Youth Ministry

A Habit of Prayers for Lent

Short Prayers — 1 Minute or Less

To be said in rhythm with your breath or repeated and meditated upon throughout the day.
1. The Sign of the Cross — (Breathe in) In the name of the Father, and the Son, (Breathe Out) and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
2. The Jesus Prayer — (Breathe in) Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God (Breathe out) have mercy on me, a sinner.
3. Mark 9:24 — (Breathe in) I believe (Breathe out) help my unbelief.
4. Psalm 91:2 — (Breathe in) You are my refuge and fortress (Breathe out) my God in whom I trust.
5. Psalm 23:1 — (Breathe in) The Lord is my shepherd (Breathe out) there is nothing I lack.
6. Psalm 27:14 — (Breathe in) Wait for the Lord. (Breathe out) Be strong and take heart.
7. Psalm 80:3 — (Breathe in) Restore us, O God; (Breathe out) Let your face shine, that we may be saved.

Short Prayers — 5 Minutes or Less

8. The Lord’s Prayer
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.

9. The Anima Christi
Soul of Christ, sanctify me. 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. Separated from you let me never be. From the evil one, defend me. At the hour of death, call me. And close to you bid me.
That with your saints I may be Praising you, forever and ever. Amen.

10. The Fragrance Prayer by Cardinal John Henry Newman
Dear Jesus, help me to spread your fragrance everywhere I go. Flood my soul with your Spirit and Life. Penetrate and possess my whole being so utterly that my life may only be a radiance of yours. Shine through me and be so in me that every soul I come in contact with may feel your presence in their soul. Let them look up, and see no longer us, but only Jesus!

Stay with me and then I shall begin to shine as you shine, so to shine as to be a light to others. The light, O Jesus, will be all from you; none of it will be my own. It will be you, shining on others through me. Let me then praise you in the way you love best, by shining on those around us. Let me preach you without preaching; not by words but by example, by the catching force, the sympathetic influence of what I do, the evident fullness of the love our hearts bear for you. Amen.”

11. The 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. Living one day at a time, enjoying one moment at a time; accepting hardship as a pathway to peace; taking, as Jesus did, this sinful world as it is, not as I would have it; trusting that You will make all things right if I surrender to Your will; so that I may be reasonably happy in this life and supremely happy with You forever in the next. Amen.

12. 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

13. Memorare
Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to your protection, implored your help, or sought your intercession was left unaided. Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto you, O Virgin of virgins, my mother; to you do I come, before you I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in your mercy hear and answer me. Amen.

14. St. Michael the Archangel
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, thrust into hell Satan and all evil spirits who wander through the world for the ruin of souls. Amen.

15. Act of Spiritual Communion
My Jesus, I believe that you are present in the Most Holy Sacrament. I love you above all things, and I desire to receive you into my soul. Since I cannot at this moment receive you sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart. I embrace you as if you were already there and unite myself wholly to you. Never permit me to be separated from you. Amen.

16. The Apostles’ Creed
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and Earth;
and in Jesus Christ, His only Son Our Lord,
Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried.
He descended into Hell; the third day He rose again from the dead;
He ascended into Heaven, and sits at the right hand of God, the Father almighty; from there He shall come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body and life everlasting.
Amen.