I know … some people believe reciting traditional prayers puts us in danger of mindlessly parroting words, thus rendering them pointless and insincere. I don’t completely disagree.
But I do mostly disagree, primarily for four reasons.
First, traditional prayers are treasures worth savoring. They cover deep spiritual truths that deserve daily review and recommitment. And that’s key: they remind us of Who should be at the center of our lives and what we should be contemplating, professing, and doing in response to that.
The second is that habits, even rote ones, can be good. When our family, spread over several states, ends phone conversations with “Love you/Love you too!”, we don’t stop and ponder our current emotional states before making the ritual pronouncement. Yet, far from being a meaningless filler, it reinforces a truth. Sometimes we all “go through the motions” because we know those motions are important. In addition, while there are times when words of prayer slip through our lips without proper attentiveness, there are many others when a familiar phrase resonates in a new way.
Third, research indicates that actions can powerfully influence our attitudes and beliefs. For example, if you want to brighten your day, try smiling. That behavior-to-beliefs pattern also applies to relationships. Saying prayers that reinforce our faith helps us become more prayerful, attentive, and devoted to God.
And finally, traditional prayers help us stay focused. If left to my own verbiage, my prayers are likely to meander far from any resemblance to a conversation with the Almighty. Of course spontaneous comments or pleas throughout the day also have their place. But I find that spur of the moment utterances are better off happening in addition to the traditional – not instead of them.
The following dozen help me lay a firm foundation for each day as I pause and reflect on the Trinity, open myself to holy guidance, orient my day properly, express appreciation for heroes and guardians of the Faith, acknowledge my own sinfulness, and pray for the holy souls in Purgatory. If said in one sitting (although that’s not what I do or recommend) these twelve traditional prayers can be recited at an unrushed pace in about five minutes.
🙏 Glory Be (Doxology)… A joyous “hello” to the Trinity!
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.
🙏 Our Father… What could be better than having a prayer provided by Our Lord?
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.
🙏 Fatima Prayer… One of five prayers introduced by Our Lady when she appeared in Fatima, Portugal.
O my Jesus, forgive us of our sins; save us from the fires of Hell; and lead all souls to Heaven, especially those most in need of Thy mercy.
🙏 Come Holy Spirit… Glorious receptivity!
Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in them the fire of your love. Send forth Your Spirit and they shall be created. And You shall renew the face of the earth.
O, God, who by the light of the Holy Spirit, did instruct the hearts of the faithful, grant that by the same Holy Spirit we may be truly wise and ever enjoy His consolations. Through Christ Our Lord, Amen.
🙏 Morning Offering… A great way to orient the day!
O Jesus, through the Immaculate Heart of Mary, I offer You my prayers, works, joys and sufferings of this day for all the intentions of Your Sacred Heart, in union with the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass throughout the world, for the salvation of souls, the reparation for sins, the reunion of all Christians, and in particular for the intentions of the Holy Father this month. Amen.
🙏 Hail Mary… Revel in the Scriptural phrases spoken to Our Lady.
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.
🙏 Prayer to St. Joseph… Pope Leo XIII (who also penned the Prayer of St. Michael) wrote this to join St. Joseph’s intercession with Mary’s. Given the state of families and the culture, I recently added this.
To you, O blessed Joseph, do we come in our tribulation, and having implored the help of your most holy spouse, we confidently invoke your patronage also.
Through that charity which bound you to the Immaculate Virgin Mother of God and through the paternal love with which you embraced the Child Jesus, we humbly beg you graciously to regard the inheritance which Jesus Christ has purchased by his Blood, and with your power and strength to aid us in our necessities.
O most watchful Guardian of the Holy Family, defend the chosen children of Jesus Christ;
O most loving father, ward off from us every contagion of error and corrupting influence;
O our most mighty protector, be propitious to us and from heaven assist us in our struggle with the power of darkness;
and, as once you rescued the Child Jesus from deadly peril, so now protect God’s Holy Church from the snares of the enemy and from all adversity;
and shield, too, each one of us by your constant protection, so that, supported by your example and your aid, we may be able to live piously, to die holily, and to obtain eternal happiness in heaven. Amen.
🙏 Guardian Angel Prayer… I don’t know about yours, but mine deserves heartfelt gratitude!
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
🙏 Prayer to St. Michael the Archangel… In 1884, Pope Leo XIII wrote this after receiving a vision of evil spirits working fiercely to destroy The Church.
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 through the world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen.
🙏 “DIY” Litany of Saints… The saints – our steadfast advocates and intercessors – rejoice over each step toward holiness.
For this prayer, I call to mind our family’s namesake and Confirmation saints as well as others with whom we share heritage or characteristics, briefly reflect upon our special connection, thank them for their example, and ask for their prayers. (Warning: this can become quite lengthy!)
🙏 Act of Contrition… It’s not just for the Confessional!
O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended Thee, and I detest all my sins because of Thy just punishments, 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.
🙏 Prayer of St. Gertrude for the Holy Souls in Purgatory… Church tradition holds that St. Gertrude received this prayer from Jesus in a vision, and that each time it is devoutly recited, 1000 souls are released into Heaven. How amazing to take part in this mission!
Eternal Father, I offer You the most Precious Blood of Your Divine Son, Jesus, in union with the Masses said throughout the world today, for all the Holy Souls in Purgatory, for sinners everywhere, for sinners in the Universal Church, those in my own home, and within my family. Amen.
While my selections may not reflect your go-to list, I hope the idea of embracing some core traditional prayers to properly orient and order each day resonates. I’d love to hear your suggestions!
Note: I left out The Sign of the Cross and Grace Before Meals. The first, dating back to early Christianity, is typically done automatically as a preface to prayers so I didn’t list it. The second was omitted for a similar reason: Grace is commonly said and specifically linked to meals rather than “prayer time”.