Category: Teach Us To Pray

Teach Us To Pray

True Freedom 

Smitten With Goodness
Season of asking in prayer

Today we celebrate the Fourth of July, our country’s independence, where we let freedom ring. But what is true freedom? I’ve wrestled with what this means over the past few years and the Spirit has helped reframe the way I see dependence and obedience through God’s truth. Let’s pray for freedom and liberty today!

Litany for Liberty

Christ the Lord has called us out of darkness into his marvelous light. Let us turn to him in humble but fervent petition, seeking the grace to root out from our hearts all trace of darkness, and all that holds us back from walking in the full freedom of the children of God. As Christ is our great model for that inner freedom, which enables us to do the right, let us turn to him with confidence that we, too, may follow him to the fullness of spiritual freedom.

Lord, have mercy;

Christ, have mercy;

Lord, have mercy;

Jesus, victor over sin and death… Free our hearts.

Jesus, fullness of truth and mystery… Free our hearts.

Jesus, teacher of seeking hearts… Free our hearts.

Jesus, healer of body and soul… Free our hearts.

Jesus, bringer of mercy and justice… Free our hearts.

Jesus, who humble the heart and mind… Free our hearts.

Jesus, release of captives… Free our hearts.

Jesus, voice against violence… Free our hearts.

Jesus, courage for the lowly/downtrodden… Free our hearts.

Jesus, origin of all authority and power… Free our hearts.

Jesus, true lawgiver… Free our hearts.

Jesus, unity of order and passion… Free our hearts.

Jesus, freedom of the Spirit… Free our hearts.

Jesus, obedient Son of the Father… Free our hearts.

For the freedom to love… Give us your grace.

For the freedom to believe… Give us your grace.

For the freedom to hope… Give us your grace.

For the freedom to worship… Give us your grace.

For the freedom to serve in charity… Give us your grace.

For the freedom to care for the suffering… Give us your grace.

For the freedom to comfort the sick… Give us your grace.

For the freedom to feed the hungry… Give us your grace.

For the freedom to shelter the homeless…Give us your grace.

For the freedom to proclaim the Gospel… Give us your grace.

For the freedom to walk in chastity… Give us your grace.

For the freedom to live in peace… Give us your grace.

For the freedom to work in good conscience… Give us your grace.

For the freedom to stand in solidarity… Give us your grace.

For the freedom to seek justice… Give us your grace.

For the freedom to reject sin…Give us your grace.

For the freedom to reject coercion… Give us your grace

For the freedom to reject falsehood… Give us your grace

For the freedom to reject evil temptations… Give us your grace

For the freedom to reject injustice…  Give us your grace

Closing Prayer

O God, who gave one origin to all peoples and willed to gather from them one family for yourself, fill all hearts, we pray, with the fire of your love and kindle in them a desire for the just advancement of their neighbor, that, through the good things which you richly bestow upon all, each human person may be brought to perfection, every division may be removed, and equity and justice may be established in human society. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God for ever and ever. Amen

Teach Us To Pray

Most Like Christ

Smitten With Goodness
Season of asking in prayer

We are nudged, prompted, and motivated to do what we ought to do because we first have been inspired by the instigator of all good prayer, the Holy Spirit.  We are never more like Christ than in prayers of intercession. 

One way of laying down our lives is by praying for somebody.  In prayer, I’m saying, “my life for yours.” My time, my energy, my thought, my concern, my concentration, my faith – here they are for you. This is my labor of love, no sigh or small prayer is ever lost but rises to the ear of God. 

Intercession is giving our very self, our time, strength, energy, and attention to the needs of others in a way that no one but God sees, no one but God will do anything about, and no one but God will ever reward you for. 

TIPS FOR INTERCESSORY PRAYER

  • Still yourself, put yourself in God’s presence
  • Bring to mind someone you love
    • Ask Jesus what he wants you to pray for that person
    • Pray that prayer
  • Bring to mind someone you don’t know very well
    • Ask Jesus what he wants you to pray for that person
    • Pray that prayer
  • Bring to mind someone you are in conflict with or are struggling with
    • Ask Jesus what he wants you to pray for that person
    • Pray that prayer
    • Reflect on what God is teaching you
    • Reflect on what grace God is offering to you
  • Close your intercessory prayer time with
    • The Our Father
    • The Hail Mary
    • The Glory Be
Teach Us To Pray

Tuned to Mercy

Smitten With Goodness
Season of asking in prayer

The Catechism of the Catholic Church beautifully articulates the power and importance of intercessory prayer, emphasizing that “since Abraham, intercession—asking on behalf of another—has been characteristic of a heart attuned to God’s mercy” (CCC 2635). When we ask God for what others need, we are participating in a profound mystery of divine grace. 

