Gabriel's greeting at the Annunciation (Luke 1:28) and Elizabeth's greeting at the Visitation (Luke 1:42). The second half is the Church asking Mary to pray for us. Mary always points us to Jesus.
A short prayer of praise to the Trinity
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.
A short act of praise to the three Persons of God. Often prayed at the end of a Psalm, after each decade of the Rosary, or just whenever you want to give Him glory.
For when you don't know what to say
Lord, I need You. Lead me home.
You don't need fancy words. He hears the heart that is honest. If you can't pray anything else today — pray this.
