Catholics and Prayer
Prayer is a form of communication, a way of talking to God or to the saints. Not all prayers are the same, however. Here are brief descriptions of the five major types of prayer.
1 . Adoration
In prayers of adoration or worship, we praise the greatness of God, and we acknowledge our dependence on him in all things. The Mass and the other liturgies of the Church are full of prayers of this sort, such as the Gloria (or Glory to God). Among private prayers, the Act of Faith is a prayer of adoration.
An Act of Faith
O my God, I firmly believe that Thou art one God in three Divine Person, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; I believe that Thy 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 Thou hast revealed them, who canst neither deceive nor be deceived. Amen
2 . Expiation
In a prayer of expiation or contrition, we acknowledge our sinfulness and ask God for His forgiveness and mercy. The Confiteor or Penitential Rite at the beginning of Mass, and the Agnus Dei (or Lamb of God) before Communion, are prayers of expiation, as is the Act of Contrition.
The Act of Contrition
O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended Thee, and I detest all my sins, because I dread the loss of Heaven, and the pains of Hell; but most of all because I love Thee, my God, Who art all good and deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve, with the help of Thy grace, to confess my sins, to do penance, and to amend my life. Amen.
Grace Before Meals
Bless us, O Lord, and these Thy gifts, which we are about to receive from Thy bounty, through Christ our Lord. Amen
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3 . Love
Prayers of love or charity are just that—expressions of our love for God, the source and object of all love. The Act of Charity is perhaps the best example of a prayer of love.
An Act of Charity
O my God, I love Thee above all things, with my whole heart and soul, because Thou art all good and worthy of all love. I love my neighbor as myself for the love of Thee. I forgive all who have injured me, and ask pardon of all whom I have injured. Amen.
4 . Petition
Prayers of petition are the type of prayer with which we are most familiar. In them, we ask God for things we need—primarily spiritual needs, but physical ones as well. Our prayers of petition should always include a statement of our willingness to accept God's Will, whether He directly answers our prayer or not. The Our Father is a good example of a prayer of petition, and the line "Thy will be done" shows that, in the end, we acknowledge that God's plans for us are more important than what we desire. 1950's style parents and children saying Grace Before Meals. Tim Bieber/The Image Bank/Getty Images
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.
5 . Thanksgiving
Perhaps the most neglected type of prayer is prayer of thanksgiving. While Grace Before Meals is a good example of a prayer of thanksgiving, we should get into the habit of thanking God throughout the day for the good things that happen to us and to others.
Grace Before Meals
Bless us, O Lord, and these Thy gifts, which we are about to receive from Thy bounty, through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Some Familiar Prayers Catholics Pray:
O, Angel of God, my guardian dear, to whom God's love commits me here. Ever this night be at my side, to light and guard, to rule and guide me. Amen"
I believe we all have a guardian angel and scriptures place much emphasis on the role of angels in heaven and here with us on earth. The Annunciation that Mary was to be the Mother of God came from an angel, Saint Joseph was warned of the dangers to his family by an angel, the birth of Jesus was announced to the humble shepherds by angels. They were, and still are I believe, the messengers of God.
There are 115 references to angels in the Old Testament and almost 200 references to angels in the New Testament. But there are also many references to Satan's angels, the followers of the 'Fallen Angel - Lucifer'.
"Now war arose in heaven, Michael and his angels fighting against the dragon; and the dragon and his angels fought, but they were defeated and there was no longer any place for them in heaven." Revelation 12. 7-8 RSV
Saint Michael the Archangel is often invoked for his protection of us against Satan and his wiles. A lovely prayer to Saint Michael before going to sleep is:
"Saint Michael the Archangel, defend us in the day of battle. Be our safeguard against the wickedness and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray, and do thou, O Prince of the Heavenly Host, cast down to hell Satan and all his wicked spirits who wander through the world for the ruin of souls"
Childlike simplicity is often the most effective way to pray. Our children are taught this beautiful simple prayer of contrition in school and it's a fitting one for the end of the day:
Some Prayers for Different Ocassions:
　
"Oh my God, I thank You for loving me. I am sorry for all my sins, for not loving others and not loving You. Help me to live like Jesus and not to sin again."
Here's their night time prayer:
"God our Father I come to say, 'Thank You for Your Love Today; Thank You for my family and all the friends You give to me. Guard me in the dark of night and in the morning send Your light"
We need to be able to hand back the day to the Lord, in thanksgiving and in surrender and this is a nice way to do so:
"Into Your hands this night O Lord I commend my spirit. Into Your ears I pour out all my troubles. Into Your loving heart I humbly confide my sins and failings. Watch over me during this night, that tomorrow I may serve and praise You. Amen"
Saint Augustine left us this lovely night prayer:
"Watch O Lord with those who wake, or watch, or weep tonight, and give Your Angels and Saints charge over those who sleep. Tend Your sick ones, dear Lord, rest Your weary ones, bless Your dying ones, soothe Your suffering ones, pity Your afflicted ones, shield Your joyous ones, and all for Your Love's sake."
