Sunday, August 8, 2010

Three Favorite Prayers

I've been tagged by Anne at Imprisoned in My Bones to list my three favorite prayers. 

I'm sure most of you that read this blog also read Anne's - so I don't need to gush on and on about what an inspiring blog she hosts.  (But I certainly will upon request ...)

I have to admit, this MEME really got me thinking.  After long introspection, I learned that the prayers I gravitate to are either traditional or short/plainspeak.  I'm assuming the spirit of this MEME is to share new or less common prayers with each other, so I will focus my list on the latter.   (Otherwise, I would obviously have to start and end the list with the Our Father - the perfect prayer given to us by Jesus himself.)

Ok, here goes.  You all know the first one, but perhaps not the second two ...

1)  The Fatima Prayer  
Oh my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell, lead all souls to Heaven, especially those that most need Thy mercy.  Amen.

Why this prayer?  For starters, it was given  to us by Mary (if you believe in the Fatima miracle).  Second, in just a few words it requests (a) forgiveness, (b) a path to Paradise, and (c) mercy on those souls in need.   How's that for efficiency?


2)  Morning Prayer
Lord, thank you for this beautiful day.  Please help me to do everything in my power for your honor and glory.


Why this prayer?  It's one of the first "non-traditional" prayers I ever learned.  It was taught to me through a sermon by the late, great, Fr. Joseph Rosetti (who God blessed with 100 years on this earth).  I'll never forget how he emphasized the word beautiful - so that it was clear that every day should be considered as such because it is a gift from God.  


It also keeps me focused on what the day should really be about - God's will.  


3)  Mind and Heart
Jesus, please fill my mind with your Peace and my heart with Your Love.


Ironically, I just learned this one yesterday from a traveling priest at a Church I was visiting.  (There goes God, working in his mysterious way again ...)  I've actually prayed versions of this before, but I usually clutter them up by adding "and also ..." to them.  This one is clean and simple.  Could you imagine how wonderful this world would be if we all let Jesus fill our minds and hearts?


*As with all of my lists, this one is subject to change the minute I hit "publish post".

God Bless.

5 comments:

Anne said...

Michael, thank you so much for your kind words about my blog-no need to gush any further, I'm already blushing!

I like how you call the Fatima prayer-efficient. I always seem to lean toward the poetic, flowing, wordy prayers, but maybe God doesn't need all of that. Maybe all He wants are a few, simple, deeply meant words repeated frequently and then, our entire life becomes our prayer. It makes much sense, no?

Thanks for playing along-I like your list! It really says something about who you are and the values that are important in your life.

Happy Catholic said...

They say you can tell a lot about a person by the books they read. I think the same is true for prayers - and your favorites are wonderful windows into a faithful heart. God Bless.

Victor S E Moubarak said...

I think you're right about prayers ... I tend to say the Lord's prayer, the Hail Mary and so on ... but generally it's "plainspeak" as you say.

I speak, and God searches for the headache tablets!!!

God bless.

Anonymous said...

I also tend to say the more traditional prayers but these are quite beautiful. I hope you have a wonderful week. God bless you Michael.....

Elizabeth Mahlou said...

Thanks for the explanation of the Fatima prayer. I know the Fatima prayer; we use it when we say the rosary (whenever I get a chance to join my friends after daily Mass, which is far too infrequent), but I had never known the source. Thanks!