In the past few sessions we have been learning about different kinds of prayer – adoration, thanksgiving, confession, asking, and prayers to the Saints.  Now we are going to see how, when they are all put together, they form our morning and evening prayers.

Morning prayers

Remembering God’s Presence

First we will take our morning prayers.  When we kneel down, we must be careful not to start saying our prayers straight away.  First of all we have to be quiet and remember the Presence of God.  If we don’t do that, then, instead of saying our prayers, we shall just recite them as though we were reciting poetry.  So start by making the sign of the Cross and spend, say, half a minute, in remembering that God is with you and that what you are going to say, you are going to say to him. 

The Lord’s Prayer

Then you can say the Our Father carefully.

Worship

Next we make an act of worship or adoration, such as, “Blessed be the most holy and undivided Trinity now and for evermore”, or “Glory be to the Father, and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end.  Amen”.

Thanksgiving

Next, thank God for having looked after you during the past night and for all his goodness to you during your life.  So we should thank God for creating us (that is, making us) in his own image to share his eternal glory, for our health, our home and relations and friends, for making us members of his Church, for giving us the Sacraments, and above all for his birth in Bethlehem and his death upon the Cross for the salvation of our unworthy souls.

Giving yourself to God and asking for help

After that, look ahead over the coming day: think of the chief things you will be doing; and then give yourself to God so that you may belong to him and please him in everything.  As you cannot do that on your own, ask him to help you all through the day, especially in any difficulties and temptations which you may have to face.

Lastly, ask your patron Saint, to pray for you, and your Guardian Angel to protect you: “St Stephen, pray for me.  My Guardian Angel, please watch over me this day”.  And you can end by making the sign of the Cross and saying the Grace: “The grace of Our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with us all evermore”.