Morning Prayer Structure
Silent Prayer: Morning Offering (3-5 minutes)
Focus: Offer your day to God in silence. This is a personal prayer, so no fixed words are required.
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Make the sign of the cross, followed by;
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“Lord, I offer You all my thoughts, words, and deeds of this day. May they be done according to Your will, for Your glory, and in love for You and my neighbor.”
Vocal Prayers: Traditional Prayers (5 minutes)
Our Father
- “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. Amen.”
Hail Mary
- “Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee; Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.”
Glory Be
- “Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.”
Fatima Prayer
- “O my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell, lead all souls to heaven, especially those in most need of Thy mercy.”
Evening Prayer Structure
Time: 10-20 minutes
Silent Prayer: Evening Examination of Conscience (5-10 minutes) Focus: In silence, reflect on the events of the day. Thank God for His blessings and acknowledge where you fell short.
Ask yourself:
- “Did I live according to my morning resolution?”
- “Where did I succeed in following God’s will?”
- “Where did I fail to love, and where do I need forgiveness?”
Steps:
- Gratitude: Silently thank God for specific blessings today.
- Review: In silence, reflect on your actions, thoughts, and words.
- Contrition: Ask for forgiveness for any faults or sins.
- Resolution: Make a concrete resolution for the next day (e.g., “Tomorrow, I will be more patient with my family”).
Vocal Prayer: Act of Contrition and Thanksgiving (3-5 minutes) Focus: Conclude your examination of conscience with a vocal Act of Contrition and a prayer of thanksgiving.
Act of Contrition:
- “O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended You, and I detest all my sins because of Your just punishments, but most of all because they offend You, my God, who are all good and deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve, with the help of Your grace, to sin no more and to avoid the near occasion of sin.”
Thanksgiving Prayer: A simple vocal prayer thanking God for the blessings of the day.
- “Thank You, Lord, for guiding me through this day. Thank You for the grace to see Your hand in my life.”
Vocal Prayers: Traditional Prayers (5 minutes)
Our Father
- “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. Amen.”
Hail Mary
- “Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee; Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.”
Glory Be
- “Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.”
Fatima Prayer
- “O my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell, lead all souls to heaven, especially those in most need of Thy mercy.”
Prayer to the Guardian Angel
- “Angel of God, my guardian dear, to whom His love entrusts me here, ever this night be at my side, to light and guard, to rule and guide. Amen.”
Silent Prayer: Entrusting the Night to God (1-2 minutes)
Focus: In silence, entrust yourself to God’s protection through the night.
- “Lord, I give You this night. Keep me safe, guard me from all harm, and grant me rest in Your peace.”