The post The Our Father Prayer first appeared on the Way of the wretch.

Body of Christ, save me.

Blood of Christ, inebriate me.

Water from the side of Christ, wash me.

Passion of Christ, strengthen me.

O good Jesus, hear me.

Within Your wounds, hide me.

Permit me not to be separated from You.

From the enemy, defend me.

At the hour of my death, call me and

Bid me come to You, that with your saints

I may praise You forever and ever.

Amen.

believed to be composed by Ignatius of Loyola.

The post Anima Christi (“Soul of Christ”) first appeared on the Way of the wretch.

Wherefore, O gracious God, O dread Majesty, I, a wretched creature caught in difficulties, have recourse to Thee, the fount of mercy; to Thee do I hasten to be healed and take refuge under Thy protection.

I ardently desire to have Him as my Savior, Whom I am unable to face as my Judge. Unto Thee, O Lord, I show my wounds, unto Thee I lay bare my shame. I know that my sins are many and grevious, and hence I am afraid. I trust in Thy countless mercies. Look upon me, therefore, with the eyes of Thy mercy, O Lord Jesus Christ, eternal King, God and Man, crucified for men.

Hearken unto me whose trust is in Thee, have mercy upon me, who am full of sin and misery, O thou fount of mercy that will never cease to flow. Hail, saving Victim, offered for me and all mankind upon the Cross. Hail, noble and precious Blood, flowing from the wounds of the crucified Lord Jesus Christ and washing away the sins of the world. Remember, O Lord, Thy creatures Thou redeemed with Thy Blood.

I am sorry because I have sinned; I desire to make amends for what I have done. Take away from me, therefore, O most merciful Father, all my iniquities and sins; that, being cleansed both in body and soul, I may worthily taste of the Holy of Holies.

Grant that the holy sacrifice of Thy Body and Blood, of which I am unworthy, do hope to partake, may obtain the remission of my sins, the perfect cleansing of my offenses, the banishment of all evil thoughts, the renewal of all holy desires, the accomplishment of works pleasing to Thee, and the strongest protection of soul and body against the wiles of my enemies.

Amen.

by Ambrose of Milan.

The post Prayer for Forgiveness and Renewal first appeared on the Way of the wretch.

We ask You today for Your truth

As a belt tight around our waists.

We put on the zeal

To announce Your good news of peace

As shoes for our feet.

We put on Your righteousness, O Christ,

As our breastplate,

And the hope of salvation

As a helmet for our head.

Father, we take up faith as a shield

Which will put out all the fiery darts of the enemy.

We take up the sword of the Spirit,

Which is Your Word Itself, O Lord.

Father, may the love with which You have loved Jesus

Be in us, and may Jesus be within us always.

We ask You for the grace of a servant’s heart.

Amen.

author unknown.

The post Prayer for Spiritual Armor first appeared on the Way of the wretch.

Help me, O Lord, that my eyes be merciful, so I may never suspect or judge from appearances, but look for what is beautiful in my neighbors’ souls and come to their rescue.

Help me, O Lord, that my ears may be merciful, so I may give heed to my neighbors’ needs and not to be indifferent to their pains and moanings.

Help me, O Lord, that my tongue may be merciful, so I should never speak negatively of my neighbors, but have words of comfort and forgiveness for all.

Help me, O Lord, that my hands may be merciful and filled with good deads, so I may do only good to my neighbors and take upon myself the more difficult and toilsome tasks.

Help me, O Lord, that my feet may be merciful, so I may feel and not forget all the sufferings of my neighbor, and be sincere even with those who may abuse my kindness.

May Your mercy, O Lord, rest upon me. O Jesus, transform me into Yourself.

Amen.

by Maria Faustina Kowalska.

The post Prayers to be More Merciful first appeared on the Way of the wretch.

Act in me, O Holy Ghost,
— that my work, too, may be holy.

Draw my heart, O Holy Ghost,
— that I love but what is holy.

Strengthen me, O Holy Ghost,
— to defend all that is holy.

Guard me, then, O Holy Ghost,
— that I always may be holy.

Amen.

by Augustine of Hippo.

The post Daily Prayer to Become Holier first appeared on the Way of the wretch.

God, the Son, redeemer of the world…
— have mercy on me.

God, the Holy Spirit…
— have mercy on me.

Holy Trinity, one God…
— have mercy on me.

Father, creator of the world…
— have mercy on me.

Father, peacemaker of the world…
— have mercy on me.

Father, eternal wisdom…
— have mercy on me.

Father, infinite goodness…
— have mercy on me.

Father, most bountiful…
— have mercy on me.

Father, fount of everything…
— have mercy on me.

