Short prayers for busy people : compiled from the missal and the raccolta . SHORT PRAYERS FOR BUSY PEOPLE Compiled From The Missal and The Raccolta by The Reverend Richard Ginder No. 62 SHORT PRAYERS FOR BUSY PEOPLE Tenth Edition, 55,000 • still Printed in U. S. A. (s.cSws'l) February 8, 1 954 By OUR SUNDAY VISITOR PRESS Huntington, Indiana Nihil Obstat: REV. EDWARD A. MILLER Censor Librorum Imprimatur: JOHN FRANCIS NOLL, D.D. Bishop of Fort Wayne Short Prayers For Busy People Prayers for Peace 0 God, from Whom are holy desires, right counsels, and just works, give to Thy servants that peace which the world cannot give; that our hearts may be dis- posed to obey Thy commandments and, the fear of enemies being removed, our times by Thy protection, may be peace- ful. 0 God, Who permittest not the nations who believe in Thee to be overwhelmed by any peril, vouchsafe to receive the prayers of Thy people, that in Thy mercy Thou wouldst grant peace to Christendom and make it secure against all enemies. 0 God, the Author and Lover of peace, to know Whom is to live, to serve Whom is to reign, shield Thy supplicants from all assaults, that we who trust in Thy protection may fear no foe. Through Christ, our Lord. Amen. Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, grant us peace. Immaculate Queen of Peace, pray foi us.—300 days indulgence , each time. 4 SHORT PRAYERS FOR BUSY PEOPLE Prayers for the Sick Almighty, everlasting God, the eternal Salvation of those who believe, hear me on behalf of Thy servant that is sick, for whom I humbly crave the help of Thy mercy, that, being restored to health he /she may give Thee thanks in Thy Church. 0 God, the one defense of human fra- ilty, show Thy might and help Thy servant who is sick, so that aided by Thy bounteous mercy, he/she may be found worthy to be restored safe and sound to Thy holy Church. Through Christ, our Lord. Amen. Prayer for one near death Almighty and merciful God, who be- stowest on mankind both the remedies of health and the gifts of life everlast- ing, look mercifully upon Thy servant who laboreth under sickness of the body, and refresh the soul which Thou hast made; so that at the hour of its depart- ure, free from all stain of sin, it may be found worthy to be borne to Thee, its Maker, by the hands of the holy angels. Through Christ, our Lord. Amen. Prayers in time of war 0 God, Who bringest wars to nought and shieldest by Thy power all who hope SHORT PRAYERS FOR BUSY PEOPLE 5 in Thee, overthrowing those that as- sail them: help Thy servants who im- plore Thy mercy ; so that the fierce might of their enemies may be brought low and we may never cease to praise and thank Thee. 0 God, Who hast dominion over all realms and kings, who by striking healest, and by pardoning savest; ex- tend to us Thy mercy, so that by Thy power we may enjoy peace and tran- quillity, and use them for our healing and amendment. Through Christ, our Lord. Amen. Prayer against the persecutors of the Church We beseech Thee, 0 Lord, mercifully to receive the prayers of Thy Church: that all opposition and error being des- troyed, she may serve Thee in safety and freedom. Through Christ, our Lord. Amen. Prayer for the Pope 0 God, the Shepherd and Ruler of ail the faithful, look down favorably upon Thy servant Pius, whom Thou hast been pleased to appoint over Thy Church ; grant, we beseech Thee, that he may ben- efit, both by word and example, those over whom he is placed, and thus attain 6 SHORT PRAYERS FOR BUSY PEOPLE unto life everlasting, together with the flock committed to his care. Through Christ, our Lord. Amen. Prayer to the Saints for Help Defend us, we beseech Thee, 0 Lord, from all dangers of mind and body, and through the intercession of the blessed and glorious ever Virgin Mary, Mother of God, together with Blessed Joseph, Thy blessed apostles Peter and Paul, and blessed N. (mention the name of your patron), and all the saints, mercifully grant us safety and peace; that all op- position and error being overcome, Thy Church may serve Thee in safety and freedom. Through Christ, our Lord. Amen. Prayers for the Living and the Dead 0 Almighty and eternal God, who hast dominion over the living and the dead, and hast mercy on all whom Thou foreknowest shall be Thine by faith and good works: I humbly beseech Thee that all for whom I have resolved to pray, whether the present world still holds them in the flesh, or the world to come has already received them out of the body, may through the intercession of all Thy saints, obtain of Thy goodness and clemency pardon for all their sins. SHORT PRAYERS FOR BUSY PEOPLE 7 0 God, Who alone knowest the number of the elect to be admitted to the