Prayers Throughout the Day
Prayer is both a gift of grace and a determined response on our part. It always presupposes effort. The great figures of prayer of the Old Covenant before Christ, as well as the Mother of God, the saints, and he himself, all teach us this: prayer is a battle. Against whom? Against ourselves and against the wiles of the tempter who does all he can to turn man away from prayer, away from union with God. We pray as we live, because we live as we pray. If we do not want to act habitually according to the Spirit of Christ, neither can we pray habitually in his name. The "spiritual battle" of the Christian's new life is inseparable from the battle of prayer.
- CCC, 2725
Prayer Before Any Work
Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of Thy faithful and kindle in them the fire of thy love. Send forth Thy spirit, and they shall be created. And Thou shalt renew the face of the earth.
Let us pray. O God, Who hast taught the hearts of the faithful by the light of the Holy Spirit, grant that by the gift of the same Spirit we may be always truly wise and ever rejoice in His consolation. Through Christ our Lord.
Prayer After Any Work
We fly to thy patronage, O holy Mother of God: despise not our petitions in our necessities, but deliver us from all dangers, O ever glorious and blessed Virgin!
May the divine assistance remain always with us!
Grace Before Meals
Bless us, O Lord, and these Thy gifts, which we are about to receive from Thy bounty. Through Christ our Lord.
Grace After Meals
We give Thee thanks, almighty God, for all Thy benefits, Who livest and reignest, world without end.
Prayer for the Faithful Departed
O God! The Creator and Redeemer of all the faithful, grant to the souls of Thy servants, departed the remission of all their sins: that through pious supplications they may obtain that pardon which they have always desired: Who livest and reignest world without end.
Prayer for a Happy Death
O God, WHo hast doomed all men to die, but hast concealed from all the hour of their death, grant that I may pass my days in the practice of holiness and justice, and that I may deserve to quit this world in the peace of a good conscience, and in the embraces of Thy love. Through Christ our Lord.
Prayer for Protection During the Night
Angel of God, to whose holy care I am committed by the divine mercy, enlighten, defend, and protect me this night from all sin and danger. Amen.
Visit, we beseech Thee, O Lord, this habitation, and drive from it all the snares of the enemy. Let Thy holy Angels dwell herein to preserve us in peace; and may Thy blessing be upon us for ever, through Christ our Lord. Amen.
God the Father, bless us; Jesus Christ, defend and keep us; the virtue of the Holy Ghost enlighten and sanctify us this night and forever; and may the souls of the faithful departed rest in peace. Amen.
Bless, O Lord, the repose I am going to take in order to renew my strength, that I may be better able to serve Thee. O all ye Saints and Angels! but chiefly thou, O Mother of God! intercede for me this night and during the rest of my life, but particularly at the hour of my death.
May the divine assistance remain always with us.
Canticle of Simeon
Now Thou dost dismiss Thy servant, O Lord, according to Thy word in peace. Because my eyes have seen Thy salvation which Thou hast prepared before the face of all peoples: A light to the revelation of the Gentiles and the glory of Thy people Israel.