Favourite Prayers

The Quadratic Equation

Please post your favourite prayers.

I'll get the ball rolling :

Prayer of Saint Francis of Assisi

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,
and it is in dying that we are born to Eternal Life.

Amen.

lmaopml

And the other St. Francis too...:)

I love both prayers, along with the 'Our Father', which I find is so beautiful in it's sincerity and simplicity...

Nice idea Quadratic....

My God, I love thee; not because
I hope for heaven thereby,
nor yet because who love thee not
are lost eternally.
Thou, O Lord Jesus, thou didst me
upon the cross embrace;
for me didst bear the nails and spear,
and manifold disgrace,

And griefs and torments numberless,
and sweat of agony;
yea, death itself; and all for me
who was thine enemy.
Then why, O blessed Jesus Christ,
should I not love thee well,
not for the sake of winning heaven,
nor any fear of hell;

not with the hope of gaining aught,
not seeking a reward;
but as thyself hast loved me,
O ever loving Lord!
So would I love thee, dearest Lord,
and in thy praise will sing,
solely because thou art my God
and my most loving King.

Shane St.

bit obvious and a bit of cliche.
but i love saying the hail mary

Keylem

THREE O'CLOCK PRAYER FOR MERCY

You expired, Jesus, but the source of life gushed forth for souls, and an ocean of mercy opened up for the whole world. O Fount of Life, unfathomable Divine Mercy, envelop the whole world and empty Yourself out upon us.

O Blood and Water, which gushed forth from the Heart of Jesus, as a fount of mercy for us, I trust in You.

Followed by the Chaplet of Divine Mercy!

homer911

Anything that comes from the heart and is not regurgitated without thought..

lmaopml

I love reading the Psalms too, and meditating on them....Psalm 19 is among my favourites.

I think the tone of my favourite prayers are the ones that express gratitude, love, praise, hope, etc. In fact, I don't think we even need words to pray always....sometimes I find myself saying an inner 'thankyou' at various times during the day for blessings, or an inner 'help me' during hard times - if that doesn't sound too weird..lol....

The Quadratic Equation

An excellent prayer for after communion, The Anima Christi prayer has been around since the 14th century.
It is still widely used after receiving the body and blood of Our Lord, Jesus Christ in Holy Communion.

The Anima Christi (The Soul of Christ)

Soul of Christ, sanctify me
Body of Christ, save me
Blood of Christ, inebriate me
Water from Christ's side, wash me
Passion of Christ, strengthen me
O good Jesus, hear me
Within Thy wounds hide me
Suffer me not to be separated from Thee
From the malicious enemy defend me
In the hour of my death call me
And bid me come unto Thee
That I may praise Thee with Thy saints
and with Thy angels
Forever and ever

Amen

Onesimus

Christ is among us!!!

My every hope I place in you, Mother of God, Keep me under your protection.


Come Holy Spirit, Come through the Powerful Intercession of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Your Beloved Bride, Amen!

Lord Jesus Christ, Son Of God, Have Mercy On Me The Sinner.

Memoare of St.Bernard.

Remember O Most Gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone whoever fled to thy protection, implored thy help or sought thy intercession was left unaided, inspired with this confidence I fly onto thee O Virgin of Virgins my Mother, to thee I come before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the word incarnate, despise not my petitions but here and answer me, Amen.

The Quadratic Equation

An excellent prayer to start each day :

Morning Offering

O Jesus through the Immaculate Heart of Mary,
I offer you my prayers, works, joys, sufferings of this day,
in union with the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass throughout the world.
I offer them for all the intentions of your Sacred Heart;
the salvation of souls, the reparation for sin, the reunion of Christians;
and in particular for the intentions of the Holy Father this month.
Amen.

It is a specific Morning offering to the Sacred Heart of Jesus was composed by Fr. Francois Xavier Gaulrelet in 1844. It reflects the Alliance of the Hearts of Jesus and Mary and is also an act of reparation for sins.

