Prayers for all Occasions, Needs, and Intentions

OCCASIONAL PRAYERS

A collection of beautiful prayers for occasional use.

Prayer For The Whole Church

Defend us, O Lord, we beseech Thee, from all dangers both of soul and body; and, by the intercession of the glorious and blessed Mary ever Virgin, Mother of God, of blessed Joseph, of thy holy Apostles Peter and Paul, of Blessed N. (mention your patron Saint), and all thy Saints, grant us, in Thy mercy, health and peace; that all adversaries and errors being done away, Thy Church may serve Thee with a pure and undisturbed, devotion.  Amen. 

A Prayer For The Pope

O God, the Pastor and Ruler of all the faithful, look down, in Thy mercy, upon Thy servant N. (mention the Pope's name), whom Thou hast appointed to preside over Thy Church; and grant, we beseech Thee, that both by word and example he may edify all those who are under his charge; so that, with the flock entrusted to him, he may arrive at length unto life everlasting. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen. 

A Prayer For The Bishop Of The Diocese

Grant, we beseech Thee, O Lord, to Thy servant our Bishop, that, by preaching and doing such things as are right, he may by the example of good works edify the minds of those under his authority, and receive of Thee, most tender Shepherd, an everlasting recompense and reward. Amen. 

A Prayer For The Congregation

Defend, we beseech Thee, O Lord, through the intercession of Blessed Mary, ever Virgin, this Thy family, from all adversity; and as in all humility they prostrate themselves before Thee, do Thou graciously protect them against all the snares of their enemies. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. 

A Prayer In Any Necessity

O God, our refuge and strength, who art the Author of all goodness; hear, we beseech Thee, the devout prayers of Thy church; and grant that what we faithfully ask we may effectually obtain. Amen. 

A Prayer For Rain

O God, in Whom we live, and move, and are, grant us seasonable rain; that we, enjoying a sufficiency of support in this life, may with more confidence strive after the things which are eternal. Amen. 

A Prayer For Fair Weather

Hear us, O Lord, who cry unto Thee, and grant fair weather to us, Thy suppliant servants; that we, who are justly afflicted for our sins, may be Thy preventing pity find mercy. Amen.

A Prayer During Hurricane Season

O Heavenly Father, all the elements of nature obey Your commands, including hurricanes. Calm the storms that threaten us and turn our fear of Your power into praise of Your goodness.

Grant this through Our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever.  

A Prayer For The Gift Of Tears

O Almighty and most Merciful God, who didst cause a fount of living water to spring out of a rock for Thy people in their thirst; draw forth tears of compunction from our stony hearts; that, we may weep over our sins, and by Thy mercy deserve to obtain pardon for the same. Amen. 

A Prayer For The Forgiveness Of Sins

O God, who rejectest none that come unto Thee, but in loving kindness art appeased even with the greatest sinners who repent; mercifully regard our prayers in our humiliation, and enlighten our hearts, that we may be able to fulfill Thy commandments. Amen. 

A Prayer For The Tempted And Afflicted

O God, who, justifiest the ungodly, and willest not the death of a sinner; we humbly entreat Thy Majesty to protect Thy servants, who trust in Thy mercy, with Thy heavenly assistance; that they may constantly serve Thee, and by no temptation be separated from Thee. Amen. 

A Prayer Against Evil Thoughts

Almighty and most Merciful God, graciously hearken unto our prayers; and free out hearts from the temptations of evil thoughts; that we may worthily become a fit habitation for Thy holy Spirit. Amen. 

A Prayer For Our Friends

O God, who, by the grace of the Holy Spirit, hast poured into the hearts of Thy faithful the gifts of charity; grant to Thy servants and handmaids, for whom we implore Thy mercy, health both of body and soul; that they may love Thee with all their strength, and cheerfully perform those things which are pleasing unto Thee. Amen. 

A Prayer For Our Enemies

O God, the lover and preserver of peace and charity; grant unto all our enemies peace and true charity; give them remission of all theirs sins, and by Thy power deliver us from their snares. Amen. 

