Prayers

I draw near to the table of your most delectable banquet, dear Lord Jesus Christ. A sinner, I trust not in my own merit; but, in fear and trembling, I rely on your mercy and goodness. I have a heart and body marked by my grave offenses, and a mind and a tongue I have not guarded well. For this reason, God of loving kindness and awesome majesty, I, a sinner caught by many snares, seek safe refuge in you. For you are the fountain of mercy.

I would fear to draw near to you as my judge, but I seek you out as my Savior. Lord, I show you my wounds, and I let you see my shame. Knowing my sins are many and great, I have reason to fear. But I trust in your mercies, for they are beyond all numbering.

Look upon me with mercy, for I trust in you, my Lord Jesus Christ, eternal king, God and man, you who were crucified for mankind. Have mercy upon me, you who never cease to make the fountain of your mercy flow, for I am full of sorrows and sins.

I praise you, the saving Victim offered on the wood of the cross for me and for all mankind. I praise the noble Blood that flows from the wounds of my Lord Jesus Christ, the precious Blood that washes away the sins of all the world.

Remember, Lord, your creature, whom you have redeemed with your own Blood. I am sorry that I have sinned, and I long to put right what I have done. Most kind Father, take away all my offenses and sins, so that, purified in body and soul, I may be made worthy to taste the Holy of holies.

And grant that this holy meal of your Body and Blood, which I intend to take, although I am unworthy, may bring forgiveness of my sins and wash away my guilt. May it mean the end of my evil thoughts and the rebirth of my better longings. May it lead me securely to live in ways that please you, and may it be a strong protection for body and soul, against the plots of my enemies. Amen.

Almighty and ever-living God, I approach the sacrament of your only-begotten Son, our Lord Jesus Christ.

I come sick to the doctor of life, unclean to the fountain of mercy, blind to the radiance of eternal light, poor and needy to the Lord of heaven and earth.

Lord, in your great generosity, heal my sickness, wash away my defilement, enlighten my blindness, enrich my poverty, and clothe my nakedness.

May I receive the Bread of angels, the King of kings, and Lord of lords, with such reverence and humility, such contrition and devotion, such purity and faith, and such resolve and determination as will help bring me to eternal salvation. Grant me, I pray, the grace of receiving not only the sacrament of our Lord’s body and blood, but also the grace and power of the sacrament.

Grant most kind God, that I may receive the Body of your only-begotten Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, which he received from the Virgin Mary, and may receive it in such a way that I become a loving part of his Mystical Body and counted among his members.

Loving Father, as on my earthly pilgrimage I now receive your beloved Son under the veil of a sacrament, may I one day see him face to face in glory, who lives and reigns with you forever and ever. Amen.

“When I found your words, I devoured them; your words were my joy, the happiness of my heart, because I bear your name, LORD, God of hosts” (Jer 15:16).

Jesus, you are the Word of God and the Lamb of God; you sustain us through your Word and your Presence. As doing the will of the Father and communing with the Father were your meat, likewise, doing your will and communing with you is our meat—our sustenance for the journey to the Father. And nowhere is this truer and more potent than communing with you in the Eucharist, as you yourself call us to do.

Lord, infuse me with an ever-greater appreciation for your real presence in the Eucharist. May I ponder the real presence of your human body and soul and even more so ponder the real presence of your boundless divinity! Remind me always that the point of your presence is to strengthen me and incorporate me into your divine life. May I no more dwell on chewing your flesh and bone than chewing on your humanity and divinity!

Lord, I contemplate your real presence in the Eucharist. I profess this Gift of gifts to be true food for the journey to the Father. This Bread of Heaven strengthens your living disciples for the long journey home, and it unites us to one another through you. Indeed, the Eucharist unites us to your Passion, death, and Resurrection; it unites us to the Last Supper, every mass, and reaches out and touches the Eternal Banquet.

