A child’s thanksgiving for mothers

(Giles Harcourt)

Lord, we thank you for our mothers
and the gift of
their tenderness and understanding,
their patience and thoughtfulness,
their kindness and love.

We can be so wilful,
so thoughtless,
so impatient,
and so unkind;
for often we demand without grace
and receive without thanks
and always we expect more.
We expect our mothers to be there
to cater to our selfishness,
and then we wonder why
she gets tired and irritable
and thoroughly fed up.
Yet through all these things she loves us.

Lord, teach us to be thoughtful
and understanding and sensitive to our mother’s needs,
that we may ease her days
and increase her joy.
We ask this through the generous and loving example
of our saviour, Jesus Christ. Amen.

A Daily Prayer (by John Henry Newman)

May He support us all the day long, till the shades lengthen and the evening comes, and the busy world is hushed, and the fever of life is over, and our work is done. Then in His mercy may He give us a safe lodging, and a holy rest and peace at the last.

Amen.

A Prayer for The Future

Loving God,
each day as I step further into my future,
give me the courage, knowledge and
patience that I need on my journey.
Remind me that you always journey with me
and that you will never lead me into anything
that you won’t lead me through.
Thank you for the gift of my life.
May the way I live it be my gift to you –
with your love and guidance
In Jesus’ name. Amen

A Sick Person’s Morning Prayer

(From The Book of Common Prayer)

This is another day, O Lord. I know not what it will bring forth, but make me ready, Lord, for whatever it may be. If I am to stand up, help me to stand bravely. If I am to sit still, help me to sit quietly. If I am to lie low, help me to do it patiently. And if I am to do nothing, let me do it gallantly. Make these words more than words, and give me the Spirit of Jesus. Amen

Anima Christi (2)  Pope John XXII (translated by Blessed John Henry Newman)

Soul of Christ, be my sanctification,
Body of Christ, be my salvation,
Blood of Christ, fill my veins
Water from the side of Christ, wash out my stains.
May Christ’s Passion strengthen me,
O good Jesus, hear me.
In thy wounds I fain would hide,
Never to be parted from thy side.
Guard me when my foes assail me,
Call me when my life shall fail me.
Command me then to come to thee.
That I for all eternity
With thy saints may praise thee.

Amen.

Blessing to Brother Leo (St Francis of Assisi)

May God bless you and keep you.
May He show His face to you
and have compassion upon you.
May He turn His face toward you
and give you peace.

Amen.

Child’s Bedtime Prayer

Now I lay me down to sleep.
I pray the Lord my soul to keep.
If I should die before I wake,
I pray to God my soul to take.
If I should live for other days,
I pray the Lord to guide my ways.

Father, unto you I pray,
You have guarded me all day;
Safe I am while in your sight,
Safely let me sleep tonight.
Bless my friends, the whole world bless;
Help me to learn helpfulness;

Keep me ever in your sight;
So to all I say good night.

Amen.

Child’s Prayer to Find God in All Things

(Jared Kiley, St. Xavier High School Cincinnati, Ohio)

Under a leaf, in a snowflake
In a blade of grass, in a raindrop
All parts of nature

In your parents’ loving embrace
In the phone call from your grandparents
All family relationships

In working and sharing with others
In helping the unfortunate
All volunteering jobs

Where are you able to find God?

Lord, help me to find you in all ways and walks of life.

Amen.

Children’s Grace at Meals

Bless us O Lord as we sit together,
Bless the food we eat today,
Bless the hands that made the food,
Bless us O Lord.

Amen.

For children who live in fear

Oh God,
You are filled with tender love
for those who live in fear
– bless all children who live in fear;
afraid of someone at home;
afraid of someone at school;
afraid of a relation;
afraid of someone who has treated them wrongly.
Give all those children the wisdom
they need to know whom they can trust,
so that their fears can be heard,
and justice and truth prevail.
and then bring to their wounded minds and souls
the healing of your peace. Amen.

Forgiveness Prayer

(Rosamond Herklots)

Forgive us Lord, as we forgive, you taught us, Lord, to pray,
But you alone can grant us grace to live the words we say.

How can your pardon reach and bless the unforgiving heart,
That broods on wrongs and will not let old bitterness depart?

In blazing light your cross reveals the truth we dimly knew:
What trivial debts are owed to us, how great our debt to you!

Lord, cleanse the depths within our souls and bid resentment cease.
Then, bound to all in bonds of love, our lives will spread your peace.

Amen.

Give me, O Lord, a steadfast heart

Thomas Aquinas (1225-74)

Give me, O Lord,
a steadfast heart,
which no unworthy thought can drag downwards;
an unconquered heart,
which no tribulation can wear out;
an upright heart,
which no unworthy purpose may tempt aside.

Bestow upon me also,
O Lord my God,
understanding to know thee
diligence to seek thee,
wisdom to find thee,
and a faithfulness that may finally embrace thee;
through Jesus Chris our Lord.

Amen.

God be in my head (from The Book of Hours)

God be in my head, and in my undersatnding;
God be in my eyes, and in my looking;
God be in my mouth, and in my speaking;
God be in my heart, and in my thinking;
God be at mine end, and at my departing.

Grace at meals

Bless us, O Lord, and these your gifts, which we are about to receive from your bounty.

Through Christ our Lord.

Amen.

Guardian Angel Prayer

Angel of God, my guardian dear,
to whom God’s love commits me here,
ever this day be at my side,
to light and guard, to rule and guide.
Amen.

Holy Spirit Prayer of St Augustine

Breathe in me, O Holy Spirit,
That my thoughts may all be holy.
Act in me, O Holy Spirit,
That my work, too, may be holy.
Draw my heart, O Holy Spirit,
That I love but what is holy.
Strengthen me, O Holy Spirit,
To defend all that is holy.
Guard me, then, O Holy Spirit,
That I always may be holy

Amen,

Lead, Kindly Light

(“The Pillar of Cloud”, John Henry Cardinal Newman; last verse Edward Bickersteth, Bishop of Exeter)

Lead, Kindly Light, amidst th’encircling gloom,
Lead Thou me on!
The night is dark, and I am far from home,
Lead Thou me on!
Keep Thou my feet; I do not ask to see
The distant scene; one step enough for me.

I was not ever thus, nor prayed that Thou
Shouldst lead me on;
I loved to choose and see my path; but now
Lead Thou me on!
I loved the garish day, and, spite of fears,
Pride ruled my will. Remember not past years!

So long Thy power hath blest me, sure it still
Will lead me on.
O’er moor and fen, o’er crag and torrent, till
The night is gone,
And with the morn those angel faces smile,
Which I have loved long since, and lost awhile!

Meantime, along the narrow rugged path,
Thyself hast trod,
Lead, Saviour, lead me home in childlike faith,
Home to my God.
To rest forever after earthly strife
In the calm light of everlasting life.

Live Simply Prayer

Compassionate and loving God,
you created a beautiful world for us to share:
Give us the desire to live simply,
so that our lives show your generosity.
You made us responsible for the earth:
guide us so that those who come after us may enjoy your creation.

Amen.

Love One Another – A Coptic Prayer

God of love, you have given us a new commandment, that we should love one another;

we are unworthy of your love and wander away from you, but we pray that you will give us throughout our lives a mind forgetful of past ill-will, a pure conscience and a heart to love others even as you have loved us;

through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Night Prayer

(Thomas Ken, 1637-1711)
Glory to thee, my God, this night,
for all the blessings of the light;
keep me, O keep me, King of Kings,
beneath thine own almighty wings.

Offering

My Jesus, in the most holy Sacrament you have given yourself to me: accept in return all the senses of my body and all the faculties of my soul. Give me light and grace: light to know your holy will and grace to do it.

Amen.

Our Father

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.

Peace 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.

Prayer before a Crucifix (St Francis of Assisi)

Most High, glorious God,
enlighten the darkness of my heart
and give me true faith, certain hope and perfect charity,
sense and knowledge, Lord,
that I may carry out Your holy and true command.

Amen.

Prayer Before an Examination

(A Salesian Prayer)

Dear Lord, as I take this exam,
I thank you that my value
is not based on my performance,
but on your great love for me.

Come into my heart
so that we can walk
through this time together.

Help me, not only with this test,
but the many tests of life
that will surely come my way.

As I take this exam,
bring back to my mind
everything I studied
and be gracious
with what I have overlooked.

Help me to remain focused and calm,
confident in the facts
and in my ability,
and firm in the knowledge
that no matter what happens today
you are there with me always.

Amen.

Prayer before an operation

(from The Book of Common Prayer)

Strengthen your servant ______, O God, to do what (s)he has to do and bear what (s)he has to bear; that, accepting your healing gifts through the skill of surgeons and nurses, (s)he may be restored to usefulness in your world with a thankful heart; through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

Prayer before Examinations (Adrian Porter SJ )

Lord, as I prepare for this examination,
let your strength and your wisdom be present to me.
May I revise my work thoroughly.
May I understand what it is I have to know.
May my memory be reliable and orderly.
May I be calm and focused on the task ahead.
May I know and feel the love and support of my family and friends.
And may you, the author and creator of all things, enlighten me.
Through Christ our Lord.

Amen.

Prayer for a Happy Death

(John Henry Cardinal Newman)

Oh, my Lord and Saviour,
support me in that hour in the strong arms of Your Sacraments,
and by the fresh fragrance of Your consolations.
Let the absolving words be said over me,
and the holy oil sign and seal me,
and Your own Body be my food,
and Your Blood my sprinkling;
and let my sweet Mother, Mary, breathe on me,
and my Angel whisper peace to me,
and my glorious Saints smile upon me;
that in them all,
and through them all,
I may receive the gift of perseverance,
and die, as I desire to live,
in Your faith,
in Your Church,
in Your service,
and in Your love. Amen.

Prayer for a Sick Child

(from The Book of Common Prayer)

Heavenly Father, watch with us over your child ______, and grant that (s)he may be restored to that perfect health which it is yours alone to give; through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

Prayer For a Sick Child

God of love, ever caring, ever strong, stand by us in our time of need. Watch over your child _____ who is sick; look after her/him in every danger, and grant her/him your healing and peace. We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Prayer for a Sick Person

Merciful Lord of life and health, look on our beloved [——] who is sick. Renew her/his strength, and restore her/him to health according to your will. In time of weakness give her/him renewal of your Spirit and the upholding power of your love; and as all things work together for the good to them that love you, so we ask you to pour out your love in her/his heart so that out of this weakness s/he may grow stronger in your grace; through Jesus Christ our Lord.   Amen.

Prayer for Christlikeness

(John Henry Cardinal Newman)

Dear Jesus, help me to spread your fragrance everywhere I go;
Flood my soul with your spirit and life;
Penetrate and possess my whole being so completely
That all my life may be only a radiance of yours;
Shine through me and be so in me
That everyone with whom I come into contact
May feel your presence within me.
Let them look up and see no longer me—but only Jesus.

Amen.

Prayer for contentment with my lot

(after John Bunyan 1628-88, Pilgrim’s Progress)

Lord, help me to know that:
He who is down need fear no fall,
He that is low no pride;
He that is humble, ever shall
Have God to be his guide.
Make me content with what I have
Little be it or much;
And Lord, contentment ever crave
Because Thou savest such.

Prayer for Doctors and Nurses

(from The Book of Common Prayer)

Sanctify, O Lord, those whom you have called to the study and practice of the arts of healing, and to the prevention of disease and pain.   Strengthen them by your life-giving Spirit, that by their ministries the health of the community may be promoted and your creation glorified; through Jesus Christ our Lord.   Amen.

Prayer for Generosity (Jacques Sevin SJ after St Ignatius of Layola)

Lord, teach me to be generous:
to serve you as you deserve;
to give and not to count the cost;
to fight and not to heed the wounds;
to toil and not to seek to rest;
to labour and to ask for no reward
save that of knowing I do your will.
Amen.

Prayer for Peace

(Satish Kumar)

O, Lord
Lead me from Death to Life,
from Falsehood to Truth.
Lead me from Despair to Hope,
from Fear to Trust.
Lead me from Hate to Love,
from War to Peace.
Let Peace fill our Hearts,
our World, our Universe.

Amen.

Prayer for Peace and Justice

Lord,
lead us from death to life,
from falsehood to truth.
Lead us from despair to hope,
from fear to trust.
Let peace fill our hearts, our world and our universe.
Let us dream together, pray together and work together,
to build one world of peace and justice for all. Amen.

Prayer for Serenity

(Reinhold Niebuhr, 1892-1971)

God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,
the courage to change the things I can,
and the wisdom to know the difference;
living one day at a time, enjoying one moment at a time;
accepting hardships as a pathway to peace;
taking, as Jesus did, this sinful world as it is, not as I would have it;
trusting that You will make all things right if I surrender to Your will;
so that I may be reasonably happy in this life
and supremely happy with You forever in the next.

Amen.

Prayer for the Dead

Eternal rest grant unto them O Lord and let perpetual light shine upon them. May they rest in peace. Amen

Prayer for the Dead (Funeral Liturgy)

Lord, we entrust to your mercy, those who have died:
welcome them into your presence.
You loved them greatly in this life,
now give them happiness and peace for ever.
Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord.
And let perpetual light shine upon them.
May they rest in peace.

Amen.

Prayer for the dying

Go forth, O Christian soul, out of this world,
in the name of God the Father almighty, who created you;
in the name of Jesus Christ, the Son of the Living God, who suffered for you;
in the name of the Holy Spirit, who was given to you;
in the name of the holy and glorious Mary, Virgin Mother of God;
in the name of blessed Joseph;
in the name of the angels, archangels, thrones and dominations;
in the name of the patriarchs and prophets, of the holy apostles and evangelists,
of the holy martyrs, confessors, monks and hermits,
of the holy virgins and of all the saints of God;
may peace be yours this day,
and may your home be in heaven.
Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.

Prayer for the Holy Catholic Church

William Laud (1573-1645) Archbishop of Cantebury

Most gracious Father,
we most humbly beseech thee
for thy Holy Catholic Church.
Fill it with all truth;
in all truth with all peace.

Where it is corrupt, purge it;
where it is in error, direct it;
where anything is amiss, reform it;
where it is right, strengthen and confirm it;
where it is in want, furnish it;
where it is divided and rent asunder
make up the breaches of it,
O thou Holy One of Israel.

Amen.

Prayer for the needs of others

St Clement of Rome (Pope Clement I AD88-99)

We beg you, Lord,
to help and defend us.
Deliver the oppressed,
pity the insignificant,
raise the fallen,
show yourself to the needy,
heal the sick,
bring back those of your people
who have gone astray,
feed the hungry,
lift up the weak,
take off the prisoner’s chains.

May every nation come to know
that you alone are God,
that Jesus Christ is your child,
that we are your people,
the sheep that you pasture.

Amen.

Prayer for the needs of others

St Anselm (1033-1109)

We bring before Thee, O Lord,
the troubles and perils of peoples and nations,
the sighings of prisoners and captives,
the sorrows of the bereaved,
the necessities of strangers,
the helplessenss of the weak,
the despondency of the weary,
the failing powers of the aged.
O Lord, draw near to each,
for the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

Prayer for the Sick

Lord Jesus Christ, our Redeemer,
by the power of the Holy Spirit,
ease the sufferings of our sick sister/brother
and make her/him well again in mind and body.
In your loving kindness forgive her/his sins
and grant her/him full health
so that (s)he may be restored to your service.
You are Lord for ever and ever.
Amen.

Prayer for the Sick (Adrian Porter SJ)

Father, as Jesus cured the sick and raised Lazarus from the dead,
give comfort to those in our community who are sick.
We pray that your Spirit may heal their bodies
and soothe their minds
leading them to find peace and hope in your grace.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.

Amen.

Prayer for Vocations

Loving God, You speak to us
and nourish us through the
life of this church community.

In the name of Jesus, we ask you
to send your Spirit to us so that
men and women among us, young
and old, will respond to your call to
service and leadership in the church.

We pray for all ministers but, especially, for
those who hear your invitation to
be a priest, sister, brother, or deacon.

May those who are opening their hearts
and minds to your call be encouraged
and strengthened through our enthusiasm
in your service. Amen

Prayer for Vocations (Pope Francis)

LORD of the Harvest,

BLESS young people with the gift of courage to respond to your call.
Open their hearts to great ideals, to great things.

INSPIRE all of your disciples to mutual love and giving—
for vocations blossom in the
good soil of faithful people.

INSTILL those in religious life, parish
ministries, and families with the confidence
and grace to invite others to embrace
the bold and noble path of a life
consecrated to you.

UNITE us to Jesus through prayer and sacrament,
so that we may cooperate
with you in building your reign of mercy
and truth, of justice and peace. Amen.

Prayer for wisdom

William Penn (1644-1718)

O God,
help us not to despise or oppose
what we do not understand.

Prayer for Wisdom

In everything we do, O Lord, give us a desire to seek out the truth;
give us a willingness to heed the advice of others;
give us wisdom in reaching decisions;
give us faith to believe in our conclusions;
give us courage to put our ideas to the test;
and, if we prove ourselves wrong, give us the grace to admit it.

Amen.

Prayer from “The Cloud of Unknowing”

(Anon, 14th Century)

GOD,

unto whom all hearts are open,
unto whom all wills do speak,
from whom no secret thing is hidden,
I beseech thee
so to cleanse the purpose of my heart
with the unutterable gift of thy grace
that I may perfectly love thee,
and worthily praise thee,

AMEN

Prayer of Intercession (William Barclay)

O God our Father,
help us all through this day so to live that we may bring help to others,
credit to ourselves and to the name we bear,
and joy to those that love us, and to thee.
Help us to be cheerful when things go wrong;
persevering when things are difficult;
serene when things are irritating.
Enable us to be helpful to those in difficulties;
kind to those in need;
sympathetic to those whose hearts are sore and sad.
Grant that nothing may make us lose our tempers;
nothing may take away our joy;
nothing may ruffle our peace;
nothing may make us bitter towards anyone.
This we ask for thy love’s sake. Amen.

Prayer of St Augustine

Eternal God, You are the light of the minds that know you,
the joy of the hearts that love you,
and the strength of the wills that serve you;
grant us so to know you, that we may truly serve you,
whom to serve is prefect freedom, through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

Prayer of St Bridget of Sweden (suitable for a morning prayer)

Hasten, O Lord! Enlighten my darkness, speak to my soul. Nothing happens without you permitting it, and nothing you permit is without comfort.

O Jesus, Son of God, you who were silent in the presence of your accusers, restrain my tongue until I find what I should say and how to say it.

Show me the path and make me follow it. In delay there is danger, but in haste there is likewise peril. Therefore Lord, give ear to my petition and show me the way.

I come to you, as the sick go to the doctor in search of aid. I long for you like the dying. O Lord, give peace to my heart. Amen

Prayer of St Ignatius of Layola

Take Lord and receive all my liberty,
my memory, my understanding and my entire will;
all that I have and possess.
You have given it all to me:
to you, O Lord, I return it.
All is yours;
do with it what you will.
Give me only your love and grace,
for this is enough for me.
Our one desire and choice in life should be this:
I want and I choose what better leads to God deepening his life in me.

Prayer of St Thomas More (Be With Us Today)

Father in heaven,
you have given us a mind to know you,
a will to serve you,
and a heart to love you.
Be with us today in all that we do,
so that your light may shine out in our lives.
Through Christ our Lord.

Amen.

Prayer of St. Thomas Merton

My Lord God, I have no idea where I am going.
I do not see the road ahead of me.
I cannot know for certain where it will end.

Nor do I really know myself,
and the fact that I think I am following your will
does not mean that I am actually doing so.

But I believe that the desire to please you does in fact please you.
And I hope that I have that desire in all that I am doing.

I hope that I will never do anything apart from that desire,
and I know that if I do this
you will lead me by the right road
though I may know nothing about it.

Therefore I will trust you always
though I may need to be lost and in the shadow of death.
I will not fear, for you are ever with me,
and you will never leave me to face my perils alone.

Prayer of St. Thomas More

Give me, good Lord, a full and fervent charity,
a love of you, good Lord,
incomparable above the love of myself;
and that I love nothing to your displeasure
but everything in order to you.
Take from me, good Lord, this lukewarm fashion, or rather, this cold manner of meditation, and this dullness in praying to you.
Give me warmth, delight, and life in thinking about you.
And give me your grace to long for your holy sacraments and especially to rejoice in the presence of your blessed body, my sweet Saviour Jesus Christ, in the holy sacrament of the altar,
and duly to thank you for your graciousness in giving yourself to me.

Amen.

Prayer of thanks for the gift of a child

(from The Book of Common Prayer)

Heavenly Father, you sent your own Son into this world. We thank you for the life of this child, _____., entrusted to our care. Help us to remember that we are all your children, and so to love and nurture her/him, that (s)he may attain to that full stature intended for her/him in your eternal kingdom; for the sake of your dear Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Prayer that I may be strong in future sickness

(Thomas Fuller)

Lord, teach me the art of patience while I am well, and give me the use of it when I am sick. In that day either lighten my burden or strenthen my back. In my health I have so often discovered my weakness, presuming on my own strength: make me to be strong in my sickness when I rely solely on your assistance.

Amen,

Prayer that Poverty Be Made History

Loving God,
look with mercy upon the human race you have created.
May our hearts see your kingdom
in which the destructive poverty of our world is destroyed
and so that we will make poverty history. Amen.

Prayer to Know God’s Will (St. Ignatius of Loyola)

May it please the supreme and divine Goodness
to give us all abundant grace
ever to know his most holy will
and perfectly to fulfill it. Amen.

Prayer to speak out about our beliefs

St Hilary (315-67)

Almighty God,
bestow upon us the meaning of words,
the light of understanding
the nobiligy of diction
and the faith of the true nature.
And grant that what we believe
we may also speak.

Amen.

Prayer when in pain

(from The Book of Common Prayer)

Lord Jesus Christ, by your patience in suffering you hallowed earthly pain and gave us the example of obedience to your Father’s will: Be near me in my time of weakness and pain; sustain me by your grace, that my strength and courage may not fail; heal me according to your will; and help me always to believe that what happens to me here is of little account if you hold me in eternal life, my Lord and my God. Amen.

Prayer when preparing for exams

Loving God
be with me now,
as I prepare for my exams.

Thank you for the many talents and gifts you have
given me and for the opportunity of education.

Calm my nerves and anxiety, help me
to remember all that I have studied,
to express it clearly and to answer questions
to the very best of my ability.

Holy Spirit, sit by me in my exam
– and be with me always.

In Jesus’ name. Amen

Soul of Christ Prayer (14th Century)

Soul of Christ
A 14th Century prayer used by St Ignatius
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 your wounds hide me.
Let me not be separated from you.
From the enemy defend me,
At my death call me
And bid me, come to you
That with your saints I may praise you
For ever and ever.

Amen.

Speak, Lord, your servant is listening

After Christina Rossetti (1820-94)

Speak, Lord, for your servent is listening.
Grant us ears to hear,
Eyes to see,
Wills to obey,
Hearts to love.
Then declare what you will,
Reveal what you will,
Command what you will,
Demand what you will.

St Joseph, Protector of the Church

Father, you entrusted our Saviour to the care of Saint Joseph.
By the help of his prayers may your Church continue to serve its Lord,
Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.

Amen.

Stay With Me (John Henry Newman, Jesus the Light of the Soul)

Stay with me, and then I shall begin to shine as you shine:
so to shine as to be a light to others.
The light, O Jesus, will be all from you.
None of it will be mine.
It will be you who shines through me upon others.
O let me praise you, in the way which you love best,
by shining on all those around me.
Give light to them as well as to me; light them with me, through me.
Teach me to show your praise, your truth, your will.
Make me preach you without preaching; not by words
but by my example and by the catching force, the sympathetic influence, of what I do –
by my visible resemblance to your saints,
and the evident fullness of the love which my heart bears for you.

The Canticle of Brother Sun (St Francis of Assisi)

Most High, all-powerful, good Lord,
Yours are the praises, the glory, and the honour, and all blessing,
To You alone, Most High, do they belong,
and no human is worthy to mention Your name.
Praised be You, my Lord, with all Your creatures,
especially Sir Brother Sun,
Who is the day and through whom You give us light.
And he is beautiful and radiant with great splendour;
and bears a likeness of You, Most High One.
Praised be You, my Lord, through Sister Moon and the stars,
in heaven You formed them clear and precious and beautiful.
Praised be You, my Lord, through Brother Wind,
and through the air, cloudy and serene, and every kind of weather,
through whom You give sustenance to Your creatures.
Praised be You, my Lord, through Sister Water,
who is very useful and humble and precious and chaste.
Praised be You, my Lord, through Brother Fire,
through whom You light the night,
and he is beautiful and playful and robust and strong.
Praised be You, my Lord, through our Sister Mother Earth,
who sustains and governs us,
and who produces various fruit with coloured flowers and herbs.

Praised be You, my Lord, through those who give pardon for Your love,
and bear infirmity and tribulation.
Blessed are those who endure in peace
for by You, Most High, shall they be crowned.

Praised be You, my Lord, through our Sister Bodily Death,
from whom no one living can escape.
Woe to those who die in mortal sin.
Blessed are those whom death will find in Your most holy will,
for the second death shall do them no harm.

Praise and bless my Lord and give Him thanks
and serve Him with great humility.
AMEN

The Canticle of the Creatures (adapt. from St Francis of Assisi)

Praised be my Lord God for all his creatures,
especially for our brother the sun,
who brings us the day and the light.
Beautiful is he and shines with great splendour; O Lord he shows you to us.
Praised be my Lord for our sister the moon and for the stars,
which he has set clear and lovely in the heavens.
Praised be my Lord for our brother the wind
and for the air, cloudy and serene, and for all kinds of weather,
by which You uphold the life in all creatures.
Praised be my Lord for our sister the water
who is useful and humble and precious and clean.
Praised be my Lord for our brother the fire
who, giving light in the darkness, is beautiful and playful and mighty and strong.
Praised be my Lord for our mother the earth,
who sustains us and keeps us with fruits and many-coloured flowers and grasses.

Praised be my Lord, through all who forgive and bear infirmity and suffering.
Blessed are all who endure in peace, for by You, my Lord, they shall be rewarded.
Praised be my Lord, through our sister Death, from whom no one living can escape.

All praise and bless the Lord and give Him thanks and serve Him with great humility.
AMEN

The grace to work for that for which we pray

St Thomas More (1478-1535)

The things, good Lord, that we pray for,
give us the grace to work for;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

The PROCLAIM 2015 Prayer

Loving Father,
You so loved the world that you sent us your only Son,
that we might believe in him and have eternal life.
May we encounter Jesus Christ anew this day
and live the Good News with joy.
Through the power of your Holy Spirit,
help us to “go out to the whole world and proclaim”
our faith with confidence.
Give us the courage to witness to the Joy of the Gospel
by our words and actions.
Help our parish to become more welcoming and missionary,
so that you may be known and loved by all people.
We make this prayer through Our Lord Jesus Christ Your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God for ever and ever,
Amen.

Our Lady, Star of the New Evangelisation, Pray for us.

Blessed John Henry Newman, Pray for us.

St Thérèse of Lisieux, Pray for us.

When short of time to pray

After General Lord Jacob Astley (1579-1652), before the battle of Edgehill

O Lord, you know how busy today I must be,
If I should forget you, do not forget me.

For Christ’s sake. Amen.