Prayer is the breath of the soul, an intimate dialogue between God and us. Some prayers, due to their antiquity and depth, accompany Catholics worldwide every day—during Mass, while praying the Rosary, or in personal devotion. Here are some of the most important prayers to know and meditate upon.
The Our Father
The Our Father is the prayer that Jesus Himself taught His disciples (Matthew 6:9-13). It is at the heart of Christian life and is recited daily at Mass, in the Rosary, and in the Liturgy of the Hours. When we pray it, we unite ourselves with the entire Church and entrust our lives to the will of our Heavenly 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.
The Hail Mary
Inspired by the greetings of the Angel Gabriel and Saint Elizabeth to the Virgin Mary (Luke 1:28-42), this prayer is one of the most widely recited in the Church. It allows us to enter into communion with Mary, the Mother of God, and entrust our joys and sorrows to her.
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.
The Glory Be
A short Trinitarian prayer that expresses our praise to God. It is recited at the end of many prayers, especially in the Rosary and the Liturgy of the Hours.
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.
The Apostles’ Creed
The Creed is the profession of faith for Christians. It summarizes the essential truths of Christianity and is proclaimed during Sunday Mass.
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 rose again from the dead;
He ascended into heaven,
and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty;
from there He will 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 life everlasting.
Amen.
Prayer to Saint Michael the Archangel
This prayer, composed by Pope Leo XIII, is a powerful supplication asking for Saint Michael’s protection against the attacks of the Evil One.
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 throughout the world
seeking the ruin of souls.
Amen.
Prayer to the Guardian Angel
From the moment we are born, God entrusts us with a guardian angel to guide and protect us. This prayer reminds us of this loving presence and encourages us to seek their help each day.
Angel of God, my guardian dear,
to whom His love commits me here,
ever this day be at my side,
to light and guard, to rule and guide.
Amen.
Act of Contrition
When we turn away from God through sin, it is essential to sincerely repent. The Act of Contrition is a prayer recited before receiving absolution in the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
O my God, I am heartily sorry
for having offended Thee,
and I detest all my sins
because I dread the loss of heaven
and the pains of hell,
but most of all because they offend Thee, my God,
who art all good and deserving of all my love.
I firmly resolve,
with the help of Thy grace,
to sin no more and to avoid the near occasion of sin.
Amen.
Conclusion
These essential prayers are the foundation of a Catholic’s spiritual life. They help us praise God, entrust ourselves to the Virgin Mary, proclaim our faith, seek the protection of angels and saints, and return to God with a repentant heart. May their frequent recitation draw us ever closer to Our Lord.
Take a moment today to pray one of these prayers with devotion and trust.