"All that we do without offering it to God is wasted" - St. John Vianney

lmaopml

This is a poem moreso than a prayer...but it's one I remember from years ago as a child in school, I think it's nice - it's loaded too...

The Difference.

I got up early one morning,
and rushed right into the day;
I had so much to do, that I didn't
have time to pray.

Problems just tumbled about me,
and heavier came each task.
I wondered, ''Why doesn't God help me?''...
He answered ''You didn't ask''.

I wanted to see joy and beauty,
but the day toiled on grey and bleak;
I wondered ''Why God didn't show me?''..
He answered ''You didn't seek''.

I tried to come into God's presence;
I used all the keys in the lock.
God gently chided,
''My child, you didn't knock.''

I woke up early this morning,
and paused before entering the day;
I had so much to do,
that I had to take time to pray.

Anonymous

lmaopml

This is a lovely thread, so just to keep it bumped up...

I love the 'Serenity' prayer too - it's been attributed to so many folk, but it's probably doing the rounds for a long time in various forms, and most likely the inspiration taken from Scripture..

Serenity

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

(short version)

..and extended...

Living one day at a time;
enjoying one moment at a time.
Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace.
Taking as He did, this sinful world
as it is, not as I would have it.
Trusting that He will make all things right
if I surrender to his will.

Amen.

Keylem

They're not prayers but they are two of my favourite verses. My dad and I used to recite the 1st one together, may he R.I.P.

I see His Blood upon the rose,
And in the stars the glory of His eyes.
His Body gleams amid eternal snows,
His tears fall from the skies.

I see His Face in every flower;
The thunder and singing of birds
Are but His Voice and carven by His power.
Rocks are His written words.

All pathways by His feet are worn,
His strong Heart stirs the ever-beating sea.
His crown of thorns is twined with every thorn,
His Cross is every tree.

(Josesph Mary Plunkett)



In everything both great and small;
We see the Hand of God in all;
And every day somewhere some place,
We see the likeness of His Face.

For who can watch a new day's birth;
Or touch the warm life-giving earth;
Or feel the softness of the breeze;
Or look at skies through lace trees;
And say they've never seen His Face,
Or looked upon His Throne of Grace.

(Helen Steiner Rice)

lmaopml

I like this too - It's a bit 'thee' and 'thou' (ish) - but I kinda like that too This is an oldie that my Mum liked too...

Come Holy Spirit, Creator Blest (Veni, Creator Spiritus)
Come, Holy Spirit, Creator blest,
and in our souls take up Thy rest;
come with Thy grace and heavenly aid
to fill the hearts which Thou hast made.
O comforter, to Thee we cry,
O heavenly gift of God Most High,
O fount of life and fire of love,
and sweet anointing from above.

Thou in Thy sevenfold gifts are known;
Thou, finger of God's hand we own;
Thou, promise of the Father, Thou
Who dost the tongue with power imbue.

Kindle our sense from above,
and make our hearts o'erflow with love;
with patience firm and virtue high
the weakness of our flesh supply.

Far from us drive the foe we dread,
and grant us Thy peace instead;
so shall we not, with Thee for guide,
turn from the path of life aside.

Oh, may Thy grace on us bestow
the Father and the Son to know;
and Thee, through endless times confessed,
of both the eternal Spirit blest.

Now to the Father and the Son,
Who rose from death, be glory given,
with Thou, O Holy Comforter,
henceforth by all in earth and heaven.

Amen.

lmaopml

At Mass earlier, some young adults due to make their Confirmation sang...the song was lovely! I remember it from many many years ago...

Actually, I think it's a universal praise of those who follow their vocation, so I thought it would be nice to bump this thread and thank those who follow a vocation no matter whom that are in Christ..

The Lyrics..

I, the Lord of sea and sky,
I have heard My people cry.
All who dwell in dark and sin,
My hand will save.
I who made the stars of night,
I will make their darkness bright.
Who will bear My light to them?
Whom shall I send?

Here I am Lord, Is it I Lord?
I have heard You calling in the night.
I will go Lord, if You lead me.
I will hold Your people in my heart.

