Prayer for persecuted Christians

Father in Heaven, you make your sun shine on good and bad alike. You son Jesus Christ died for us all and in his glorious Resurrection. He still retains the five wounds of his Passion. With his divine power he now sustains all those who suffer persecution and martyrdom for the sake of their fidelity to the faith of the Church. Merciful and mighty Father, do not allow Cain to return again to murder helpless and innocent Abel.

May persecuted Christians around the world remain, like Mary, their Mother, together at the foot of the cross of Christ our divine master, Comfort those menaced by violence and those oppressed by uncertainty.

May your Holy Spirit of love make fruitful the witness and the blood of those who die forgiving.

Father, forgive those who persecute your servants; for they know not what they do. Amen.

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Prayer for a Holy Death

O Christ, let me confess Your name with my last breath. In Your great mercy receive me and do not disappoint me in my hope. Open the gates of life for me, and let the prince of darkness have no power over me. Protect me by Your kindness, shield me with Your might, and lead me by Your right hand to the place of refreshment, the tabernacle You have prepared for Your servants and for those who revere You. Amen.

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Prayer for those making a journey

My holy Angel Guardian, ask the Lord to bless the journey which I undertake, that it may profit the health of my soul and body; that I may reach its end, and that, returning safe and sound, I may find my family in good health. Do thou guard, guide and preserve us. Amen.

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Prayer before a crucifix

Good and gentle Jesus, I kneel before you, I see and ponder your five wounds. My eyes behold what David prophesied about you: “They have pierced my hands and my feet; they have numbered all my bones”.

Imprint on me this image of yourself. Fulfill the deep desires of my heart. Give me faith, hope and love, repentance for my sins, and the strength to serve your people with respect and love. Amen.

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Prayer – Visit this house

Visit this house, we beg you, Lord, and banish from it the deadly power of the evil one. May your holy angels dwell here to keep us in peace, and may your blessing be always upon us. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

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Prayer of thanksgiving

Dear Lord, I am grateful that my loved ones have had this day together, with ample food and shelter, and with the love of one another to lighten the day’s burdens and magnify the day’s Joys. May we truly forgive one another’s failings – the unkind words or forgotten thank you – that are not so important in the long run. May we have courage to discuss the things that are important to us.

I thank You for all the experiences this day has brought. May I remember these pleasant moments for times when I need encouragement. Help me to grow past my mistakes and to develop strength for future challenges. I ask You to bless and protect my home and all who are dear to me. Amen.

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Prayer – Healing in the family – special intention

I pray to You, O Lord, for a very special intention: (name concern). You promised us that whatever we ask for in Your name will be granted. I, for my part, will do what I can, Lord, but without Your help, I can accomplish nothing. Grant that my will my always be one with Yours. Amen.

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Prayer for parents during difficult times

Lord, seeing my parents grow older has been hard for me. I struggle to retain my view of them as they were when I was young. They seemed so strong then, able to work endlessly, to love completely, to give selflessly. I made demands of them then, as does any child, sometimes being unreasonable, unappreciative, and selfish. Now the tables are turned. My parents seem set in their ways, unwilling to bend much, unable to give much. Their bodies are less strong, and their energy limited. This is my time to show love for them – to overlook their moods, to respect their independence.

I pray for my parents, my lifelong friends. May they be comforted with Your healing, solace, and strength. Help all of us to be patient and to love one another in the understanding, undemanding way that You love each of us. Amen.

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Prayer of a single parent

It is late, Lord, and yet I sit here, trying to rally strength for tomorrow. I feel burdened as a single parent. The pressure of juggling work, home, school, and sitter schedules leaves little time. Somewhere in the middle I am lost, a wheel with a hundred spokes, each pulling me and demanding comfort, support, and attention. I am weighed down with guilt about the job I am doing. Refusing demands for material things is difficult, but refusing demands for my time is worse. Give me the courage to persist in this difficult task of parenting, Make me realistic in what I expect of myself and others. Nurture me and love me, Lord. Let me know You are with me in all my stumblings, in all my days. Bring me and my loved ones through these hard times so that we may find happiness and peace. Amen.

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Prayers of parents for their children

Oh God, make me a better parent. Help me to understand my children, to listen patiently to what they have to say, and to answer all their questions wisely and kindly. Keep me from criticizing them so that they can learn from their strengths and weaknesses. Keep me from making all decisions so that they can learn to solve problems. Keep me from interfering so that they can develop responsibility. Yet, help me to have the courage to refuse giving in to what will harm them.