Oh Lord of infinite, all-giving love, how you long to commune with me, if I will but admit my faults and ask your forgiveness. Indeed, Lord, forgive this foolish sinner and welcome me to your banquet! And let me treasure this banquet and all it offers. Amen.

VW Malzahn

I believe, O Lord, and I confess that you are truly the Christ, the Son of the Living God, who came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the chief.

And I believe that this is your pure Body and your own precious Blood. Therefore, I pray to you, have mercy on me and forgive my transgressions, voluntary and involuntary, in word and deed, known and unknown.

And grant that I may partake of your Holy Mysteries without condemnation, for the remission of sins and for life eternal. Amen.

Sweet Jesus, you proclaimed yourself the bread of life, come down from heaven (Jn 6:35). You are “the Bread sown in the virgin, leavened in the Flesh, molded in [your] Passion, baked in the furnace of the Tomb, placed in the Churches, and set upon the Altars, which daily supplies Heavenly Food to the faithful” (St. Peter Chrysologus). “If angels could be jealous of men, they would be so for one reason: Holy Communion” (St. Maximilian Kolbe). When I receive you, help me stir up my heart to do you homage, to speak to you about my spiritual life, and to gaze upon you in my soul where you are present for my happiness. May I welcome you as warmly as possible, and behave outwardly in such a way that my actions may give proof to all of your Presence (St. Francis de Sales, adapted). Amen.

Stay with me, Lord, for it is necessary to have You present so that I do not forget You. You know how easily I abandon You.

Stay with me Lord, because I am weak, and I need Your strength, so that I may not fall so often.

Stay with me Lord, for You are my life, and without You, I am without fervor.

Stay with me Lord, for You are my light, and without you, I am in darkness.

Stay with me Lord, to show me Your will.

Stay with me Lord, so that I hear Your voice and follow You.

Stay with me Lord, for I desire to love you very much, and always be in Your Company.

Stay with me Lord, if You wish me to be faithful to You.

Stay with me Lord, for as poor as my soul is, I want it to be a place of consolation for You, a nest of Love.

Stay with me, Jesus, for it is getting late, and the day is coming to a close, and life passes, death, judgment, eternity approach. It is necessary to renew my strength, so that I will not stop along the way and for that, I need You. It is getting late and death approaches. I fear the darkness, the temptations, the dryness, the cross, the sorrows. O how I need You, my Jesus, in this night of exile.

Stay with me tonight, Jesus, in life with all its dangers, I need You.

Let me recognize You as Your disciples did at the breaking of bread, so that the Eucharistic Communion be the light which disperses the darkness, the force which sustains me, the unique joy of my heart.

Stay with me Lord, because at the hour of my death, I want to remain united to you, if not by Communion, at least by grace and love.

Stay with me Jesus, I do not ask for divine consolation because I do not merit it, but the gift of Your presence, oh yes, I ask this of You.

Stay with me Lord, for it is You alone I look for, Your Love, Your Grace, Your Will, Your Heart, Your Spirit, because I love You and ask no other reward but to love You more and more.

With a firm love, I will love You with all my heart while on earth and continue to love You perfectly during all eternity. Amen.

Soul of Christ, sanctify me,
Body of Christ, save me.
Blood of Christ, inebriate me.
Water from Christ’s side, wash me.
Passion of Christ, strengthen me.
O good Jesus, hear me.
Within your wounds hide me.
Suffer me not to be separated from you.
From the malicious enemy defend me.
In the hour of my death call me,
And bid me come to you,
That I may praise you,
With your saints and angels,
Forever and ever. Amen.

Lord Jesus Christ, take all my freedom, my memory, my under-standing, and my will. All that I have and cherish you have given me. I surrender it all to be guided by Your will. Your grace and Your love are enough for me. Give me these, Lord Jesus, and I ask for nothing more. Amen.

Lord, I open myself to you. I open my mind and my body, my soul and my spirit—I open my entire being to you.

