Prayer

What Is Prayer?

For me, prayer is a surge of the heart; it is a simple look turned toward heaven, it is a cry of recognition and of love, embracing both trial and joy.

(St. Thérèse of Lisieux, Manuscrits autobiographiques, C 25r.)

Go to:


A Prayer for Peace in the Middle East

God of peace, bearer of hope,  
we seek your help  
for the peoples of the Middle East. 

Quiet the clamour of war  
and guide us towards peace. 

Where there is hatred and division  
sow seeds of calm and openness. 

Where there is destruction  
help us to rebuild. 

Where children are crying  
bring an end to tears. 

Shelter your peoples and protect them  
Guide them and keep them from harm. 

Show us how to break down the barriers of history and fear  
and breathe whispers of hope. 

Amen.  
Linda Jones / CAFOD


A Prayer for Ukraine

Lord Jesus Christ,
Prince of Peace and Saviour of the World:
 
Our world is in need of your peace at this time,
as we see the effects of evil deeds.
 
We hold before you our brothers and sisters in Ukraine:
those who are living through the trauma of staying, under threat of their lives and homes
and those who have left all they know in search of safety.
 
We are seeing too the best of humanity
in those who are welcoming others into their countries and communities:
new friendships which are emerging from the ashes of destruction;
death leading to resurrection.
 
As the Season of Lent began with prayer for the people of Ukraine,
may it continue to be our prayer each day,
that darkness will be transformed into light,
hatred into love,
and a deep respect for common humanity
be expressed between nations.
 
Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, we place all our trust in you.
Amen.

Bishop Timothy Menezes


Praying for Peace in the Holy Land

The charity Friends of the Holy Land have compiled reflections and prayers to use during this time of war.


Pray with the Pope - May

MAY: That everyone might have food

 

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amén.

Lord of creation,
You gave us the fertile earth and, with it, our daily bread,
as a sign of Your love and providence.
Today we recognize with sorrow
that millions of brothers and sisters continue to suffer from hunger,
while so many goods are wasted at our tables.

Awaken in us a new awareness:
that we learn to thank for every food,
to consume simply,
to share with joy,
and to care for the fruits of the earth as a gift from You,
destined for all, not just a few.

Good Father,
make us capable of transforming the logic of selfish consumption
into a culture of solidarity.
May our communities promote concrete gestures:
awareness campaigns, food banks,
and a sober and responsible lifestyle.

You who sent us Your beloved Son Jesus,
broken bread for the life of the world,
give us a new heart, hungry for justice and thirsty for fraternity.

May no one be excluded from the common table,
and may Your Spirit teach us to see bread
not as an object of consumption,
but as a sign of communion and care.

Amen.


Pope Leo's Discernment Prayer

DOWNLOAD poster


Prayers for May

May is the month of Mary

You may find this guide to praying the Rosary helpful during this month of May.
If you have not prayed the rosary before or are not familiar with it, please take it a step at a time and grow in that sense of being immersed in prayer:

How to pray the rosary - The Rosary Website

May is the Month of Mary – why is she associated with the Lily and the Rose?


A prayer for the month of May

Lord God,
In the Incarnation of your Word, Jesus, your Beloved Son,
You changed the course of human history.

Through the willing and trusting obedience of Mary,
Your Son was given a home both in the womb and in the Nazareth of his formative years.

We entrust ourselves to you during this month of celebrating Mary in the life of faith and of your Church.
May we know her as our Mother, just as your Son Jesus entrusted St John to her maternal care, from the Cross.

May we know her as a model of compassion and strength, wisdom and grace,
made known in every culture and language.

May Mary’s ‘yes’ to what you asked of her and the faithfulness you showed to her
be the starting point each day for our ‘yes’ to what you ask of us.

Through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.


Prayer to Our Lady

Mary, our Mother,
Queen of Heaven and Earth,
we honour you today
for all that you have done
to make God’s love real in the world
as a daughter and a Mother.

Your greatest gift
was to be faithful to your Son.
You said Yes to God’s will,
You carried Jesus and brought him into the world.
You listened to his teaching.
You loved him throughout his Passion and Death.
You shared in the joy of his Resurrection.

We, your children
pray for your motherly care.
Together with the Saints in Heaven
you hold us in prayer
and we are grateful.

May we follow your example
and say ‘yes’ to God’s will today.

Amen.


May - Rosary for Life with Archbishop John Wilson

The Month of May is dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary in the Catholic Church. This May, Archbishop John Wilson, of the Archdiocese of Southwark, is calling on you to join him in praying the Rosary for Life – offering our prayers for those facing the gravest threats to life in our society today.

The Rosary for Life is prayed through the Joyful, Sorrowful, Luminous and Glorious Mysteries, each one offered for the most vulnerable in our society: unborn children at risk of abortion, victims of war and persecution, people with disabilities, and the elderly and vulnerable.

Rosary for Life


National Day of Prayer for Survivors of Abuse - Tuesday 5 May

Access information and resources

Ascension Day - Thursday 14 May

Reflection by Archbishop Bernard Longley

Pentecost - Sunday 24 May

Pray a Novena with Archbishop Bernard plus resources

Pentecost Prayers from CAFOD

Ascension to Pentecost in Prayer

Additionally:



Prayer for the Diocesan Vision

Written by the Liturgy and Worship group:

Spirit of God,
descend on me this day.
Grant me the Spirit of joy, to lift me,
the Spirit of hope to inspire me,
the Spirit of love to surround me and
the Spirit of truth to enlighten my path.

Holy Spirit,
I pray for a new outpouring of your grace,
so that I may grow in worship of your name
in love of you in my prayer
and in my actions towards others.

Come Holy Spirit into my life to guide me.
Strengthen and defend me,
so that I may be drawn ever closer to you.
Help me this day and always
to be a channel of grace
in all I say and do
and invite others into relationship with you.

Amen

Open prayer card

Pray with Archbishop Bernard




 

 

Published:

Updated:

Author:

Share this page
Manage Cookie Preferences