I, the Lord of snow and rain,
I have born my peoples pain.
I have wept for love of them, They turn away.
I will break their hearts of stone,
Give them hearts for love alone.
I will speak My word to them,
Whom shall I send?

Here I am Lord, Is it I Lord?
I have heard You calling in the night.
I will go Lord, if You lead me.
I will hold Your people in my heart.

I, the Lord of wind and flame,
I will tend the poor and lame.
I will set a feast for them,
My hand will save
Finest bread I will provide,
Till their hearts be satisfied.
I will give My life to them,
Whom shall I send?

Here I am Lord, Is it I Lord?
I have heard You calling in the night.
I will go Lord, if You lead me.
I will hold Your people in my heart.

and a link on youtube to the song..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uk2CHhjlFj4

Thanks so much, to everybody with that lovely vocation of the Word.

The Quadratic Equation

^ ^ Thanks so much for posting that lmapml, that hymn takes me back, one of my favorites too, I had forgotten about it, you don't hear it much lately.

Composed by Daniel L. Schutte, an American composer of Catholic liturgical music and a contemporary Christian songwriter best known for composing 'Here I Am, Lord' (1981).

lmaopml

I am the Alpha and the Omega, says the Lord God, who is, who was, and who is to come the Almighty. - Revelations

Something - a glimpse, of what we understand of the Father.

God said to Moses, "I AM WHO I AM", and he said, "say this to the people of Israel, 'I AM, has sent me to you"' - Exodus

The Father is pure 'being' - how profound! I'm still in awe of these words..

Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and it will be opened to you - Luke

The Challenge, the promise; the gift is the Spirit, and the tremendous joy.




Yours O Lord is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, for all that is in the heavens and in the earth is Yours. Yours is the kingdom O Lord and you are exalted as head above all.

Our God reigns guys, all praise and thanks be to God, for the joy, and for giving us the opportunity of being and of seeking him in eachother and beyond, it's good to be alive, really fully alive.

gimmebroadband

Come Holy Spirit, Creator Blest (Veni, Creator Spiritus)

Come, Holy Spirit, Creator blest,
and in our souls take up Thy rest;
come with Thy grace and heavenly aid
to fill the hearts which Thou hast made.
O comforter, to Thee we cry,
O heavenly gift of God Most High,
O fount of life and fire of love,
and sweet anointing from above.

Thou in Thy sevenfold gifts are known;
Thou, finger of God's hand we own;
Thou, promise of the Father, Thou
Who dost the tongue with power imbue.

Kindle our sense from above,
and make our hearts o'erflow with love;
with patience firm and virtue high
the weakness of our flesh supply.

Far from us drive the foe we dread,
and grant us Thy peace instead;
so shall we not, with Thee for guide,
turn from the path of life aside.

Oh, may Thy grace on us bestow
the Father and the Son to know;
and Thee, through endless times confessed,
of both the eternal Spirit blest.

Now to the Father and the Son,
Who rose from death, be glory given,
with Thou, O Holy Comforter,
henceforth by all in earth and heaven. Amen.

gimmebroadband

This very special prayer was written by a devout woman named Ruth Merz from Cincinnati, Ohio. Ruth was the mother of eight children who was diagnosed with cancer, which eventually and sadly claimed her life. Unable to attend Mass because of her illness, she wrote this wonderful prayer. We hope that her words will convey special meaning to those who are ill and to their friends and families who care for them. Please feel free to share it with anyone that you feel might benefit from it.

SEND YOUR ANGEL TO MASS:

O’ Holy angel at my side, go to church for me,
Kneel in my place at Holy Mass where I desire to be.
At offertory in my stead, take all I am and own,
And place it as a sacrifice upon the Altar throne.
At Holy Consecration bell, adore with Seraph’s love,
My Jesus hidden in the Host, come down from Heaven above.
There pray for those I dearly love, and those that cause me grief,
That Jesus’ blood may cleanse all hearts, give suffering souls relief.
That when the priest Communion takes, then bring my Lord to me,
That His sweet heart may rest in mine, and I His temple be.
Pray that the sacrifice divine, may all man’s sin efface,
Then bring me Jesus’ blessing home, the pledge of every grace. Amen

Feathers

For morning (which I can never remember in full):

St. Patrick: wrote:

I arise today
through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity,
through the belief in the threeness,
through confession of the oneness
of the Creator of creation.