A Prayer Before Study

Incomprehensible Creator, the true Fountain of light and only Author of all knowledge; vouchsafe, we beseech Thee, to enlighten our understandings, and to remove from us all darkness of sin and ignorance. Thou, who makest eloquent the tongues of those that want utterance, direct our tongues, and pour on our lips the grace of Thy blessing. Give us a diligent and obedient spirit, quickness of apprehension, capacity of retaining, and the powerful assistance of Thy holy grace; that what we hear or learn we may apply to Thy honor and the eternal salvation of our own souls. Amen.

A Prayer for Study 

Bestow on me, O Lord, my God, understanding to know Thee, diligence to seek Thee, wisdom to find Thee, a life and conversation which may please Thee, perseverance in waiting patiently for Thee, and a hope which may embrace Thee at the last. Grant me to be pierced with compunction by Thy sorrows through true repentance, to improve all Thy gifts and benefits during this my pilgrimage through Thy grace, and so at length to enter into Thy full and consummate joy in Thy glory. Who livest and reignest God, forever and ever. Amen. 

A Prayer For The Gift Of Continence

Inflame, O Lord, our reins and our hearts with the fire of the Holy Spirit: that we may serve Thee with a chaste body, and please Thee with a pure mind. Amen.  

A Prayer For The Gift Of Humility

O God, who, resistest the proud, and givest grace to the humble: grant us the virtue of true humility, whereof Thine Only-begotten showed in Himself a pattern for Thy faithful; that we may never by our pride provoke Thine anger, but rather by our meekness receive the riches of Thy grace. Amen. 

A Prayer For The Gift Of Patience

O God, who didst crush the pride of the enemy by the long suffering of Thine Only-begotten Son: grant, we beseech Thee, that we may worthily recall those things which in His tender love He bore for us; and thus following His example may patiently endure all our adversities. Amen. 

A Prayer For The Gift Of Charity

O God, who makest all things to work together for good unto those who love Thee: give to our hearts the lasting affection of Thy love; that such desires as are inspired by Thee may never be changed by any temptation. Amen.  

A Prayer For Those At Sea

O God, who didst bring our fathers through the Red Sea, and bear them through the great waters singing praises unto Thy name: we humbly beseech Thee to vouchsafe to turn away all adversities from Thy servants at sea, and to bring them with a calm voyage unto the haven where they would be. Amen. 

A Prayer In Times Of Threatened Calamity

O Jesus Christ, we call upon Thee, Holy, Immortal God. Have mercy upon us and upon all men. Purify us by Thy holy Blood, forgive us by Thy holy blood, save us by Thy holy Blood, now and forever. Amen. 

A Prayer For All Things Necessary To Salvation (A Universal Prayer)

O my God, I believe in Thee; do Thou strengthen my faith. All my hopes are in Thee; do Thou secure them. I love Thee; teach me to love Thee daily and more. I am sorry that I have offended Thee; do Thou increase my sorrow.

I adore Thee as my first beginning; I aspire after Thee as my last end. I give Thee thanks as my constant benefactor; I call upon Thee as my sovereign protector. 

Vouchsafe, O my God, to conduct me by Thy wisdom, to restrain me by Thy justice, to comfort me by Thy mercy, to defend me by Thy power.

To Thee I desire to consecrate all my thoughts, words, actions, and sufferings; that henceforward I may think of Thee, speak of Thee, refer all my actions to Thy greater glory, and suffer willingly whatever Thou shalt appoint.

Lord, I desire that in all things Thy will may be done, because it is Thy will, and in the manner that Thou willest.

I beg of Thee to enlighten my understanding, to inflame my will, to purify my body, and to sanctify my souls.

Give me strength, O my God, to expiate my offenses, to overcome my temptations, to subdue my passions, and to acquire the virtues proper for my state.

Fill my heart with tender affection for Thy goodness, hatred of my faults, love of my neighbor, and contempt of the world.

Let me always remember to be submissive to my superiors, courteous to my inferiors, faithful to my friends, and charitable to my enemies.

Assist me to overcome sensuality by mortification, avarice by alms-deeds, anger by meekness, and tepidity by devotion.

O my God, make me prudent in my undertakings, courageous in dangers, patient in affliction, and humble in prosperity.

Grant that I may be ever attentive at my prayers, temperate at my meals, diligent in my employments, and constant in my resolutions.