Here's another nice one to say before going to sleep:
Night is falling Dear Mother and the long day is o're. And before your beloved image we are kneeling once more to thank-you for keeping us safe through this day and to ask thee this night to keep all evil away. Many times have I fallen today Mother dear, many graces negelected, since last I knelt here. Oh look down out of pity my own Mother mild and ask Jesus to pardon the sins of your child. I am going to rest now for the long day is ore, its hours and its moments have passed one by one. The God that will judge us has counted each fall and has numbered each fault in his book, they are written against the last day, Oh Mother ask Jesus to wash them away from one drop of his blood in itself is sufficent to cleanse the whole world from its sins. And if ever at dawn I should draw my last breath and the sleep that I take be the long sleep of rest. Oh! Be near me dear mother, for Jesus' dear sake, when our souls on life's eternities shores shall awake.
This lovely prayer by Cardinal Newman is a gentle closure for the day:
"May God support us all the day long, 'till the shadows lengthen and the evening comes, and the busy world is hushed, and the fever of life is over, and our work is done! Then, in His mercy, may He give us a safe lodging and a holy rest, and peace at the last."
For a Happy Death
Prayer to Saint Joseph for a Happy Death
O Blessed Joseph, you gave your last breath in the loving embrace of Jesus and Mary. When the seal of death shall close my life, come with Jesus and Mary to aid me. Obtain for me this solace for that hour - to die with their holy arms around me. Jesus, Mary and Joseph, I commend my soul, living and dying, into your sacred arms.
Amen.
Prayer to St. Joseph for a Happy Death
O Glorious St. Joseph, behold I choose thee today for my special patron in life and at the hour of my death. Preserve and increase in me the spirit of prayer and fervor in the service of God. Remove far from me every kind of sin; obtain for me that my death may not come upon me unawares, but that I may have time to confess my sins sacramentally and to bewail them with a most perfect understanding and a most sincere and perfect contrition, in order that I may breathe forth my soul into the hands of Jesus and Mary. Amen
Prayer Happy Death
Dear St. Joseph, accept the offering I make to you. Be my father, protector, and guide in the way of salvation. Obtain for me purity of heart and a love for the spiritual life. After your example, let all my actions be directed to the greater glory of God, in union with the Divine Heart of Jesus, the Immaculate Heart of Mary, and your own paternal heart. Finally, pray for me that I may share in the peace and joy of your holy death. Amen.
　
Prayer for a Heavenly Crown
O ST. JOSEPH, virgin father of Jesus and most pure spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary, pray every day for us to the same Jesus, the Son of God, that being defended by the power of His grace and striving dutifully in life, we may be crowned by Him at the hour of death. Amen.
　
An Ancient Prayer to Saint Joseph for a Happy Death
O St. Joseph, whose protection is so great, so strong, so prompt before the throne of God, I place in thee all my interests and desires. O St. Joseph, assist me by thy powerful intercession and obtain for me all spiritual blessings through thy foster Son, Jesus Christ Our Lord, so that, having engaged here below thy heavenly power, I may offer thee my thanksgiving and homage.
O St. Joseph, I never weary contemplating thee and Jesus asleep in thine arms. I dare not approach while He reposes near thy heart. Press Him in my name and kiss His fine head for me, and ask Him to return the kiss when I draw my dying breath.
St. Joseph, patron of departing souls, pray for me.
The Forgiveness Prayer
　
Quiet Prayer
Father, Thank You for each and every day You have blessed us here on earth.
Thank You for Your tender mercies.
Thank You for giving us friends and family to share joys and sorrows with.
I ask You to bless my friends, relatives, brothers and sisters in Christ and
those I care deeply for, who are reading this right now.
Where there is joy, give them continued joy.
Where there is pain or sorrow, give them your peace and mercy.
Where there is self-doubt, release a renewed confidence.
Where there is need, fulfill their needs.
Bless their homes, families, finances, their goings and their comings.
In Jesus' name, Amen.
Thank you most of all for Jesus who gave us the free gift of
Eternal life.(Romans 5:12-21)
St. Francis of Assissi
Make Me an Instrument of Your Peace
Lord, make me an instrument of Your peace. Where there is hatred, let me sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; where there is sadness, joy.
O, Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console; to be understood as to understand; to be loved as to love; For it is in giving that we receive; it is in pardoning that we are pardoned; it is in dying that we are born again to eternal life. AMEN
Peace of Heart
Almighty and Eternal God,
Give me, I beseech You,
the great gift of inward peace.
Command the winds and storms
of my unruly passions.
Subdue, by Your grace,
my proneness to love
created things too much.
Give me a love of suffering for Your sake.
make me forbearing and kind to others,
that I may avoid quarrels and contentions.
And teach me constantly to seek after
and to acquire that perfect resignation
to Your Holy Will
which alone brings interior peace.
Amen.