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 Funerals and Memorial Services Christian Holidays Christian Entertainment Key Terms in Christianity Latter Day Saints View More By ThoughtCo Updated 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 KnowThe Sign of the CrossThe Act of ContritionGrace Before MealsGrace After MealsThe Guardian Angel PrayerThe 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 NovenaNovena to Our Lady of LourdesNovena to the Holy FamilyNovena of Confidence to the Sacred HeartNovena to Saint JosephNovena to Saint Joseph the WorkerDivine Mercy NovenaNovena to the Holy GhostNovena to Saint Anthony to Find a Lost ArticleNovena to Saint Anthony for Any NeedNovena to Saint ExpeditusNovena to Saint Jude and the Sacred Heart of JesusThe Expectation of the Blessed Virgin MaryMiraculous Novena of GraceNovena to St. Frances Xavier CabriniNovena to Saint Charles BorromeoNovena to St. Anthony Mary ClaretNovena 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 QueenTo the Blessed Virgin Mary for MayInvocations to the Blessed Virgin MaryFor the Help of the Blessed Virgin MaryPrayer of Saint Augustine to the Blessed VirginPetition to Mary by Saint Alphonsus LiguoriPrayer 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 AdorationFor the Peace of ChristPetition Before the Blessed SacramentAn 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 HeartTo the Heart of Jesus in the EucharistAct of Love to the Sacred HeartAct of Consecration to the Sacred HeartInvocation to the Sacred HeartNovena 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 GhostAct of Consecration to the Holy GhostPrayer for the Gifts of the Holy SpiritPrayer for the Seven Gifts of the Holy GhostLitany of the Holy SpiritPrayer to the Holy Spirit for a FavorCome Holy SpiritAct 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 RestWeekly Prayers for the Faithful DepartedA Prayer for a Deceased MotherA Prayer for a Deceased FatherDe 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 SaintsLitany of the Holy SpiritLitany of Saint JosephLitany of HumilityLitany 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 NovenaAdvent Wreath Prayer for the First Week of AdventAdvent Wreath Prayer for the Second Week of AdventAdvent Wreath Prayer for the Third Week of AdventAdvent Wreath Prayer for the Fourth Week of AdventThe O AntiphonsO Antiphon for December 17O Antiphon for December 18O Antiphon for December 19O Antiphon for December 20O Antiphon for December 21O Antiphon for December 22O 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 JesusFebruary: The Holy FamilyMarch: Saint JosephApril: The Blessed SacramentMay: The Blessed Virgin MaryJune: The Sacred HeartJuly: The Precious BloodAugust: The Immaculate Heart of MarySeptember: Our Lady of SorrowsOctober: The Holy RosaryNovember: The Holy Souls in PurgatoryDecember: The Immaculate Conception