Let my conscience be ever upright and pure, my exterior modest, my conversation edifying, and my deportment regular.

Assist me, that I may continually labor to overcome nature, to correspond with Thy grace to keep Thy commandments, and to work out my salvation.

Discover to me, O my God, the nothingness of this world, the greatness of heaven, the shortness of time, and the length of eternity.

Grant that I may prepare for death; that I may fear Thy judgments, escape hell and in the end obtain heaven; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Prayer During Hurricane Season

O Heavenly Father, all the elements of nature obey Your commands, including hurricanes. Calm the storms that threaten us and turn our fear of Your power into praise of Your goodness.

Grant this through Our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever. Amen.  

Prayer for Social Justice

Almighty and eternal God, may your grace enkindle in all of us a love for the many unfortunate people whom poverty and misery reduce to a condition of life unworthy of human beings. 

Arouse in the hearts of those who call you Father a hunger and thirst for social justice and for fraternal charity in deeds and in truth. Amen.

Social Justice Prayer

Grant, O Lord, peace to souls, peace to families, peace to our country and peace among nations. Amen. 

Grant, O God, that your holy and life-giving Spirit may so move every human heart, that barriers which divide us may crumble, suspicions disappear, and hatreds cease; that our divisions being healed, we may live in justice and peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Grace for a Thanksgiving Meal

Loving God, we thank you for all you have given us, family and friends, elders and children, loved ones to share the good times and the hard times, and the freedom to make of our lives what we choose.

At this Thanksgiving meal, we thank you for the gift of life, we remember those who hunger and thirst, and we ask your continued blessings for all whose love we share. Amen. 

Blessing of the Christmas Tree 

Dear God, two thousand years ago, you brought your son, Jesus, into this world to teach us the power of love and sacrifice. As we raise this tree, we remember his birth and the meaning of his life for us.

Bless this tree as a symbol of our celebration of Jesus' birth and our gratitude for his sacrifice. May the joy this tree brings and the gifts we place under it remind us of the many gifts you have given us.

We ask your blessings upon our loved ones, this day and always. Amen. 

Prayer for a New Year 

Creator God, the wheel is turning, a new year beginning, reminding us of our place in time. We are part of this world you made, not as separate bits and pieces but as part of the beautiful wholeness of your plan.

Our strength is from your mountains, our patience from your lakes, and our love is from our brothers and sisters with whom we share this world. As we face this year, help us in all we do to better understand our part in your miracle of creation, and to make this world a better place, now and forever. Amen.

Easter Morning Prayer 

Risen Jesus, a new day is born. It is your gift to us. In giving your life, you gave willingly what we could never ask. And, in so doing, you taught your world the meaning of love.

You gave us a new beginning. You made us a resurrection people. You brought sunshine to our lives. We pray to be worthy of your sacrifice and your feeling for us.  

A Mother's Day Prayer 

Mary, mother of Jesus, woman of Providence, you formed your child's faith and led him to his destiny. Living your life in a real world, as a real woman, you became a model for all women.

This special day, as in all the days of my life, I ask blessings for my mother (mention name) and for all women in my life whose own faith and care have been a life-long gift to me. Amen.  

A Prayer for Father's Day 

St. Joseph, through your goodness, faith and quiet sacrifice, you taught the meaning of fatherhood. You offered guidance and show the way.

Thank you for those who have brought fatherhood into my life, especially for (mention name). I turn to you today, asking that you seek blessings for my own father and for all men who have touched my life. Amen. 

All Souls Remembrance 

Loving God, a candle burns in my heart and warms my soul. It never flickers. It never wanes. It is the memory of those I love who are now at home with you. I ask you to keep them close to your heart. Keep them in the bright flame of your love.

As I prepare for my own journey, help me to understand death as but a doorway to new and eternal life. Amen. 

Prayer in Time of Sickness

O Jesus, You suffered and died for us; you understand suffering; Teach me to understand my suffering as You do; To bear it in union with You; To offer it with You to atone for my sins and to bring Your grace to souls in need. Calm my fears; increase my trust. May I gladly accept Your holy will and become more like You in trial. If it be Your will, restore me to health so that I may work for Your honor and glory and the salvation of all men. Amen.

Mary, help of the sick, pray for me.