Our prayers become channels through which God’s love and blessings flow into the lives of those around us. This practice fosters a spirit of humility and trust, as we recognize our own limitations and turn to God, the source of all goodness, to provide for the needs of our brothers and sisters. Moreover, intercessory prayer unites us with the Communion of Saints, as we join our prayers with those of the saints in heaven, creating a powerful chorus of supplication before the throne of God. In this way, the prayer of intercession becomes a beautiful expression of our faith, hope, and charity, strengthening the bonds of our spiritual family and bringing us all closer to the heart of God.

Prayer for Peace

Let us dream together, pray together and work together, To build one world of peace and justice for all. Amen

Teach Us To Pray

Loving On Our Knees

Smitten With Goodness
Season of asking in prayer

In the rich tradition of Catholic spirituality, the practice of intercessory prayer holds a special place of honor and devotion. Intercessory prayer, the act of asking God to bestow His grace, mercy, and blessings upon others, reflects the deep interconnectedness of the Christian community. As members of the Body of Christ, we are called to bear one another’s burdens and to lift each other up in prayer, mirroring the love and compassion that Christ Himself showed during His earthly ministry. 

By engaging in prayers of intercession, we become instruments of God’s love, interceding for the needs of friends, family, strangers, and even those who may have wronged us. This selfless act of petition not only benefits those for whom we pray but also transforms our own hearts, drawing us closer to God and reinforcing our commitment to live out the Gospel message of love and solidarity.

Prayer of Saint Francis Assisi

Christ be with me, Christ within me, Christ behind me, Christ before me, Christ beside me, Christ to win me, Christ to comfort me and restore me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me, Christ in the hearts of all who love me, Christ in the mouth of friend and stranger. Amen

Teach Us To Pray

No Room for Worry

Smitten With Goodness
Season of neediness in prayer

Can any of us by worrying add a single moment to our life? We are called to trust in God‘s faithfulness. When we think about how God provides for even the smallest creatures, how can we doubt that our needs will be met? Jesus tells us that if we keep our eyes on the kingdom of God, then we will not worry.

Too often our lives are pulled in one direction or another and our focus drifts away from God. Frequently it is in those moments that we become overwhelmed or begin to feel lost. We need to take time every day to focus and continue seeking God. And in doing so all the other claims on our time will be refocused towards the same goal.

Lord, your providential love for us provides for our every need. Give us the faith to surrender our lives to you, the hope to believe in your promise, and the charity to serve you in our neighbor. Amen

Teach Us To Pray

Role in God’s Plan

Smitten With Goodness
Season of neediness in prayer

St. John Henry Newman is celebrated not only for his theological insights but also for his profound reflections on personal vocation and purpose. His prayer, “The Mission of My Life,” encapsulates his deep understanding of divine providence and individual calling. In this beautiful and introspective prayer, Newman eloquently expresses the belief that every person has a unique role in God’s plan, encouraging the faithful to seek and embrace their God-given mission with trust and humility. 

The Mission of My Life

God has created us to live in service, he has committed some work to me which he has not committed to any one else. I have my mission. I may never know what it is in this life, but I will  be told about it in the next. I am a link in a chain, a bond of connection between persons.

He has not created me for naught. I shall do good; I shall do His work. I shall be an angel of peace, a preacher of truth in my own place, while not intending it if I do but keep His commandments.

Therefore, I will trust Him, whatever I am, I can never be thrown away. If I am in sickness, my sickness may serve Him, in perplexity, my perplexity may serve Him. If I am in sorrow, my sorrow may serve Him. He does nothing in vain. He knows what He is about. He may take away my friends. He may throw me among strangers. He may make me feel desolate, make my spirits sink, hide my future from me. Still, He knows what He is about. 

Amen

Teach Us To Pray

Lightness of Laughter

Smitten With Goodness
Season of neediness in prayer

Sometimes I take life too seriously and need to lighten up.  As I’m getting older, I’m appreciating the lightness of laughter and realizing a good sense of humor is actually good for us.  My husband loves to watch comedy specials for a good laugh and tries to get me to appreciate them. Much is lost on me however there are a few that resonate and cause me to laugh and have a shift of perspective. Most of the time my humor throughout the day is directed towards myself when I notice I’m setting unrealistic expectations or being too hard on myself. I’m learning to laugh, lean in and be gentle with myself. 

Do you need to cultivate good humor in your day? Praying this prayer by St. Thomas More frequently can help!