Help me to appreciate my children as they are, not as I would have them to be. When I grow discouraged, remind me that my child is Your child also. You abide in us always – sheltering us in Your care, surrounding us with Your goodness, and enfolding us in Your love. Amen.

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Prayer for spouses for one another

Jesus, You saw so much value in the love between husband and wife that You elevated married life to a sacramental level. I know that marriage is a sign of the love and unity that exists between You and Your Church.

Continue to give Your help to us that our love may grow day by day. Help us to realize that our love must overflow into the world around us. Give us strength in times of trial and difficulty; give us happiness, security, and the joy of seeing our love expand beyond ourselves to others. I ask this through the intercession of Mary and her beloved spouse, St. Joseph. Amen.

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Prayer for an end to domestic violence

Dear God, when I think of a family, I think of a mother, father, and children – all living together and sharing mutual love, concern, and kindness. For some, however, family life is filled with pain, anger, and fear. The harsh reality of physical, verbal, and emotional abuse that is present among so many families is a problem that must not be ignored. Father, guide all people so they do not resort to abuse of any kind in their relationships.

Give those who have difficulty coping with their responsibilities the wisdom and courage to recognize their problems and, when needed, to seek counseling. I ask You also to protect the children raised in abusive families from continuing the harmful cycle of abuse as they mature and become parents themselves. Amen.

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Prayer for a loved one with a drug or alcohol problem

Dear Lord, watching someone I love being destroyed by drugs and alcohol seems more that I can bear. My threatening, arguing, rationalizing, and controlling have proved futile. The problem continues, and I am discouraged and frustrated. I realize I am powerless over this problem and powerless over anyone’s life by my own.

Guide my words and action so that I will say and do all I can to hasten recovery. Help me to also detach so that my loved one may admit the problem and seek help. May I take care of what is my responsibility and no more. Above all, Lord, help me let go and let You take care of this and all else in my life. May I never lose faith in Your power. Amen.

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Prayer for easing of financial difficulties

Dear Lord, I have been taught that money is not what is most important, yet money is often a problem in my life. These latest financial difficulties are particularly hard. Help me to use money wisely – to resist buying what I do not need and to stop comparing my possessions with those of others. Grant me what I need in this life, so that I may care for myself and those dear to me, with enough to share with those less fortunate. Amen.

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Prayer for reconciliation with family members

Lord, Jesus, my family needs Your help today. We are searching for tranquility and peace and an end to the discord that keeps us apart. Give us strength and compassion to understand each other, wisdom and love to help one another, and the trust and patience we need to live peacefully together. I pray that our family might become a holy family – a family that works, prays, and plays together, a family that embraces peace and love, a family whose members are dedicated in love to each other and to God. Amen.

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Prayer for reconciliation between spouses

Until now, Lord, separation was something that happened to someone else, anyone else, except me. Yet here I am, my mind full of the details of separation, and my heart full of pain. If this separation is a mistake, guide my spouse and me toward the reconciliation which will allow us to work toward a successful marriage.

Although it seems difficult now, I know that we can work toward reconciliation if we remember the love that first brought us together. It will not be easy, but the home and life my spouse and I have built together might be able to be restored if we both are willing to try again, Guide us, Lord, with Your love and grace at this difficult time. Amen.

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Prayer of a Father or Mother

Father of mankind, you have given me these children, and entrusted them to my charge, to bring them up for you and to prepare them for everlasting life.

Help me with your heavenly grace to fulfill this sacred duty.

Teach me what to give, and what to withhold; when to reprove and when to forbear.

Make me gentle, yet firm; considerate and watchful. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

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Prayer when expecting a child

Father, we thank you for your marvelous gift; you have allowed us to share in your divine parenthood. During this time of waiting, we ask you to protect and nurture these first mysterious stirrings of life.

May our child come safely into the light of the world and to the new birth of baptism. Mother of God, we entrust our child to your loving heart. Amen.

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Prayer for the gift of a child

God our Father, all parenthood comes from you. Allow us to share in that power which is yours alone, and let us see in the child you send us a living sign of your presence in our home.

Bless our love and make it fruitful so that a new voice may join ours to praise you, a new heart to love you, and a new life to bear witness to you. Amen.

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Prayer of husband and wife

Father, all powerful and eternal God, we give you thanks and bless your holy name. You created mankind as man and woman and blessed their union, making them a help and support for each other.

Remember us today. Look kindly on us and grant that our love may be completely unselfish, a gift like that of Christ to his Church. May we live many years together in joy and peace, and may we always give you heartfelt praise through your Son and in the Holy Spirit.

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