hap- piness of heaven, grant, I beseech Thee, that through the intercession of all Thy saints, the names of all who have been recommended to our prayers and of all the faithful may be inscribed in the book of blessed predestination. Through Christ, our Lord. Amen. Prayer in Honor of the Holy Trinity Almighty and everlasting God, Who hast given to Thy servants grace in the confession of the true faith to acknow- ledge the glory of the eternal Trinity, and in the power of Thy majesty to wor- ship Thy Unity; grant that by stead- fastness in the same faith, we may be evermore defended from all adversities. Through Christ, our Lord. Amen. Prayers in Honor of the Holy Spirit 0 God, Who by the light of the Holy Spirit didst instruct the hearts of the faithful, grant us in the same spirit to be truly wise and ever to rejoice in His consolation. May the infusion of the Holy Spirit cleanse our hearts, 0 Lord, and render them fruitful by the inward sprinkling of His mysterious dew. Through Christ, our Lord. Amen. 8 SHORT PRAYERS FOR BUSY PEOPLE Prayer for a Family Do Thou, we beseech Thee, 0 Lord, by the intercession of Blessed Mary ever Virgin, defend this family from all harm; deign mercifully to protect from the snares of the enemy those who pros- trate themselves before Thee. Through Christ, our Lord. Amen. Prayer in time of need 0 God, our refuge and strength, Who art the Author of mercy, hearken to the pious prayers of Thy Church, and grant that what we ask with faith, we may effectually obtain. Through Christ, our Lord. Amen. Prayers in any trial Despise not, 0 almighty God, me Thy servant who cry out to Thee in my af- fliction, but for the glory of Thy name be appeased and help me in my trouble. Mercifully look down, I beseech Thee, 0 Lord, upon my tribulation, and turn away from me the wrath of Thy anger, which I have justly deserved. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. Prayer against evil thoughts O almighty and most merciful Lord, favorably consider my prayers, and de- liver my heart from the temptation of SHORT PRAYERS FOR BUSY PEOPLE 9 evil thoughts; that I may deserve to become a worthy dwelling-place of the Holy Spirit. 0 God, Who enlightenest everyone that cometh into this world, illumine my heart, I beseech Thee, with the splen- dor of Thy grace, that my thoughts may ever be worthy and pleasing unto Thy divine Majesty, and that I may ever sincerely love Thee. Through Christ, our Lord. Amen. Prayer for Purity Burn, O Lord, my reins and my heart with the fire of the Holy Spirit, that I may serve Thee with a chaste body and please Thee with a pure heart. Through Christ, our Lord. Amen. Prayers for Charity 0 God, who makest all things work together unto good for those who love Thee, give to my heart an abiding love for Thee; that my desires, conceived by Thine inspiration, may ever remain unchanged in spite of every temptation. May the grace of the Holy Spirit, I beseech Thee, Lord, enlighten my mind and refresh it abundantly with the sweetness of perfect charity. Through Christ, our Lord. Amen. 10 SHORT PRAYERS FOR BUSY PEOPLE Prayer for Friends 0 God, Who by the grace of the Holy Spirit didst pour the gifts of charity into the hearts of Thy faithful, grant health of mind and body to Thy ser- vants for whom I beg Thy clemency, that they may love Thee with all their strength and do with perfect love what is pleasing to Thee. Through Christ, our Lord. Amen. Prayer for Enemies 0 God, the Lover and Guardian of peace and charity, grant unto all mine enemies true peace and charity, to- gether with the pardon of all their sins, and by Thy power deliver me from their wiles. Through Christ, our Lord. Amen Prayers for the Missions 0 God, Who desirest that all men should be saved and come to the know- ledge of Thy truth, send laborers into Thy harvest, we beseech Thee, and grant them grace to speak Thy word with all confidence: that Thy word may run and be glorified, and that all na- tions may know Thee, the one true God, and Him Whom Thou hast sent, Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord. Behold, 0 God, our Protector, and look upon the face of Thy Christ, Who SHORT PRAYERS FOR BUSY PEOPLE 11 gave Himself a ransom for all : and grant that from the rising of the sun even unto its setting Thy name may be exalted among the Gentiles, and that ir every place a clean offering may be sac* rificed and offered to Thy name. Through Christ, our Lord. Amen. Prayers of Thanksgiving 0 God, of Whose mercies there is no number, and of Whose goodness the treasure is infinite, I render thanks to Thy most gracious majesty for the gifts Thou hast bestowed upon me, evermore beseeching Thy clemency, that as Thou