Prayers and Ways to Pray

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Common Prayers
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5 Common Prayers to Know!
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

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. Amen.
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​Hail Mary
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you! Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen

Blessing Before Meals
Bless us, O Lord, and these your gifts, which we are about to receive from your goodness, through Christ, our Lord.  Amen

Serenity Prayer
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. 

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Ways to Pray
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One of the most meaningful things we can do as parents, is teach our children the power of prayer……. Not just the routine of prayer:                         
5 Creative Ways to Pray!        
1) ​Prayer Walks
Take a family walk through the neighborhood. Pray for your neighbors as you pass their homes. Pray for the community leaders who govern your neighborhood. Pray for the local businesses. Pray for the police who keep us safe. Pray for the environment.

2) Cell Phone Prayers
Use technology to lead your family prayer!
Open up your contact list and as a family pick one person to say a prayer for. Remember, prayers can be prayers of thanksgiving, prayers of praise, forgiveness, or intercession. Keep that person in your thoughts as the person of the day

3) World Prayers
Spin the globe. Place your finger on a new place each night. Think about who lives there and what conditions their life might be like. Say a prayer for the people who live there. Say a prayer for peace in the world.

4) Family Prayer box
Keep a large box on the kitchen table. Next to it place a small can containing slips of scrap paper and pencils. At breakfast ask each family member to write a prayer for the day and place it in the box. Prayers might include, “Dear God, help me pass the spelling test”, or, “Dear God, be with me during the soccer tryouts”. “Help me remember that the girl who annoys me is also one of your special gifts.” “Guide my decisions at work today.”
Dinner is another opportunity to add a prayer to the box. Pull out all of the slips on the weekend and review, reflect, and rejoice together as a family.

5) Lunch Note Prayers
Write a prayer asking Jesus to be with your child during the day. Place it in their lunch box as a surprise. Children can write a prayer for their parents and do the same. Stay connected during busy days with God and each other.

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