Prayers
My Favorites
We all have special prayers that we cherish because they make us feel closer to God. Here are my favorites that never fail to comfort.
Serenity Prayer, attributed to Reinhold Niebuhr, 1932
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.
Thomas Merton’s Prayer, from his book Thoughts in Solitude
“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 that 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.”
Memorare
Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thine intercession was left unaided.
Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto thee, O Virgin of virgins, my mother; to thee do I come, before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in thy mercy hear and answer me.
Amen.
Suscipe, St. Ignatius of Loyola
Take, Lord, and receive all my liberty, my memory, my understanding, and my entire will. All I have and call my own.
You have given all to me. To you, Lord, I return it.
Everything is yours; do with it what you will. Give me only your love and your grace, that is enough for me.
My Modifications of Classic Prayers
Morning Offering
O my God I offer you this day, bless it and accept it for your greater honor and glory and the salvation of souls. I offer you every thought, word, deed, demeanor, action, attitude, posture, smile, and my attempts to be gentle, humble, and to listen. I offer you my aches, pains, aging, and wrinkles. I offer you my time, lists, goals, and intentions. I surrender all to you. Amen.
Expanded Prayer of St. Francis
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace. Where there is hatred, let me sow love; injury, pardon; doubt, faith; despair, hope; darkness, light; sickness, healing; monkey mind and worry, peace of Christ.
Where there is injustice, prejudice, judgment, selfishness, jealousy, pride, dishonesty, and arrogance, may there be justice, respect, a reverent kind of love for every living being, selfless generosity, joy and happiness for all the good things that other people do and have, and a warm, gentle humility, impeccable honesty, and the ability to love each individual as my brothers and sisters in Christ.
Where there is pain or any cross to carry, may I carry it like it’s a beautiful, large bouquet of flowers, holding it to my heart and then raising it to God, for His honor and glory, forgiveness of sins, the salvation of souls, atonement for sins, and healing as He sees fit.
Where there is worry, fear, anxiety, anger, sadness, or stress, may there be absolute trust in You, our Lord and our God.
Divine Master, grant that I may seek not so much to be understood as to understand, to be consoled as to console, to be loved as to love, to be listened to as to listen, and to be in control and trust only myself as to let go and trust you and others. For it is in giving that we receive, pardoning that we are pardoned, and dying that we are born to eternal life. Amen.
My Lord, Let my hands be your hands, my heart be your heart, may I see as you see and, above all, listen as you listen. Amen.
O Lord, on this day may I stand up tall, smile and listen!!!!! (S, S, and L Prayer)
Prayer for Our Parish*
Dear God,
We of St. Mark’s come humbly before you, praying together to tell you how much we love you and need you.
We are forever grateful to you for your mercy, for our faith, and for all our blessings. We especially pray for wisdom, trust, and courage to help us be better instruments of your love. Help each of us, O God, to be open to your will so that we may better serve you as stewards of your gifts and talents. Help us to show love, generosity, and friendship to those who are different from us and to those in need.
Thank you for the many faithful of our parish. With your help we will embrace our challenges as opportunities to grow closer to you as individuals and as a parish!
O Dear God, we make a joyful noise of praise and thanksgiving to you as we turn to you, trusting in the Holy Name of Jesus, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God for ever and ever. Amen.
*This prayer was written by me in August of 2013 for St. Mark the Evangelist Catholic Church, Hyattsville, MD. It is regularly recited at daily Mass. Other churches are welcome to use it as written or adapt it for their own communities.