Father, most sweet…
— have mercy on me.

Father, of infinite mercy…
— have mercy on me.

Father, our defender…
— have mercy on me.

Father, our glory and our happiness…
— have mercy on me.

Father, wealth of all people…
— have mercy on me.

Father, triumph of all nations…
— have mercy on me.

Father, hope of all Christians…
— have mercy on me.

Father, splendor of Your Church….
— have mercy on me.

Father, splendor of all kings…
— have mercy on me.

Father, overturner of idols…
— have mercy on me.

Father, consolation of all people…
— have mercy on me.

Father, leader of religious leaders…
— have mercy on me.

Father, guide of men…
— have mercy on me.

Father, gift of family life…
— have mercy on me.

Father, help of the poor…
— have mercy on me.

Father, guide of the youth…
— have mercy on me.

Father, friend of children…
— have mercy on me.

Father, freedom of slaves…
— have mercy on me.

Father, light of those who are in darkness…
— have mercy on me.

Father, destroyer of the proud…
— have mercy on me.

Father, wisdom of the just…
— have mercy on me.

Father, rest in tribulations…
— have mercy on me.

Father, hope in desolation…
— have mercy on me.

Father, harbor of safety in danger…
— have mercy on me.

Father, consolation of the lost…
— have mercy on me.

Father, comfort of the afflicted…
— have mercy on me.

Father, refuge of the hopeless…
— have mercy on me.

Father, refuge of the orphans…
— have mercy on me.

Father, refuge of the aged…
— have mercy on me.

Father, refuge of the dying…
— have mercy on me.

Father, life of those in Heaven…
— have mercy on me.

Father, glory of the faithful, Your saints…
— have mercy on me.

We beg you, dear Father,
Forgive me of all of my sins,
Hear each of my petitions,
Have mercy on us all.

Amen.

author unknown.

The post Prayer to Receive God’s Love and Mercy first appeared on the Way of the wretch.

I pray that this be not a condemnation to punishment for me, but a saving plea unto forgiveness.

May it be unto me the armor of faith and the shield of a good will.
May it be the emptying out of my vices and the extinction of all lustful desires;
An increase of charity and patience, of humility and obedience, and of all virtues;
A strong defense against the snares of all my enemies, visible and invisible;
The perfect quieting of all my evil impulses of flesh and spirit, and binding me to Thee, the one true God;
And a happy ending to my life.

I pray Thou would bring me, a sinner, to that ineffable banquet where Thou with Thy Son and the Holy Spirit, are to Thy saints true light, fulfillment of desires, eternal joy, unalloyed gladness, and perfect bliss.

Through the same Christ, our Lord.

Amen.

by Thomas Aquinas.

The post Prayer for Spiritual Strength and Perseverance first appeared on the Way of the wretch.

From the temptation to act when I should be still,
— Jesus, help me to rest in You.

From the overwhelming feeling of having too much to do,
— Jesus, help me to rest in You.

From the belief that I am too unworthy to slow down,
— Jesus, help me to rest in You.

From restless self-seeking,
— Jesus, help me to rest in You.

From frustration with myself and others,
— Jesus, help me to rest in You.

From all my anxieties, worries, and fears,
— Jesus, help me to rest in You.

From living a life of constant busyness,
— Jesus, help me to rest in You.

From insincerity and lack of intention,
— Jesus, help me to rest in You.

From the belief that I must be someone else to earn Your Love,
— Jesus, help me to rest in You.

That I may truly believe You are always in control,
— Jesus, help me to rest in You.

That I may lay down my fears and burdens at Your feet,
— Jesus, help me to rest in You.

That I may surrender all that I am and have to You,
— Jesus, help me to rest in You.

That I may still my heart to dwell with You,
— Jesus, help me to rest in You.

That I may be more intentional with my actions,
— Jesus, help me to rest in You.

That my ambitions may be rooted in You,
— Jesus, help me to rest in You.

That I may quiet my mind to hear You,
— Jesus, help me to rest in You.

Amen.

— author unknown.

The post Prayer to Calm an Anxious Mind first appeared on the Way of the wretch.

I break their influence over my life by the power of the risen Lord Jesus Christ, and I command these curses to go back to where they came from and be replaced with blessings. I ask forgiveness for and renounce all negative inner vows and agreements that I have made with the enemy.

I ask You, Lord Jesus, to release me from any bondage they may have held in me. I claim Your shed blood over all aspects of my life, relationships, ministry endeavors, and finances. I thank You for Your enduring love, Your angelic protection, and the fullness of Your abundant blessings.

Amen.

author unknown.

The post Prayer If You Think You’ve Been Cursed first appeared on the Way of the wretch.