Appendix 2: Pray Without Ceasing

While I cannot claim to pray without ceasing on any day of the week, I composed these prayers, based upon tradition, for my own use. If you like them, and find them useful, feel free to adopt them. If not, you can always make up your own prayers. Of course, you could simply go through your day saying the short Jesus prayer, as the Orthodox do. You don't have to be Orthodox to follow their tradition, nor Catholic to pray the Rosary. 

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Blessed art thou, Adonai our God, Creator & Ruler of the Cosmos. Set us free from the inclination to sin, and shelter us from the troubles of this world.   

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner. Help me to amend my ways, and lead me to follow thy path. Lord, teach me thy Way of Truth, and let me share thy Life, now and forever. Amen. 

O Holy Spirit, Voice of Grace, come dwell in my heart and enlighten my mind. Lead me surely so that I may live and pray in accord with thy will. 

Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and always. Ask that we may be granted unwavering faith in Jesus, and be counted worthy of eternal life. 

O blessed Saints in Heaven, pray for us poor sinners who still stumble, that we may clearly see our paths, to be a blessing to others and always follow what is right. 

Happy angels and archangels in Heaven, Hosts, Powers, Dominions and Principalities, guard us who believe, even if we wander, and shield us from all of the trials, deceptions, temptations and snares of the Evil One. 

Beloved Lord, our Father, God, 

In times of distress we come to Thee, asking for your comfort and protection from the ills and troubles of this world, for ourselves, our families, and all our friends. We pray also for those working to preserve the health, supply, safety, and faith of our community. We ask that you continue to care for us, to shepherd and protect us even under stormy and dark skies. Grant us ever deeper faith, so that we may embrace the hope of rescue, and the reality of your presence here with us. 

We ask in Jesus' name, Amen.

Dearest Lord Jesus, 

Please heal our nation, and the whole world. Give us worthy leaders of faith, who follow closely after you, and give you glory. Protect our people from the works of Satan, and defend us from our enemies in times of strife. Encourage us to always seek justice, virtue and righteousness in both our public and our private lives. Bless us with your holy wisdom, remind us to preserve our beloved homelands, and be a Light shining before us, helping us to always choose the right paths. 

We love you, and we praise you. Amen. 

Holy Father,

May there soon be peace and justice, 

with love and reconciliation for all 

who abide in Jerusalem, your Holy City. 

May your Word lead them all to follow 

the Way, the Truth and the Life, 

and may they give you all the glory. 

Oh, my Jesus! 

Forgive us our sins. 

Save us from the fires of Hell. 

Lead all souls to Heaven, 

Especially those who most need thy mercy. 

Act of Contrition:

My Lord and my God! 

Have mercy on me, a sinner! 

Grant me perfect contrition for all my sins. I have failed you, and betrayed your love, and I am deeply sorrowful. I am appalled by the way I have caused you to suffer on the cross, and I promise to do my best to avoid future sins. My only deepest desire is to be with you, to know you, and to please you. Please, write your words upon my heart, and dwell within me, conjoined to my soul. 

My Lord Jesus Christ, Amen. 

Grant me, O Lord my God, 

a mind to know you, 

a heart to seek you, 

wisdom to find you, 

conduct pleasing to you, 

faithful perseverance awaiting you,

and a hope of finally embracing you.

Amen.

    - St. Thomas Aquinas    

O' my Jesus, 

Grant me the grace I need 

to take up my own cross. 

Help me to follow in your footsteps. 

I only ask that you remember me 

when you return to us 

with your Kingdom. 

And if it be thy will, 

may I share in your risen glory, 

and sit to listen at your feet. 

Amen. 

Oh Gracious Lord, bless me always with your graces, that I may grow in virtue and faithfulness. Let me be ever ready to accept your gifts, so that I will be sooner transformed, and become more and more alike to your Radiant Love. And let those graces that others fail to accept flow into my heart to reveal your perfect Presence. In Jesus' name, Amen. 

Oh, My Lord, 

Thou hast given so much to me! 

Give me one thing more: a grateful heart. 

Not thankful when it pleases me, 

as if thy blessings had spare days, 

but such a heart 

whose pulse may be thy praise. 

Amen

   - George Herbert 

"Everything is possible for one who has faith." Lord Jesus, I do believe. Help my unbelief! 

Help me to overcome my doubts, 

and to understand your ways. 

Bless me often, Lord, 

and show me how you walk with me.

Shower me with your grace, 

so my faith will continually grow. 

In Thine own Name, I dare to pray, 

my Lord Jesus Christ. 

Amen. 