grantest the petitions of them that ask Thee, Thou wilt never forsake them, but wilt prepare them for the reward to come. 0 God, who sufferest no one that ho- peth in Thee to be overmuch stricken, but lendest a kindly ear to prayer; I thank Thee for having heard my pray- ers and granted my desires, and I en- treat Thee devoutly, that what I have received may make me worthy to be delivered from all evil. Through Christ, our Lord. Amen. Prayer for a Happy Death Almighty and merciful God, Who be- stowest on mankind both the remedies 12 SHORT PRAYERS FOR BUSY PEOPLE of health and the gifts of life everlast- ing, look mercifully upon me, Thy ser- vant, and refresh the soul which Thou hast made, that at the hour of its going hence, it may be found worthy to be presented without stain of sin to Thee, its Maker, by the hands of the holy angels. Through Christ, our Lord. Amen. INDULGENCED ASPIRATIONS (All applicable to the Poor Souls in Purgatory) My God and my all!—300 days every time . To the King of ages, immortal, and invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.—500 days , every time . Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God of Hosts: the heavens and the earth are full of Thy glory.—300 days, every time. With all our heart and voice, we ac- knowledge, we praise and we bless Thee, God the Father unbegotten, Thee, the only begotten Son, Thee, the Holy Ghost the Paraclete, O holy and undivided Trinity.—500 days every time. May the most just, the most high and the most lovable will of God be in all SHORT PRAYERS FOR BUSY PEOPLE 13 things done, praised, and evermore ex- alted.—500 days, every time . My God, grant that I may love Thee, and let the only reward of my love be to love Thee more and more,—300 days , every time. My God, my only Good, Thou art all mine; may I be always Thine—300 days, every time. My God, make us to be of one mind in the truth and of one heart in charity. —300 days , every time. My God, I give Thee thanks for what Thou givest, and for what Thou takest away; Thy will be done.—300 days every time. Teach me, O Lord, to do Thy will, for Thou art my God.—500 days, every time. O God, be merciful to me, a sinner.— 500 days, every time. Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving, honor, might, and power be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen.—500 days, every time. Keep me, O Lord, as the apple of Thine eye; beneath the shadow of Thy wings protect me.—500 days, every time. Into Thy hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit.—500 days, every time. 14 SHORT PRAYERS FOR BUSY PEOPLE 0 God, come unto my assistance: 0 Lord, make haste to help me.—500 days every time . Vouchsafe, 0 Lord, this day (or night) to keep us without sin.—500 days , every time . Deliver me, 0 Lord, from mine ene- mies.—500 days, every time . O Lord, reward us not according to our sins which we have done, neither according to our iniquities.—500 days , every time . O Lord, remember not our former in- iquities, and be merciful to our sins for Thy Name’s sake.—500 days, every time . O praise the Lord, all ye nations : praise Him, all ye peoples. For His Mercy is confirmed upon us; and the truth of the Lord remaineth for ever.—300 days, every time . Lord, increase our faith!—500 days , every time. My God, I love Thee.—300 days, every time. Act of Faith O my God, I firmly believe that Thou art one God in Three Divine Persons: Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. I believe SHORT PRAYERS FOR BUSY PEOPLE 15 that thy Divine Son became man and died for our sins and that He will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe these and all the truths which the Holy Catholic Church believes and teach- es, because Thou has revealed them, Who canst neither deceive nor be deceived— 3 years , every time . Act of Hope 0 my God, relying on Thy infinite Goodness and promises, I hope to obtain the pardon of my sins, the help of Thy grace, and life everlasting, through the merits of Jesus Christ, my Lord and Re- deemer.—3 years, every time. Act of Love 0 my God, I love Thee above all things with my whole heart and soul, because Thou art infinitely good and worthy of all love. I love my neighbor as myself for the love of Thee. I forgive all who have injured me, and ask pardon of all whom I have injured.—3 years, every time. Act of Contrition 0 my God, I am heartily sorry for all my sins, because by them I have lost heaven and deserved the fire of hell, but especially because I have offended 16 SHORT PRAYERS FOR BUSY PEOPLE Thee, my God, who art infinitely good and worthy of all my love. I am firmly resolved, with the help of Thy grace, never to sin again, to do penance, and to avoid the occasions of sin.