catholic Beliefs
Prayer
Prayer in the Catholic Life
Prayer is our communion with God. It can be public or private, spoken or silent. The Psalms, prayers that we sing, have been at the heart of the Church’s communal prayer since the earliest days. Prayer is how we deepen our relationship with a God who loves us and desires to be close to us.
Jesus shows us the importance of prayer. He often withdrew to pray, morning and night, during critical moments, and before ministering to others. Following His example, prayer becomes a vital part of a full Catholic life.
The Mass is the Church’s central communal prayer, and we also treasure traditional prayers like: Grace Before Meals, Glory to the Father, The Lord’s Prayer, Hail Mary, Act of Contrition, and Hail, Holy Queen.
Prayer can also be personal and creative. Speak to God daily in your own words, practice silent meditation, or try Lectio Divina—praying with Scripture by reading, reflecting, and listening for God’s message.
Keeping a prayer journal can help you record intentions, reflections, and experiences, making your prayer life more meaningful.
No matter the form, prayer is our lifeline to God, a source of strength, peace, and joy.
Traditional and foundational prayers are as follows:
Grace before Meals
Bless us, O Lord, and these your gifts which we are about to receive from your goodness, through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Glory to the Father
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer
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 you. Blessed are you among women; and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
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. Our Savior Jesus Christ suffered and died for us. In his name, my God, have mercy.
Hail, Holy Queen
Hail, holy Queen, Mother of mercy, hail, our life, our sweetness, and our hope. To you we cry, the children of Eve; to you we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this land of exile. Turn, then, most gracious advocate, your eyes of mercy toward us; lead us home at last and show us the blessed fruit of your womb, Jesus: O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary.