A Guide into Deepening Your Prayer Life
It can be easier said than done to achieve balance in your everyday life. In time, our fast-paced schedules only lead us further away from our faith to the point where we are filled with worry, anxiety, or an overwhelming sense of stress. Why? Because we are not allowing God to be active within us. Do not harden your heart to the point where you are becoming spiritually numb. Now, we can all agree that this is relatable because we have all been there. However, it is never too late to return back to your faith.
In Medjugorje, Father Leon Pereira told us, "If you are 'too busy' for mass, you're too busy to live." He is right, and this also goes along with prayer.
Peace can come to you when you do put the effort into practicing your faith. Instead of grabbing your phone to scroll through the nonsense of social media, grab your Bible, rosary, or a prayer booklet. God is our creator, and the only way to find true peace, healing, and joy from within is with Him. This is how we are wired to be, so daily prayer is key. Below is a guide of ways to help deepen your daily prayer life.
"Love to pray. Prayer enlarges the heart until it is capable of containing God's gift of Himself." -Mother Teresa
1. Morning Prayers
Before you begin your day, sit still and meditate in prayer with your cup of morning coffee or tea. Below is a guide of my favorite daily morning prayers that can also be found in our My Daily Prayer Booklet.
The Sign of the Cross
In the name of the Father and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, Amen.
Daily Consecration Prayer to Jesus
O Jesus, through the Immaculate Heart of Mary, I offer You my prayers, works, joys and sufferings of this day: for all the intentions of Your Sacred Heart, in union with the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass throughout the world, in reparation for my sins, for the intentions of all our associates, and in particular for the intentions of our Holy Father. Amen.
Daily Consecration Prayer to Mary
O Mary, My Queen and my Mother, I give myself entirely to you; and to show my devotion to you, I consecrate to you this day my eyes, my ears, my mouth, my heart, my whole body without reserve. Wherefore, good Mother, as I am your own, keep me and guard me as your property and possession. 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.
Sealing Prayer
I, (N.N.), offer myself at the feet of Christ and surrender to his Sovereignty, I tie myself to His sacred will, and tie myself to his infinity mercy, I open my heart completely to allow Him to penetrate and invade my inner self.
In the name of our Lord Jesus the Christ, who died and resurrected, I reclaim His Most Precious Blood over me, my family and my material and spiritual goods.
I seal my heart with His Most Precious Blood in order to be cleansed of hate, resentments, fears, anguish, loneliness, sadness, pain, etc.
I (N.N.), seal my spirit with His Most Precious Blood. I (N.N.), seal my soul in His Most Precious Blood. I (N.N.), seal my mind and will with His Most Precious Blood. I (N.N.) seal my past and present with this Most Precious Blood. I seal my children (name them), with His Most Precious Blood, so with that powerful seal, all evil goes away from them. I apply His Most Precious Blood over my home and all those who inhabit it, to my job or business so this way, all of them get sealed against any work of the malign. Amen.
St. Michael Prayer
Saint Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle. Be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil; May God rebuke him, we humbly pray; And do thou, O Prince of the Heavenly Host, by the power of God, cast into hell Satan and all the evil spirits who prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen.
Daily Prayer to the Angels
St. Michael, assist us with our angels, help us and pray for us!
St. Raphael, assist us with our angels, help us and pray for us!
St. Gabriel, assist us with our angels, help us and pray for us!
2. Adoration Prayers
I highly recommend to incorporate attending adoration in your weekly schedule. Even if it's once a week. Adoration is an opportunity for the faithful to sit in prayer quietly before Jesus’ Eucharistic presence with no distractions. It is at this time you surrender your heart to Jesus. Bring Him your sadness. Bring Him your happiness. Ask Jesus to nourish you with his love and compassion. Pray and do not forget to simply sit in silence. Listen to Jesus speaking to you with the ears of your heart. It is at adoration, you will find the gift of clarity, direction, and peace. Below are two beautiful adoration prayers.
Prayer to the Eucharist
O Sacrament most Holy, O Sacrament Divine! All Praise and all thanksgiving, be every moment Thine! (Recite 3x in a row)
Prayer Of Adoration
I adore you Jesus, true God, and true man, present in the holy Eucharist, kneeling before you and united in spirit with all the faithful on earth and all the saints in heaven. In gratitude for so great a blessing, I love you with all my heart, for you are worthy of all praise and adoration. Lord Jesus Christ, may I never offend you with my lack of love. May your Eucharistic presence refresh me in body and soul. Mary, Mother of the Eucharistic Lord, pray for me and obtain for me a greater love for Jesus. Amen.
3. Daily Rosary
Pray from the heart. It takes about 15-18 minutes to pray a rosary. If you are need of a rosary, browse our collection of quality rosaries for sale at Marie Madeleine.
(recite mystery before each gray Our Father bead on diagram)
The Joyful Mysteries (Monday & Saturday)
The Annunciation
The Visitation
The Nativity
The Presentation In The Temple
The Finding Of Jesus In The Temple At Age 12
The Luminous Mysteries (Thursday)
The Baptism Of Jesus
The Wedding Feast At Cana
The Proclamation Of The Kingdom
The Transfiguration Of Jesus
The Institution Of The Eucharist
The Sorrowful Mysteries (Tuesday & Friday)
Agony In The Garden
Scourging At The Pillar
Crowing With Thorns
Carrying Of The Cross
The Crucifixion
The Glorious Mysteries (Wednesday & Sunday)
The Resurrection
The Ascension
Descent Of The Holy Spirit
The Assumption
The Coronation
Rosary Prayers
The Apostle’s Creed
I believe in God,
the Father Almighty,
Creator of Heaven and earth;
and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, Our Lord,
Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried.
He descended into Hell,
on the third day He arose again from the dead.
He ascended into Heaven,
and is seated at the right hand of
God the Father Almighty;
from thence He shall come to judge
the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy Catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. 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.
Hail Mary
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee.
Blessed art thou among women,
and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God,
pray for us sinners,
now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
Glory Be
Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son,
and to the Holy Spirit,
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen.
Fatima Prayers
(During her July 13, 1917 apparition, Our Lady asked that the following prayers be inserted after each decade of the Rosary. Include The Pardon Prayer as well.)
O my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell. Lead all souls to heaven especially those in most need of Thy mercy.
The Pardon Prayer
O My God, I believe, I adore, I hope and I love Thee! And I ask forgiveness for those who do not believe, do not adore, do not hope, and do not love Thee.
CONCLUDING PRAYERS
Hail Holy Queen
Hail, Holy Queen, Mother of mercy,
Hail our life, our sweetness and our hope.
To thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve:
to thee do we send up our sighs,
mourning and weeping in this valley of tears.
Turn then, most gracious advocate, thine eyes of mercy toward us,
and after this our exile, show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary!
Pray for us, O holy Mother of God, that we may be made worthy
of the promises of Christ. Amen.
Let Us Pray
O God, whose only-begotten Son, by his life, death, and
resurrection, has purchased for us the rewards of eternal
life; grant, we beseech thee, that meditating upon
these mysteries of the most holy rosary of the Blessed
Virgin Mary, we may imitate what they contain and
obtain what they promise. Through the same Christ Our Lord, Amen.
End Rosary with…
St. Joseph, Pray for Us
Immaculate Heart of Mary, Pray for Us
Sacred Heart of Jesus, Have Mercy on Us
Sacred Heart of Jesus, Have Mercy on Us
Sacred Heart of Jesus, Have Mercy on Us
May the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.
St. Michael Prayer
Saint Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle. Be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil; May God rebuke him, we humbly pray; And
do thou, O Prince of the Heavenly Host, by the power of God, cast into hell Satan and all the evil spirits who prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen
4. Holy Mass
Try your best to keep Holy the Sabbath Day. Use Sunday as a day to attend mass and if you can, use the Mass Times App to find a 30 minute weekday mass in your area. Many churches have both early morning masses before work hours and evening weekday masses to attend after work hours.
Prayer of Gratitude
(Never leave church without a prayer of Thanksgiving)
Thank you, Father for…
Thank you, Lord Jesus…
Thank you, Holy Spirit…
Thank you, Mother Mary…
Thank you, Guardian Angel…
Anima Christi
(recite after receiving Holy Communion)
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 hide me;
Separated from You, let me never be;
From the evil one protect me;
At the hour of my death, call me;
And close to You bid me, That with Your saints, I may be,
Praising You forever and ever. Amen.
5. End of Day Prayer
Night Prayer
Faithful Father, thank You that Your work is perfect,
Your ways are just, and You are a God of faithfulness. As
I lay down to sleep, I thank You for the many blessings
You have bestowed on me. I ask for forgiveness for the
sins I have committed today, and I entrust myself into
Your care. I ask that You bring rest to my body and
restoration to my spirit to strengthen and empower
me for a new day tomorrow. Lord, bless me and keep
me safe, make Your face shine upon me. Turn Your face
towards me and give me peace. Amen.