Catholic Prayers

Prayers to return to

Catholic prayer makes room for praise, gratitude, sorrow and the needs we bring to God. You can begin with a familiar prayer or speak simply about what is on your heart. These guides explore the meaning of traditional prayers alongside short prayers for everyday worries.

The Our Father

The prayer Jesus taught brings our daily needs, our desire for forgiveness and our trust in God together. Our guide reflects on each line, including what it means to ask for daily bread and to forgive others. Begin with “Our Father”, pause, and bring one need before God rather than rushing through the words.

The Hail Mary

The Hail Mary draws on the greetings of Gabriel and Elizabeth in Luke’s Gospel. At its heart is the name of Jesus; its closing words ask Mary to pray for us. Our guide explains these scriptural roots and the meaning of asking for her intercession, with a short prayer for moments of anxiety.

The Act of Contrition

This prayer expresses sorrow for sin, trust in God’s forgiveness and the intention to change with his help. It can accompany an evening examination of conscience as well as Confession. Our guide includes traditional words and a reflection on returning to God without confusing anxiety with sin; private prayer does not replace sacramental Confession.

The Divine Mercy Chaplet

The Chaplet asks for God’s mercy through the Passion of Jesus. Our step-by-step guide introduces this prayer of trust and explains how to pray it on rosary beads. Take time with the petitions rather than treating the prayer as a task to finish.

A short prayer for today

Lord Jesus, I bring you the worries I can name and those I cannot put into words. Give me patience for this moment, courage for the next small step, and humility to ask for help. Keep those I love in your care. Amen.

Prayer can sit alongside practical support and appropriate care; feeling anxious is not a failure of faith. For a longer quiet moment, try our prayer for anxiety and worry. You can also bring an intention from the daily Gospel reflection into your prayer.