Oh Lord, open the floodgates of your grace; “wash away my iniquity, cleanse me from my sins.” Fill me with your Holy Spirit and let me overflow with your divine love.

VW Malzahn

As Morning breaks I think of you, O Lord, and my desire is to serve you joyfully. With gladness, I consecrate this day to your Sacred Heart, and offer whatever joys and sacrifices may come my way. I join my trials and sacrifices to your Passion, death, and Resurrection for the conversion of sinners, especially myself and those around me.

Thank you for the graces you will send, all the love, all the beauty, and the ways you will answer my prayers.

Today, may I love my enemies and treat others as I would ask to be treated; may I forgive seventy times seven and show mercy; may I welcome the prodigal and have compassion for the Samaritan; may I be a peace-maker and love my neighbor unconditionally.

Take all my heart and mind and strength, O Lord, that this day may be truly lived for your greater honor and glory and for the salvation of souls.

May everything I do, every word spoken, all the work done, be done with the greatest care and love, ever conscious that everything, especially my work, is my daily offering to you on your heavenly altar. That my work is my expression of love and devotion to you, and an offering for the progress of myself and all my brothers and sister on the journey to you, and to our common house in Heaven.

May you be glorified in everything!

AMEN

Expanded by

VW Malzahn

Lord, I open myself to you. I love you, and I draw near to you.

I praise you, oh Lord! For all the beauty and wonder of creation, for our creation in your own image, for the Incarnation, death, and Resurrection of your Son, for our adoption into your divine family, for our sweet difficult journey to you, for every grace and help, all praises and glory be yours, now and forever.

May add spontaneous praise here.

I repent of my sinfulness, oh Lord! For every time I chose my way rather than your way, for every surge of pride or independence, for every time I lacked forgiveness, for every withdrawal from your nearness and peace, for being overly concerned about what others think of me, for concern over worldly status and achievements, for too often choosing the easiest path, for giving too much importance to pleasure, for not seeking you more fully in prayer and the virtues, I beg your forgiveness, merciful Father.

May add spontaneous repentance here.

I ask for your divine help, oh Lord! For the promotion of truth and justice everywhere, for the flourishing of the new evangelization within the Church, for the conversion of the lost everywhere, for the continued and fuller conversion of all who know you, for all the souls in purgatory, hear my prayers, Oh generous Lord.

May add spontaneous petitions here.

I yield to your divine will, oh Lord! As you designed me and know my deepest needs, as you see in this moment the entirety of my life, as you work all things to my eternal good, as you do likewise for all those I love, I yield to your will, oh trustworthy Lord!

Jesus, I trust in you!

All honor and glory be yours, now and forever. AMEN.

Version by

VW Malzahn

Lord Jesus, I need You. More than the parched need water, more than the weary need rest, more than the lonely need company, I need you. Thank You for seeking me out like the lost sheep, for welcoming me like the father of the prodigal son. Thank You for laying down Your life for my sake, for bridging the great chasm between God and mankind, for allowing me to truly become a child of God by integrating my life into Your life. I open myself to You, and I surrender my life to You. I promise to seek You more fully through prayer, through the practice of the virtues, and through service to others. May I be joyful and fearless in living a life of generous service in Your Spirit. And may I embrace Your great commission and help others likewise become living, growing disciples. All praise and glory be Yours, now and forever. AMEN.

AMEN

VW Malzahn

Lord, may I no longer splash about in the river of life, ever seeking my own ill-fated will!

Rather, Lord, let me quiet myself and carefully discern the current of your grace, of your will.

Rather, Lord, let me surrender myself to that gentle current and allow it to carry me where it may.

Rather, Lord, let me adapt myself to its gentle pull so well that I may wholeheartedly swim with your current.

Lord, may I swim in the current of your grace through this river of life, ever seeking your sweet will, come what may.