I arise today
through the strength of Christ's birth with His baptism,
through the strength of His crucifixion with His burial,
through the strength of His resurrection with His ascension,
through the strength of His descent for the judgment of doom.

I arise today
through the strength of the love of cherubim,
in obedience of angels,
in the service of archangels,
in hope of resurrection to meet with reward,
in prayers of patriarchs,
in predictions of prophets,
in preaching of apostles,
in faith of confessors,
in innocence of holy virgins,
in deeds of righteous men.

I arise today
through the strength of Heaven:
Light of sun,
radiance of moon,
splendor of fire,
speed of lightning,
swiftness of wind,
depth of sea,
stability of earth,
firmness of rock.

I arise today
through God's strength to pilot me:
God's might to uphold me,
God's wisdom to guide me,
God's eye to look before me,
God's ear to hear me,
God's word to speak for me,
God's hand to guard me,
God's way to lie before me,
God's shield to protect me,
God's host to save me

From snares of devils,
from temptations of vices,
from everyone who shall wish me ill,
afar and anear,
alone and in multitude.

I summon today all these powers between me and those evils,
against every cruel merciless power that may oppose my body and soul,
against incantations of false prophets,
against black laws of pagandom
against false laws of heretics,
against craft of idolatry,
against spells of witches and smiths and wizards,
against every knowledge that corrupts man's body and soul.

Christ to shield me today
against poison, against burning,
against drowning, against wounding,
so that there may come to me abundance of reward.

Christ with me,
Christ before me,
Christ behind me,
Christ in me,
Christ beneath me,
Christ above me,
Christ on my right,
Christ on my left,
Christ when I lie down,
Christ when I sit down,
Christ when I arise,
Christ in the heart of every man who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me,
Christ in every eye that sees me,
Christ in every ear that hears me.

I arise today
through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity,
through belief in the threeness,
through confession of the oneness,
of the Creator of creation.

And for evening:

May the Lord support us all the day long,
'til the shades lengthen and the evening falls,
and the busy world is hushed, and the fever of life is over, and our work is done.

Then in your mercy Lord, grant us a safe lodging,
A holy rest and peace, at the last.

gimmebroadband

Prayer before a crucifix!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aUa7NgDi8PA

lmaopml

Just thought it would be nice to bump this thread coming up to the festive season.

I love this 'Poem' / 'Prayer' of sorts.

It's by a lady called Joyce Kilmer - an old and new poet, but very simple in expressing something very true. It is simply - a lovely testament to a lovely person.

I THINK that I shall never see
A poem lovely as a tree.

A tree whose hungry mouth is prest
Against the sweet earth's flowing breast;

A tree that looks at God all day,
And lifts her leafy arms to pray;

A tree that may in summer wear
A nest of robins in her hair;

Upon whose bosom snow has lain;
Who intimately lives with rain.

Poems are made by fools like me,
But only God can make a tree.

Baggio1

Oh Glorious Archangel ST.Michael, defend us in the time of battle,
be our safeguard against the wickedness and snares of the devil and may God rebuke him we humbly pray, and do you by the power of God, thrust into hell satan and all demons who roam the earth for the ruination of souls .Amen

lmaopml

A Prayer.


Christ beside me, Christ before me,
Christ behind me King of my heart;
Christ within me, Christ below me,
Christ above me never to part.
Christ on my right hand, Christ on my left hand,
Christ all around me shield in strife;
Christ in my sleeping, Christ in my sitting,
Christ in my rising light of my life.

Christ beside me, Christ before me,
Christ behind me King of my heart;
Christ within me, Christ below me,
Christ above me never to part.

Another lovely prayer, with a lovely melody..An Hymn as gaeilge.