Prayer for Good Humor

Grant me, O Lord, good digestion, and also something to digest.
Grant me a healthy body, and the necessary good humor to maintain it.
Grant me a simple soul that knows to treasure all that is good and that doesn’t frighten easily at the sight of evil,
but rather finds the means to put things back in their place.
Give me a soul that knows not boredom, grumblings, sighs and laments, nor excess of stress, because of that obstructing thing called “I.”
Grant me, O Lord, a sense of good humor.
Allow me the grace to be able to take a joke to discover in life a bit of joy, and to be able to share it with others.

Amen

Teach Us To Pray

Saying I Am Sorry

Smitten With Goodness
Season of neediness in prayer

Saying an Act of Contrition is a deeply personal and spiritually enriching practice that lies at the heart of Catholic confession and repentance. This timeless prayer expresses genuine sorrow for sins and a firm resolve to amend one’s life, seeking God’s boundless mercy and forgiveness. As a fundamental component of the Sacrament of Reconciliation, the Act of Contrition invites the faithful to reflect on their actions, acknowledge their shortcomings, and open their hearts to divine grace. In a world where distractions and moral challenges abound, taking a moment to sincerely recite this prayer fosters spiritual renewal and a deeper connection with God. The Act of Contrition remains a powerful testament to the transformative power of God’s love and the human capacity for redemption. Join me in this sacred prayer and incorporate it into your daily spiritual practice.

Act of Contrition

My God,

I am sorry for my sins with all my heart.

In choosing to do wrong

and failing to do good,

I have sinned against you

whom I should love above all things.

I firmly intend, with your help,

to do penance,

to sin no more,

and to avoid whatever leads me to sin.

Our Savior Jesus Christ suffered and died for us.

In his name, my God, have mercy.

Lord Jesus, Son of God,

have mercy on me, a sinner.

Teach Us To Pray

For The Love of Truth

Smitten With Goodness

The “Prayer for Charity in Truth” is a profound and timely invocation that calls for a deep, authentic love grounded in truth and justice. In an era where the complexities of social, economic, and ethical issues often challenge our understanding and practice of genuine charity, this prayer serves as a vital compass. It encourages believers to seek not only to act with compassion but to do so with a foundation of truth that respects the dignity and rights of every individual. Rooted in the principles of Catholic social teaching, the “Prayer for Charity in Truth” inspires us to go beyond superficial acts of kindness, urging us to engage in transformative love that addresses the root causes of injustice and inequality. As we navigate the intricacies of modern life, this prayer offers a beacon of hope and a call to action, reminding us that true charity is inseparable from the pursuit of truth. Through this prayer, we are invited to reflect deeply on how we can embody Christ’s love in our actions, advocating for a world where every person is valued and treated with the respect they deserve.

Prayer for Charity in Truth

Father, your truth is made known in your Word.
Guide us to seek the truth of the human person.
Teach us the way to love because you are Love.

Jesus, you embody Love and Truth.
Help us to recognize your face in the poor.
Enable us to live out our vocation to bring love and justice to your people.

Holy Spirit, you inspire us to transform our world.
Empower us to seek the common good for all persons.
Give us a spirit of solidarity and make us one human family.

Amen

Teach Us To Pray

Every Step of The Way

Smitten With Goodness
Season of neediness in prayer

The “Litany of the Way, Prayer for the Journey” is a beautiful prayer that serves as a guide and companion for those embarking on life’s many journeys. Rooted in the tradition of Christian litanies, this prayer offers a series of heartfelt petitions and invocations, seeking divine guidance, protection, and strength for travelers on both physical and spiritual paths. Whether one is setting out on a literal journey, navigating the complexities of daily life, or embarking on a profound spiritual quest, the “Litany of the Way” provides a profound sense of comfort and assurance. Its rhythmic cadence and evocative language draw us into a contemplative state, fostering a deep connection with God and an enduring sense of peace and purpose. This prayer reminds us that, no matter where our journey leads, we are never alone, and the divine presence accompanies us every step of the way.

Litany of the Way, Prayer for the Journey

As Jesus sought the quiet of the desert,
teach us to pray.

As Jesus washed the feet of his disciples,
teach us to love.

As Jesus promised paradise to the thief on the cross,
teach us to hope.

As Jesus called Peter to walk to him across the water,
teach us to believe. 

As the child Jesus sat among the elders in the temple,
teach us to seek answers.

As Jesus in the garden opened his mind and heart to God’s will,
teach us to listen.

As Jesus reflected on the Law and the prophets,
teach us to learn.

As Jesus used parables to reveal the mysteries of the Kingdom,
teach us to teach.