Prayers
You are not alone.
Read these prayers quietly to yourself. Or follow along as they are read aloud to you. Let them remind you that strength can be found even in the lowest moments.
Listening voice
St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle. Be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray, and do thou, O Prince of the heavenly hosts, by the power of God, thrust into hell Satan and all the evil spirits who prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen.
Although I have often abandoned you, O Lord, you have never abandoned me. Your hand of love is always outstretched towards me, even when I stubbornly look the other way. And your gentle voice constantly calls me, even when I obstinately refuse to listen. When the sins in my soul are increasing, I lose the taste for virtuous things. Yet even at such moments, Lord, I know I am failing you and failing myself. You alone can restore my taste for virtue. There are so many false friends willing to encourage sin. But your friendship alone can give the strength of mind to resist and defeat sin. What a good friend you are, Lord! You are so patient, willing to wait as long as necessary for me to turn to you. You rejoice at the times when I love you, but you do not hold against me the times when I ignore you. Your patience is beyond my understanding. Even when I pray, my mind fills with worldly concerns and vain daydreams. Yet you are happy if I give only a single second of honest prayer, turning that second into a seed of love. O Lord, I enjoy your friendship so much, why is it not possible for me to think of you constantly? — Saint Teresa of Avila
Lord, when I feel weak, remind me that your strength is enough. When I feel alone, remind me that you are with me. When I want to give up, remind me that this moment will pass and that I am worth the fight. Give me the courage to choose today, the patience to try again tomorrow, and the hope to believe that healing is possible. Help me to be gentle with myself, bold in my choices, and faithful in my recovery. Amen.
God, grant me the serenity To accept the things I cannot change, The courage to change the things I can, And the wisdom to know the difference. Living one day at a time, Enjoying one moment at a time, Accepting hardship as a pathway to peace, Taking, as Jesus did, This sinful world as it is, Not as I would have it. Trusting that You will make all things right, If I surrender to Your will, So that I may be reasonably happy in this life, And supremely happy with You forever in the next. Amen.
Dear God, Today feels heavy. The road feels long. I am tired, and part of me wants to quit. But I am still here. That is enough for right now. Breathe courage into me. Wrap peace around me. Help me take just one more step. I do not have to be perfect. I only have to keep choosing to get back up. Thank you for never giving up on me. Amen.