Ag Críost an síol, ag Críost an fómhar;
in iothlainn Dé go dtugtar sinn.
Ag Críost an mhuir, ag Críost an t-iasc;
líonta Dé go gcastar sinn.

Ó fhás go haois, ó aois go bás,
do dhá láimh, a Chríost, anall tharainn.

Ó bhás go críoch nach críoch ach athfhás,
i bParthas na ngrás go rabhaimid.

Lovely!








Ag Criost An Siol,

Ag Criost an Mhuir, ag Criost an t-iasc
With Christ of the sea, with Christ of the fishes

I lionta De go gcastar sinn,
In the lines of God may we be entwined.

O fhas go h-aois, is o aois go bas
From growth to age and from age to death

Do dha laimh a Chriost anall tharainn
Your two hands o Christ hither draw us.

O bhas go crioch, ni crioch ach athfhas
From death to the end, not the end, but all eternity

I bParrthas na nGrast go rabhaimid
In paradise of the blessed may we reside.

lmaopml

I hope people don't mind me resurrecting this thread....:D

I was at Mass earlier and started thinking about the Gospel readings....it was St. Thomas and the scars of Christ, and it made me think about the Crucifix and how we think of it, and how wonderful and unique Christianity is - and also brought to mind this poem/praise/prayer of sorts, that I remember thinking was pretty darn cool and insightful for me and really spoke to me.

It's by Edward Shillito - ( I would have liked to know more about him..) but this particular piece touched me.



If we have never sought, we seek Thee now;
Thine eyes burn through the dark, our only stars;
We must have sight of thorn-pricks on Thy brow,
We must have Thee, O Jesus of the Scars.

The heavens frighten us; they are too calm;
In all the universe we have no place.
Our wounds are hurting us; where is the balm?

Lord Jesus, by Thy Scars, we claim Thy grace.
If, when the doors are shut, Thou drawest near,
Only reveal those hands, that side of Thine;
We know to-day what wounds are, have no fear,
Show us Thy Scars, we know the countersign.

The other gods were strong; but Thou wast weak;
They rode, but Thou didst stumble to a throne;
But to our wounds only God’s wounds can speak,
And not a god has wounds, but Thou alone.

emuhead

Taize chant

The kingdom of God is justice and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.
Come, Lord, and open in us the gates of your kingdom.

Geomy

The Serenity Prayer is my Favorite prayer

lmaopml

The Psalms are the 'original' prayers - or at least origin of our hope in the well spring of prayer..One of the three Christian virtues is where 'hope' dwells. St. Paul says that 'faith, hope, and charity' are the highest of virtues - above all is love -

This Psalm is one of hope.

I like Psalm 126!

When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion,
we were like those who dream.
2 Then our mouth was filled with laughter,
and our tongue with shouts of joy;
then they said among the nations,
“The Lord has done great things for them.”
3 The Lord has done great things for us;
we are glad.
4 Restore our fortunes, O Lord,
like streams in the Negeb!
5 Those who sow in tears
shall reap with shouts of joy!
6 He who goes out weeping,
bearing the seed for sowing,
shall come home with shouts of joy,
bringing his sheaves with him.

It really puts in perspective that the Gospel, the Cross is foolishness to some - but resounds a great hope for others, if they listen.

For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength. 1 Corinthians 1:25

For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. Isaiah 55:9

I don't have to look too hard to see the truth here, that's why I sing, and have such a joy and confidence...(and bump this thread) :pac:

Considering we're hopelessly not represented, and the odd prayer does no harm imo.

DEFTLEFTHAND

'Make me a channel of your peace', a hymn which is sometimes read as a prayer. Beautiful words, it was recited at my grandfather's funeral.

lmaopml

''Let nothing disturb thee; Let nothing dismay thee; All things pass; God never changes. Patience attains all that it strives for. He who has God Finds he lacks nothing: God alone suffices.”

The wisdom of St. Teresa of Avila.



The 'Our Father' finds communion and a home without guile..in this prayer.

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. Amen.

St. Ignatius of Loyola.