Abrahamic / Middle Eastern Christianity Catholic Prayers for All Needs and Special Intentions Share Flipboard Email Print Maurizio Brambatti-Pool/Getty Images Christianity Catholicism Prayers Beliefs and Teachings Tips Worship Saints Holy Days and Holidays Christianity Origins The Bible The New Testament The Old Testament Practical Tools for Christians Christian Life For Teens Christian Prayers Weddings Inspirational Bible Devotions Denominations of Christianity Christian Holidays Christian Entertainment Key Terms in Christianity Latter Day Saints View More By ThoughtCo Updated on June 25, 2019 Along with the sacraments, prayer is at the heart of our life as Catholics. Saint Paul tells us that we should "pray without ceasing," yet in the modern world, it sometimes seems that prayer takes a back seat not only to our work but to entertainment. As a result, many of us have fallen out of the habit of daily prayer that characterized the lives of Christians in centuries past. Yet an active prayer life is essential to our growth in grace. Learn more about prayer and about how to integrate prayer into every aspect of your daily life with the resources below. Essential Catholic Prayers A postcard of a mother teaching her child to make the Sign of the Cross. Apic/Hulton Archive/Getty Images Every Catholic should know certain prayers by heart. Memorizing these prayers means that you will always have them close to hand, to recite as morning and evening prayer, and at appropriate times throughout the day. The following prayers form a sort of Catholic "utility belt," covering all of your basic needs. Ten Prayers Every Catholic Child Should Know The Sign of the Cross The Act of Contrition Grace Before Meals Grace After Meals The Guardian Angel Prayer The Rosary Novenas Godong/UIG / Getty Images The novena, or nine-day prayer, is a powerful tool in our prayer life. This collection of novenas for every season of the liturgical calendar and to an assortment of saints is a good place to start to integrate novenas into your daily prayers. Saint Andrew Christmas Novena Novena to Our Lady of Lourdes Novena to the Holy Family Novena of Confidence to the Sacred Heart Novena to Saint Joseph Novena to Saint Joseph the Worker Divine Mercy Novena Novena to the Holy Ghost Novena to Saint Anthony to Find a Lost Article Novena to Saint Anthony for Any Need Novena to Saint Expeditus Novena to Saint Jude and the Sacred Heart of Jesus The Expectation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Miraculous Novena of Grace Novena to St. Frances Xavier Cabrini Novena to Saint Charles Borromeo Novena to St. Anthony Mary Claret Novena to Saint Teresa of Avila Virgin Mary Detail of Virgin Mary statue, Paris, Ile de France, France. Godong/Robert Harding World Imagery/Getty Images Through the selfless "yes" of the Virgin Mary, Jesus Christ, our Savior, was brought into the world. It is appropriate, therefore, that we offer prayers of petition and praise to the Mother of God. The following is a brief selection from the thousands of prayers to the Blessed Virgin Mary. Hail Holy Queen To the Blessed Virgin Mary for May Invocations to the Blessed Virgin Mary For the Help of the Blessed Virgin Mary Prayer of Saint Augustine to the Blessed Virgin Petition to Mary by Saint Alphonsus Liguori Prayer to Our Lady of Sheshan Blessed Sacrament Pope Benedict XVI blesses the crowd with the Eucharist during a meeting and prayer with children who made their First Communion during 2005 in St. Peter's Square, October 15, 2005. About 100,000 children and parents attended the event. (Photo by Franco Origlia/Getty Images) Eucharistic adoration is central to Catholic spirituality. These prayers to Christ in the Blessed Sacrament are appropriate as post-Communion prayers and for visits to the Blessed Sacrament. Act of Adoration For the Peace of Christ Petition Before the Blessed Sacrament An Offering of Oneself to Christ in the Eucharist Sacred Heart of Jesus Sacred Heart Statue, Saint-Sulpice, Paris. Philippe Lissac/Photononstop/Getty