AMEN

VW Malzahn

I quiet myself to hear your still small voice, a voice not so much of words as spirit.

My souls seeks a still, small place to hear your still, small voice. A bare candle-lit room in the deepest, quietest recess of my soul. Quiet and dark, away from distractions.

In this peace I hear your still, small voice, and you indeed communicate peace—the peace that comes with trusting you.

In this joy I hear your still, small voice, and you indeed communicate joy—the joy that comes from doing your will.

In this love I hear your still, small voice, and you indeed communicate love—the love that comes from knowing you.

Convey to me in this still, small place deepest peace, greatest joy, abundant love. For indeed, these are the answers I seek, these are the path you call me to follow, and these are the life I seek in you.

AMEN

VW Malzahn

Heavenly Father, Beloved Brother, Dearest Friend, I come before you with the most difficult of prayers, the prayer you always answer with a glad “Yes.” The prayer far greater disciples have regretted at moments.

Lord, I see the truth and the saint was right: “All thought worth thinking is forged in the furnace of suffering.” The trials of this life help the pilgrim delve your truths, to surrender all else that you may be all in all for him.

I choose the journey to you and count all else as nothing in comparison. I choose to be recreated in your image, to see and love as you do. I fearfully know what I ask, and I know it is ultimately asked of all. I know that only through the cross was Christ glorified. I know that he requires me to pick up my own cross and follow him. I know I must be crucified with Christ to share in his life and glory. I accept my cross and gladly share in my Lord’s passion. And I ask you to add to its weight as necessary that I may hasten my journey home! Whatever it Takes, Lord!  Help me home.

AMEN

VW Malzahn

O Lord, grant me light to see myself as you see me and the grace to be truly sorry for my sins.

How have I neglected my relationship with you, my Lord and God?

How dedicated have I been to my prayer time and religious reading? To offering small prayers often during my busy day? To growing in the virtues? To preparing for the sacraments?

How have I neglected my relationship with family, friends, and others around me?

How have I failed to witness my faith in both word and deed? How have I been impatient or not given the other the benefit of the doubt or not endured their peculiarities for love of Christ?

How have I neglected my relationship with myself?

Have I sought too much after my own will and pleasure? Have I spent my time well? Have I carefully responded in all things according to your good pleasure?

O Lord, grant me the grace to be truly sorry for my sins and truly resolved to avoid all sin by your sweet grace.

AMEN

Version by

VW Malzahn

LORD, our Lord,
how awesome is your name through all the earth!
I will sing of your majesty above the heavens
with the mouths of babes and infants.
You have established a bulwark against your foes,
to silence enemy and avenger.
When I see your heavens, the work of your fingers,
the moon and stars that you set in place—
What is man that you are mindful of him,
and a son of man that you care for him?
Yet you have made him little less than a god,
crowned him with glory and honor.
You have given him rule over the works of your hands,
put all things at his feet:
All sheep and oxen,
even the beasts of the field,
The birds of the air, the fish of the sea,
and whatever swims the paths of the seas.
O LORD, our Lord,
how awesome is your name through all the earth!

Most merciful Jesus,
I turn to You in my need.
You are worthy of my complete trust.
You are faithful in all things.
When my life is filled with confusion, give me clarity and faith.
When I am tempted to despair, fill my soul with hope.

Most merciful Jesus,
I trust You in all things.
I trust in Your perfect plan for my life.
I trust You when I cannot comprehend Your divine Will.
I trust You when all feels lost.
Jesus, I trust You more than I trust myself.

Most merciful Jesus,
You are all-knowing.
Nothing is beyond Your sight.
You are all-loving.
Nothing in my life is beyond Your concern.
You are all-powerful.
Nothing is beyond Your grace.

Most merciful Jesus,
I trust in You,
I trust in You,
I trust in You.
May I trust You always and in all things.
May I daily surrender to Your Divine Mercy.

Most Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of Mercy,
Pray for us as we turn to you in our need.