Published in 2017 in the U.S. and Canada by The Word Among Us Press Frederick, Maryland 21704 www.wau.org ISBN: 978-1-59325-319-6 Copyright © 2017 Anno Domini Publishing www.ad-publishing.com Text copyright © 2017 Angela M. Burrin Illustrations copyright © 2017 Andrew Everitt-Stuart Publishing Director: Annette Reynolds Art Director: Gerald Rogers Pre-production: Doug Hewitt Texts contained in this work derived whole or in part from liturgical texts copyrighted by the International Commission on English in the Liturgy (ICEL) have been published here with the confirmation of the Committee on Divine Worship, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. No other texts in this work have been formally reviewed or approved by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Excerpts from the English translation of The Roman Missal, Copyright © 2010, International Commission on English in the Liturgy Corporation (ICEL). All rights reserved. Examination of Conscience for Children was written by Fr. Thomas Weinandy, OFM Cap, and is reprinted with permission of the author. Printed and bound in China May 2017
God Is Listening to Me My Book of Catholic Prayers
Compiled by Angela M. Burrin Illustrated by Andrew Everitt-Stewart
Dear
[write your name here!], Do you know that God listens to you when you pray? God is listening because you are his child. He loves you and cares about everything you think, say, and do. Take a minute to imagine God saying to you, “I love when you talk to me!” There are many ways to talk to God. One way is to say traditional Catholic prayers. I’ve included many in this book.You may already know some of them, but you might find new ones too. God is also pleased when you just speak to him from your heart. In this book you will find simple prayers that you can use to talk to God, as well as “one-line” prayers you can say at any time. But don’t forget that you can make up your own prayers.You can talk to God about anything. Remember, God is always listening to you! I’m excited to think that this book will help you to have a special friendship with God. Put it in your prayer corner, take it to Mass, ask your parents to use it during your family prayer times, and share it with your friends. I pray that everyone who reads this book will be greatly blessed! Angela M. Burrin
This book belongs to
Given on
By
Contents 1. God, Who Are You? 10
3. Here I Am Again! 17
The Sign of the Cross The Glory Be The Our Father A Prayer to the Holy Spirit Come, Holy Spirit The Divine Praises A Prayer of Thanksgiving for My Baptism
A Prayer When I’m Sick A Prayer When I Don’t Get My Way A Prayer Before a Test A Prayer Before I Leave Home A Prayer Before Chores A Prayer When I’m Afraid A Prayer to Forgive Someone A Prayer When Visiting a Church The Angelus Grace Before and After Meals
Praying to the Trinity
2. Good Morning, Jesus! 14 PrayingWhenYouWake Up
Five Minutes in My Prayer Corner Psalm 118 A Prayer Offering My Day to Jesus A Prayer to My Guardian Angel
Praying During the Day
4. Good Night, Jesus! 22 Praying at the End ofYour Day
A Prayer Before Going to Bed Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep God, I’m Sorry! A Prayer Before a Crucifix Psalm 23
5. My Heavenly Mom 25 Praying to Mary
The Hail Mary The Hail, Holy Queen The Rosary A Prayer to Mary, My Mother
6. Someone Needs Help, God! 31 Praying for Others
A Prayer for My Mom and Dad A Prayer for My Brothers and Sisters A Prayer for People Who Are Sick A Prayer for the Homeless A Prayer for Our Pope A Prayer for All Who Serve the Church
9. I’m Sorry, Jesus 46
Praying Before and After Confession A Prayer Before Confession The Act of Contrition An Examination of Conscience for Children Psalm 51 The Chaplet of Divine Mercy The Jesus Prayer
7. Friends in High Places 35 10. A Heavenly Home 51 Praying to the Saints
A Prayer to Saint Joseph The Prayer of Saint Francis of Assisi The Breastplate of Saint Patrick A Prayer to Saint Teresa of Calcutta A Litany of the Saints A Prayer to My Patron Saint
8. Time for Church 39 Praying at Mass
A Prayer on the Way to Mass The Confiteor The Gloria The Nicene Creed The Sanctus The Memorial Acclamation The Lamb of God Lord, I Am Not Worthy A Prayer After Communion
PrayingWhen Someone Dies
Saints of God The Eternal Rest Prayer A Prayer for Someone Who Was Close to Me
11. Special Prayers for Special Times 54
Praying for Important Days and Events A Birthday Prayer A Prayer on My First Holy Communion A Prayer for the Beginning of the School Year A Prayer Before a Sports Event A Prayer Before a Big Trip or Vacation
12. Short and Sweet 57 One-Line Prayers
Parents’ Page 60
Chapter 1
God, Who Are You? Praying to the Trinity
“God saw everything he had made, and indeed, it was very good.” (Genesis 1:31)
Who is God? God is the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. He is three persons in one God. The Father created the world, and he created you. His Son, Jesus, came to earth. Jesus performed many miracles and taught us about his Father in heaven. He died on the cross for our sins so that we could be forgiven. Then he rose from the dead and is now alive and living in our hearts! The Holy Spirit was sent into the world by Jesus to help us to love God and one another. When you were baptized, you received the Holy Spirit and became part of God’s family.