Images Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, which represents Christ's love for mankind, is widespread in the Roman Catholic Church. These prayers are especially appropriate for the Feast of the Sacred Heart and for the month of June, which is dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Prayer to the Sacred Heart To the Heart of Jesus in the Eucharist Act of Love to the Sacred Heart Act of Consecration to the Sacred Heart Invocation to the Sacred Heart Novena of Confidence to the Sacred Heart Holy Spirit A stained-glass window of the Holy Spirit overlooking the high altar of Saint Peter's Basilica. Franco Origlia/Getty Images News/Getty Images Prayer to the Holy Spirit is less common for many Catholics than prayer to God the Father and to Jesus Christ. These prayers to the Holy Spirit are appropriate for both daily use and for special intentions. Novena to the Holy Ghost Act of Consecration to the Holy Ghost Prayer for the Gifts of the Holy Spirit Prayer for the Seven Gifts of the Holy Ghost Litany of the Holy Spirit Prayer to the Holy Spirit for a Favor Come Holy Spirit Act of Consecration to the Holy Spirit Prayers for the Dead Ken Chernus/The Image Bank/Getty Images Prayer for the dead is one of the greatest acts of charity we can perform. Our prayers help them during their time in Purgatory, so that they can enter more quickly into the fullness of heaven. These prayers are especially suited for offering a novena on behalf of the dead, or for praying during those seasons of the year (November, in the Western Church; Lent, in the Eastern Church) designated by the Church as times of fervent prayer for the faithful departed. Eternal Rest Weekly Prayers for the Faithful Departed A Prayer for a Deceased Mother A Prayer for a Deceased Father De Profundis Litanies Bojan Brecelj / Getty Images A litany is a special prayer, usually intended to be recited communally, with a priest or other leader reciting the verses, while the faithful respond. Many litanies, however, can be recited privately as well, including these popular litanies. Litany of the Saints Litany of the Holy Spirit Litany of Saint Joseph Litany of Humility Litany of the Most Holy Name of Jesus Advent Prayers Advent wreath with four candles lit for the Fourth Week of Advent. MKucova/Getty Images Like Lent, Advent, the season of preparation for Christmas, is a time of increased prayer (as well as penance and almsgiving). The following prayers can be used in conjunction with Advent customs such as the Advent wreath. The Saint Andrew Christmas Novena Advent Wreath Prayer for the First Week of Advent Advent Wreath Prayer for the Second Week of Advent Advent Wreath Prayer for the Third Week of Advent Advent Wreath Prayer for the Fourth Week of Advent The O Antiphons O Antiphon for December 17 O Antiphon for December 18 O Antiphon for December 19 O Antiphon for December 20 O Antiphon for December 21 O Antiphon for December 22 O Antiphon for December 23 Catholic Prayers for Each Month The Catholic Church dedicates each month of the year to a specific devotion. Find the devotions and prayers for each month here. January: The Holy Name of Jesus February: The Holy Family March: Saint Joseph April: The Blessed Sacrament May: The Blessed Virgin Mary June: The Sacred Heart July: The Precious Blood August: The Immaculate Heart of Mary September: Our Lady of Sorrows October: The Holy Rosary November: The Holy Souls in Purgatory December: The Immaculate Conception Cite this Article Format mla apa chicago Your Citation ThoughtCo. "Catholic Prayers for All Needs and Special Intentions." Learn Religions, Feb. 8, 2021, learnreligions.com/catholic-prayers-for-all-needs-4108120. ThoughtCo. (2021, February 8). Catholic Prayers for All Needs and Special Intentions. Retrieved from https://www.learnreligions.com/catholic-prayers-for-all-needs-4108120 ThoughtCo. "Catholic Prayers for All Needs and Special Intentions." Learn Religions. https://www.learnreligions.com/catholic-prayers-for-all-needs-4108120 (accessed February 8, 2023). copy citation