This part of our web guide focuses on Catholic prayers or prayers of specific importance to Catholicism.
Prayer in the Catholic Church is viewed as "the raising of one's mind and heart to God or the requesting of good things from God."
The three key types of prayers in Catholicism are vocal, meditative, and contemplative.
Vocal prayer involves the use of words, either spoken or sung, to communicate with God. It is accepted that the heart's fervor is of more importance than the number of words spoken. The Our Father (Lord's Prayer) is a central vocal prayer and one that was taught by Jesus Himself. Additionally, the liturgical prayers of the Church are often vocal expressions of faith.
During meditative prayer, Catholics reflect on the Scriptures, spiritual truths, or the life of Christ. It involves pondering and internalizing God's Word. The Rosary is a meditative prayer that contemplates the mysteries of Christ's life while reciting specific prayers.
Contemplative prayer goes beyond words and thoughts. During this form of prayer, Catholics rest in God's presence, seeking union with Him. Contemplative prayer often involves silence, stillness, and openness to God's grace. Saint John of the Cross and Saint Teresa of Avila emphasized this form of prayer.
The Catholic Church encourages various expressions of prayer to nourish the spiritual life of the Catholic individual. Common ones include morning and evening prayers. Setting aside specific times to pray each day helps Catholics remember God continually. The Liturgy of the Hours provides structured prayers for different times of the day. Saying Grace before and after meals simply expresses gratitude to God for daily sustenance. The Sunday Eucharist (Mass) centers the Catholic's week around the Eucharist, the source and summit of the Catholic faith. The liturgical year and feasts, such as Christmas and Easter, provide a rhythm for the Catholic's prayer life.
The Psalms hold a special place in the prayer life of Catholics. These ancient hymns express a wide range of human emotions, including joy, sorrow, praise, lament, and trust. They are part of the Liturgy of the Hours, and several of the Catholic saints found inspiration and solace in praying the Psalms.
Devotions are specific practices designed to deepen the Catholic's relationship with God. Common Catholic devotions include the Rosary, the Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, Novenas, and the Stations of the Cross.
Written works that specify prayers used in the Catholic Church include the Roman Missal and the Liturgy of the Hours (Breviary).
While there are many similarities between the prayers used by Catholics and those practiced in the various Protestant denominations, but there are differences as well.
While Catholics emphasize the importance of sacred tradition alongside Scripture, Protestants generally emphasize the authority of the Scripture alone. Thus, Catholic liturgical prayers, sacraments, and devotions are deeply rooted in tradition, while many Protestant churches emphasize a personal interpretation of Scripture and an individual relationship with God, although most Protestant churches have liturgical elements, as well.
Catholics seek the intercession of saints through prayers and devotions, Protestants believe in direct access to God through Jesus Christ. While Catholics confess sins to priests, who offer absolution and guidance, Protestants do not pray to saints or seek priestly intercession but direct their prayers directly to Jesus Christ or to God the Father.
While most Protestant churches include structured liturgies and other formal prayers, they are more likely to engage in spontaneous, extemporaneous prayers. Many Protestants believe that individual prayer is more highly valued than liturgical prayer.
Catholics make common use of repetitive prayers, such as the Rosary, as a form of meditation. Protestants generally avoid repetition and prefer spontaneous prayer as direct communication with God.
These differences are broad generalizations, and some Protestant denominations are closer to Catholicism than to some of the looser elements of Protestantism.
Online resources for information regarding Catholic prayer are appropriate for this category or any of its subcategories.
Categories
NovenaRosary |
Recommended Resources
Catholic Online is a project of Your Catholic Voice Foundation, a not-for-profit corporation. Its section on prayer offers the text, videos, and other resources relating to several Catholic prayers, including a Prayer of the Day, the Mysteries of the Rosary, the Stations of the Cross, El Rosario Santo, the Sign of the Cross, the Chaplet of Divine Mercy, the Mysteries of the Rosary, the Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary, an Act of Contrition, and several other Catholic prayers.
https://www.catholic.org/prayers/
The God Minute is an online prayer community led by priests, nuns, and laypeople who begin their day in prayer. Soft music, sacred Scripture, and thoughtful reflection are weaved into a ten-minute guided reflection and then uploaded for all to share. Users of the site can listen and pray with their coffee in the morning while driving to work or school or walking the dog. A book club, informational blog, and other resources are available, and the God Minute Team is introduced.
https://www.thegodminute.org/
This site was created by lay Catholics with roots in faith formation, particularly RCIA. It was not created by an official Catholic organization. A free Catholic prayers e-book may be downloaded from the site. Several commonly used, enduring prayers that have been used for generations are featured here, along with prayers to Jesus, Novena prayers, prayers for the Holy Rosary, prayers for Divine Mercy Chaplets, and some recently added Catholic prayers are highlighted.
https://mycatholicprayers.com/
This collection features prayers that are important to every Catholic, such as Our Father, the Rosary, the Act of Contrition, the Angelus, and others, as well as some of the lesser-known ones, such as the Anima Christi. Also included are Catholic prayers for various times in the liturgical year, such as Lent and Pentecost, as well as some written by the Saints and other well-known religious figures. Prayer requests may also be shared through the site, which includes daily readings and a blog.
https://www.ourcatholicprayers.com/
Prayer is a vital part of the Catholic faith, as it allows Catholics to communicate with God and seek His guidance and strength. The Catholic tradition has several powerful prayers, many of which are featured here, such as Blessings, Chaplets, Consecreations, Marian prayers, Novenas, powerful prayers, special prayers, and general prayers. Examples of these are prayers for the nation, career prayers, night prayers, perseverance prayers, and prayers for the family.
https://www.powerfulcatholicprayers.com/
Known as the "finder of lost things," Saint Anthony of Padua was a Portuguese Catholic priest and member of the Order of Friars Minor. Anthony was canonized by Pope Gregory IX on May 30, 1232, less than one year after his death, and is venerated worldwide. Saint Anthony is also known as the "finder of lost faith." The "Unfailing Prayer to Saint Anthony" and the ten steps of the "Novena to Saint Anthony" include a printable version and a brief prayer for finding a lost thing.
http://www.prayertostanthony.com/
Traditional Catholic Devotions
Throughout the past two thousand years, a rich array of traditional Catholic devotions have been written and developed to fulfill Christ's commandment to pray. Catholics pray through Holy Communion, prayers and devotions, and through the daily work of Christian life. This site is a collection of prayers and information from prayer books, booklets, and cards, which are sorted into several categories, with the newest prayers highlighted in a separate category, with links to other resources.
https://catholicdevotions.org/
As the name suggests, this website focuses on traditional Catholic prayers. Latin and English prayerbooks can be downloaded for free from the site. Featured prayers include Prayers to the Precious Blood of Jesus, the Miraculous St. Andrew Christmas Novena, the Seven Sorrows of Mary, Fulton Sheen's Meditations on the 15 Mysteries of the Rosary, Prayers to Our Lady, Prayers to St. Joseph, a Scripture Rosary, daily payers for the days of the week, and how to pray the Rosary in Latin.
https://traditionalcatholicprayers.com/