—3 years , every time . I believe in Thee, I hope in Thee, I love Thee, I adore Thee, O Blessed Trin- ity, one God; have mercy on me now and at the hour of my death and save me.—300 days, every time. 0 Lord Omnipotent, who permittest evil that Thou mayest draw good there- from, give ear to our humble petitions; whereby we beg of Thee the grace of being faithful unto death, evermore con- forming ourselves to Thy most holy will. —500 days , every time . Receive, 0 Lord, all my liberty. Take my memory, my understanding, and my entire will. Whatsoever I have or hold, Thou hast given it; I give it all back to Thee and commit it wholly to be gov- erned by Thy will. Thy love and Thy grace give unto me, and I am rich enough to ask for nothing more.—3 years, every time. Into Thy hands, 0 Lord, and into the hands of Thy holy Angels, I commit and entrust this day my soul, my rela- SHORT PRAYERS FOR BUSY PEOPLE 17 tions, my benefactors, my friends and enemies, and all Thy Catholic people. Keep us, 0 Lord, through the day by the merits and intercession of the Bles- sed Virgin Mary and of all the Saints, from all vicious and unruly desires, from all sins and temptations of the devil, and from sudden and unprovided death and the pains of hell. Illumi- nate my heart with the grace of the Holy Spirit; grant that I may ever be obedient to Thy commandments; suffer me not to be separated from Thee, 0 God, who livest and reignest with God the Father and the same Holy Spirit for ever and ever. Amen.—3 years, every time. I vow to consecrate to God, all that is in me: my memory and my actions to God the Father; my understanding and my words to God the Son; my will and my thoughts to God the Holy Ghost; my heart, my body, my tongue, my senses and all my sorrows to the Sacred Humanity of Jesus Christ, “Who was content to be betrayed into the hands of wicked men and to suffer the torment of the Cross.”—3 years, every time. Visit, we beseech Thee, 0 Lord, this habitation, and drive far from it all 18 SHORT PRAYERS FOR BUSY PEOPLE snares of the enemy; let Thy holy Angels dwell herein to preserve us in peace ; and let Thy blessings be always upon us. Through Christ our Lord.—5 years, every time. 0 God, Thou art ail powerful, make me a saint.—500 days, every time. Jesus.—800 days, every time. My Jesus, mercy!—300 days, every time. Jesus, my God, I love Thee above all things.—300 days, every time. Sweetest Jesus, be not my Judge, but my Savior.—300 days, every time. Jesus, Mary, Joseph.—7 years, every time. We adore Thee, O Christ, and we bless Thee, because by Thy holy Cross Thou hast redeemed the world.—3 years, every time. All for Thee, Most Sacred Heart of Jesus.—300 days, every time. Eternal Father ! I offer Thee the Most Precious Blood of Jesus Christ in satisfaction for my sins, in supplication for the souls in purgatory, and for the wants of Holy Church.—500 days, every time. Jesus, meek and humble of heart, make SHORT PRAYERS FOR BUSY PEOPLE 19 our hearts like unto Thine.—500 days , every time . Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us.—500 days, every time . Sweet Heart of my Jesus, Make me love Thee ever more and more.—300 days , every time . Sweet Heart of Jesus, be my love. — 300 days every time . Sacred Heart of Jesus, I put my trust in Thee.—300 days, every time . Heart of Jesus burning with love of us, inflame our hearts with love of Thee. —500 days, every time. Sacred Heart of Jesus, protect our families.—300 days , every time. Sacred Heart of Jesus, Thy Kingdom come.—300 days , every time. Divine Heart of Jesus, convert sin- ners, save the dying, set free the holy souls in purgatory.—300 days , every time. O Heart of love, I place all my trust in Thee: for though I fear all things from my weakness, I hope all things from Thy mercies.—300 days, every time. O Virgin Mary, Mother of Jesus, makr us saints.—300 days , every time. Mary!—300 days , every time. 20 SHORT PRAYERS FOR BUSY PEOPLE Mother of Mercy, pray for us.—300 days , every time. My Mother, my hope.—300 days , every time. Mary Most sorrowful, Mother of Chris- tians, pray for us.—300 days, every time. Virgin most sorrowful, pray for us. — 300 days, every time . Blessed be the holy and Immaculate Conception of the most blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God.—300 days , every time. O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee.—300 days , every time. Sweet Heart of Mary, be my salvation. —300 days, every time. Queen of the most holy Rosary, pray for us.—300 days, every time. 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.—300 days, every time. 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