Prayer when Hospitalized

Jesus, I give You all those parts of my body which have suffered from illness. You know what it is like to endure pain. Let me see how You reshape and make that part of my body new, just as You and Your Father fashioned me with such exacting precious precision at the moment of my conception.

Give Your gift of wisdom to my Physician that He may be guided by the Holy Spirit in all He does.

Bless, too, my medication and my nurses so that their hands will become Your hands as they touch me. Amen.

Before an Operation

Loving Father, I entrust myself to Your care this day; guide with wisdom and skill the minds and hands of those who minister in Your name; and grant that every cause of illness being removed, I may be restored to soundness of health and learn to live in more perfect harmony with You and with my fellow man, through Jesus Christ. Amen.

Into Your hands I commend my body and my soul. Amen.

After an Operation

Blessed Savior, I thank You that this operation is safely past, and now I rest in Your abiding presence, relaxing every tension, releasing every care and anxiety, receiving more and more of Your healing life into every part of my being; in moments of pain I turn to You for strength, in times of loneliness, I feel Your loving nearness; and then grant that Your life and love and joy my flow through me for the healing of others in Your name. Amen.

Prayers for Healing

Lord, look upon me with the eyes of Your mercy, may Your healing hand rest upon me, may Your life-giving powers flow into every cell of my body and into the depths of my souls, cleansing, purifying, restoring me to wholeness and strength for service in Your Kingdom. Amen.

O God, who art the only source of health and healing, the spirit of calm, and the central peace of this universe, grant unto me such a consciousness of Your in-dwelling and surrounding presence, that I may permit You to give me health and strength and peace, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

A Prayer for Those in Stress 

God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change...Courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference.

A Prayer for Those in Temptation 

Let me not deceive myself...I know what I am considering is wrong. Let me not be swept away by its immediate attraction.

A Prayer for Those Who need Courage 

Dear Lord, teach me to be generous; To give and not count the cost; To fight and not to heed the wounds; To work and ask for no reward, Save that of knowing I am doing Your will. Amen.

Prayer to Redeem Lost Time (St. Teresa of Avila)

O my God! Sources of all mercy! I acknowledge Your sovereign power. While recalling the wasted years that are past, I believe that You, Lord, can in an instant turn this loss to gain. Miserable as I am, yet I firmly believe that You can do all things. Please restore to me the time lost, giving me Your grace, both now and in the future, that I may appear before You in "wedding garments." Amen.

Prayer for Peace

Grant peace, O Lord, in our days, for there is none other to fight for us, but Thou, our God.

O God, from whom all holy desires, right counsels and just works, grant to Thy servants that peace which the world cannot give; that our hearts, being intent upon Thy commandments and the fear of our enemies taken away, the times, through Thy protection, may be peaceful. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Prayer for Safe Travel

Be nigh to our prayers, O Lord: they path of Thy servants do Thou appoint towards safety and success, that in every change of ways and days, they may be shielded always with Thy might. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

A Prayer Before Study

Incomprehensible Creator, the true Fountain of light and only Author of all knowledge; vouchsafe, we beseech Thee, to enlighten our understandings, and to remove from us all darkness of sin and ignorance. Thou, who makest eloquent the tongues of those that want utterance, direct our tongues, and pour on our lips the grace of Thy blessing. Give us a diligent and obedient spirit, quickness of apprehension, capacity of retaining, and the powerful assistance of Thy holy grace; that what we hear or learn we may apply to Thy honor and the eternal salvation of our own souls. Amen.

A Prayer for Study 

Bestow on me, O Lord, my God, understanding to know Thee, diligence to seek Thee, wisdom to find Thee, a life and conversation which may please Thee, perseverance in waiting patiently for Thee, and a hope which may embrace Thee at the last. Grant me to be pierced with compunction by Thy sorrows through true repentance, to improve all Thy gifts and benefits during this my pilgrimage through Thy grace, and so at length to enter into Thy full and consummate joy in Thy glory. Who livest and reignest God, forever and ever. Amen.   

A Prayer in any Tribulation 

O Almighty God, despise not Thy people who cry unto Thee in their affliction; but, for the glory of Thy name, turn away Thine anger, and help us in our tribulations. Amen.