Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. I Thessalonians 5:16-18
Prayer is a wonderful gift from God to His Church. In the First Commandment we are told that there is but one God whom we ought to worship. And in the Second Commandment we are told He has a name. While the second commandment tells us not to misuse that name it also means we should use it rightly. Rather than treat it as a magic talisman or even a worthless thing we should call upon it in every trouble, pray praise and give thanks with His name upon our lips.
Prayer isn’t a power that we perform but rather it is our response to the Lord in what He has done for us and promises to do. The power in prayer then comes from our Heavenly Father who hears the prayers of His children and graciously acts.
Prayer also should never be a burden to the Christian, placing anxiety on him in forming the perfect words. Because of this, Christ gave us the Lord’s Prayer that we might be confident that we are heard and our Father will answer. Below you will find many prayers of the Church both old and new for all sorts of occasions.
In addition to the prayers below, please feel free to contact our prayer chain that the whole church might pray for you as well.
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. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen.
MORNING PRAYER In the morning when you get up, make the sign of the holy cross and say: In the name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Then, kneeling or standing, repeat the Creed and the Lord’s Prayer. If you choose, you may also say this little prayer: I thank You, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have kept me this night from all harm and danger; and I pray that You would keep me this day also from sin and every evil, that all my doings and life may please You. For into Your hands I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me. Amen. Then go joyfully to your work, singing a hymn, like that of the Ten Commandments, or whatever your devotion may suggest.
EVENING PRAYER In the evening when you go to bed, make the sign of the holy cross and say: In the name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Then kneeling or standing, repeat the Creed and the Lord’s Prayer. If you choose, you may also say this little prayer: I thank You, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have graciously kept me this day; and I pray that You would forgive me all my sins where I have done wrong, and graciously keep me this night. For into Your hands I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me. Amen. Then go to sleep at once and in good cheer.
PRAYERS FOR MEALS (BEFORE AND AFTER) Before eating the children and members of the household shall go to the table reverently, fold their hands, and say: The eyes of all look to You, [O LORD,] and You give them their food at the proper time. You open Your hand and satisfy the desires of every living thing. (Ps. 145: 15–16) Then shall be said the Lord’s Prayer and the following: Lord God, heavenly Father, bless us and these Your gifts which we receive from Your bountiful goodness, through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. Also, after eating, they shall, in like manner, reverently and with folded hands say: Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good. His love endures forever. [He] gives food to every creature. He provides food for the cattle and for the young ravens when they call. His pleasure is not in the strength of the horse, nor His delight in the legs of a man; the LORD delights in those who fear Him, who put their hope in His unfailing love. (Ps. 136:1, 25; 147:9–11) Then shall be said the Lord’s Prayer and the following: We thank You, Lord God, heavenly Father, for all Your benefits, through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit forever and ever. Amen.
FOR PATIENT ENDURANCE Gracious God, I am troubled and disheartened. Time is a heavy burden for me. I grow weary, discouraged, and fearful because of my problems. Yet I know You can rescue me from my confusion. You set the stars to move in precise rhythm, and You can bring order to my affairs. To You a thousand years are but a day, and you give me the patience live today as a day of grace. To You one day can be a thousand years, and You can help me to live today with the hope and patience of eternity. In Jesus Christ, Your Son, You have begun the new age of life and immortality. In Him give me courage and strength. Amen.
THANKSGIVING AND PRAYER Great and wonders God, Creator and Keeper of the world, You are so high above and beyond my little thoughts and ways that I cannot by my own reason or strength comprehend the extent and fullness of Your being. With thanks and praise I acknowledge Your majesty and power. Because in Your steadfast love and mercy you have made yourself my Father in Jesus Christ and re-created me in the image of His holiness, I cannot by my own reasoning or strength comprehend the extent and fullness of Your love. In faith I thank and praise Your grace and mercy. You do so much for me without any merit in me that all I can do is thank and praise Your holy name through Jesus Christ, my Lord. Amen.