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Here are two prayers to the Trinity— the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The Sign of the Cross In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
The Glory Be 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.
Here is the prayer that Jesus taught his disciples. The 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
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A Prayer to the Holy Spirit Holy Spirit, I’m happy that when I was baptized I received you into my heart. You are my special helper. When I find it difficult to be kind, obedient, or honest, you give me special graces to make good choices. Thank you for helping me to love Jesus. Amen.
Come Holy Spirit,
The Divine Praises
Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful, and kindle in them the fire of your love. Send forth your Spirit, and they shall be created. And you shall renew the face of the earth. Amen.
Blessed be God. Blessed be his Holy Name. Blessed be Jesus Christ, true God and true Man. Blessed be the Name of Jesus. Blessed be his Most Sacred Heart. Blessed be his Most Precious Blood. Blessed be Jesus in the Most Holy Sacrament of the altar. Blessed be the Holy Spirit, the Paraclete. Blessed be the great Mother of God, Mary most Holy. Blessed be her Holy and Immaculate Conception. Blessed be her glorious Assumption. Blessed be the name of Mary, Virgin and Mother. Blessed be Saint Joseph, her most chaste spouse. Blessed be God in his Angels and in his Saints. Amen.
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A Prayer of Thanksgiving for My Baptism When did you receive the Sacrament of Baptism? If you were a baby when you were baptized, perhaps you have never thanked God for the graces you received. Here’s a prayer you can say right now! I thank you, Jesus, that . . . Our special friendship began when I was baptized. My heavenly Father loves me and calls me his beloved child. The Holy Spirit lives in me and I now have new life.
I praise you, Jesus, that . . . Original sin was washed away in the waters of Baptism. I am a member of the Catholic Church. My parents and godparents are teaching me about the Catholic faith. I love you, Jesus. You are my Good Shepherd. You died on the cross for my sins. Every day I want to do what pleases you. I trust you, Jesus. I give you my heart. You are alive and always with me. You will never stop loving me! Amen.
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Chapter 2
Good Morning, Jesus! Praying When You Wake Up “Let the little children come to me.” (Mark 10:14)
Praying just means talking to God.You can pray anywhere and at any time. Remember, Jesus loves you and is listening to you. He wants to be your friend. So each morning after you wake up and before you jump out of bed, say, “Jesus, good morning. I love you.” A fun place to pray is in your very own “prayer corner.”You could make one in your bedroom. Put a small crucifix there, along with your Bible, your rosary, and some pictures of Jesus. What else could you add?
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Five Minutes in My Prayer Corner Here are some things you can do when you pray:
1
Open up your Bible Read one of your favorite stories. Ask yourself: What did I like best about the story? What will I remember about it?
2 3
Praise and thank God Father, I praise you for [mention something]. Jesus, I thank you for [mention something].
Pray for someone Jesus, please help
4
today.
Listen to the Holy Spirit Ask the Holy Spirit, “What do you want me to do for you today?� Then listen!
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Here are some other prayers you can pray in the morning.
Psalm 118 This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice in it and be glad. You are my God, I give you thanks; my God, I offer you praise. Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, his mercy endures forever.
A Prayer Offering My Day to Jesus Jesus, thank you for this new day. I will be doing lots of fun things today. I want to please you in everything I do. I don’t want to be so busy that I forget you. I know you won’t forget me! Jesus, whether I’m happy, sad, excited, angry, worried, or finding it hard to forgive someone, I know you will be with me to guide me and help me. Amen.
A Prayer to My Guardian Angel Angel of God, my guardian dear, to whom God’s love commits me here, every day be at my side, to light and guard, to rule and guide. Amen.
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