 

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God, come! Dwell always in my heart, and open my lips. Help me to proclaim your Gospel and that of the Father's Kingdom as well as I am able, and may I also be found worthy to share in the glories of Heaven. Amen.  

   

Refugio 

Beneath thy merciful compassion 

We fly for refuge, 

O' Holy Mother of God. 

Do not despise our petitions 

In our times of great need, 

But deliver us always 

From all dangers.

O' pure, O' glorious, 

O' Blessed Virgin Mary, 

Recommend us to thy Son, 

As we are in distress.

A prayer for Jesus' wounded shoulder: 

      O Loving Jesus, meek Lamb of God, I am a miserable sinner, and I am truly sorry for having contributed to your suffering. Indeed, I shudder to contemplate the pain you endured to carry the cross on my behalf. I salute you and worship you as I think of the most grievous and Sacred Wound of your Holy Shoulder on which you bore such a heavy Cross for us. I know how its rough and splintered edges cut deeply, tearing your flesh and laying bare your bones; how it inflicted anguish greater than any of the other wounds on your most Blessed and Sacred Body. I adore Thee, O Jesus Most Sorrowful. I praise and glorify Thee, and give Thee thanks for this most sacred and painful wound. I beg Thee, through that exceeding pain and by the crushing burden of thy Heavy Cross, to be merciful to me, a sinner. Forgive me, Lord Jesus, all of my sins, both venial and mortal, and lead me ever onward toward Heaven. If it be thy Will, I too shall follow along the Way of thy Cross, in my own unworthy imitation of Thee, for the salvation of those whom you call out from the world. Amen.

(From a prayer by St. Bernard of Clairvaux)

Grace for our daily meals: 

   + In nomine Patri, et Filii, et Spiritus Sancti.

   Bless us, O Lord, for we are ever grateful for thine abundant gifts. 

   Bless this food which we are about to receive to our service, and bless us also to thy service. We give Thee thanks for all of thy benefits, and for the daily care through which Thou dost graciously supply our needs. We ask also, Lord, that you provide sustenance for those who lack the means to provide for themselves. Give them food and clothing, and shelter them from the world's hardships.

   We ask further, Lord, for thy mercy, guidance, support and reassurance for all those friends and acquaintances who have asked us to keep them in our prayers. Watch over them, Lord, and be mindful of their cares and provide for their needs. 

   Remember also, O Lord, thy faithful departed. May they rest in peace, certain in the knowledge of the resurrection, and assured of welcome into thy heavenly Kingdom. 

   We dare to approach Thee, Father, through the infinite mercy and sacrificial love of thy Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with Thee forever. 

   Amen. + 

Prayer before the Holy Face of Jesus: 

     O Holy Face of my sweet Jesus, living and eternal expression of Love and of the divine martyrdom suffered for the redemption of mankind, I adore Thee and love Thee. Today and always, I consecrate to Thee my heart and my whole being. 

     By the most pure hands of thy Mother, our Immaculate Queen, I offer Thee my prayers, actions and works of this day, and ask only for the promise of thy mercy. 

     If Thou dost will, make of me thy true apostle, that I may help others to recognize thy Presence in the world. Yet, if I am not able to accomplish great things, grant me the humility to accept simplicity. 

     Impress your beloved Face on my heart, so that I may see Thee more clearly, love Thee more dearly, and follow Thee more nearly with each passing day.

     Amen. 

Anima Christi

Soul of Christ, sanctify me. 

Body of Christ, save me. 

Blood of Christ, inebriate me. 

Water from the side of Christ, wash me. 

Passion of Christ, strengthen me.

O good Jesus, hear me. 

Within your wounds, conceal me. 

Let me never be separated from you. 

From the malignant enemy, defend me. 

In the hour of my death, call me, 

And bid me come to you, 

That with your saints I may praise you, 

Forever and ever. 

Amen.

Prayer of St. Getrude the Great 

"Eternal Father, I offer Thee the Most Precious Blood of thy Divine Son, Jesus, in union with the Masses said today throughout the whole world, for all the holy Souls in Purgatory. Amen." (Our Lord promised that this prayer releases 1,000 souls from Purgatory each time it is said.)

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 clemency 

hear and answer me.

Amen. 

Regina Caeli 

Queen of Heaven, rejoice! 

The Son whom you were privileged to bear, 

has risen as He said! 

Alleluia! Alleluia! 

Pray to God for us, Blessed Mother, 

Intercede that we may receive True Life. 

Rejoice and be glad, Virgin Mary, 

For the Lord has truly risen! 

Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!