Prayer before and after each session teaches the couple valuable skills of praying together and introduces them to new ways of communicating.
Gathering to Pray
Traditional Catholic prayers are a good way to start. Personal expressions may be added in later meetings, as people become more comfortable. Read aloud one of the prayers provided, or use your own favorites. You may follow this plan:
- Read a selection from Scripture. (Demonstrate this skill.)
- Take a minute for all to silently reflect: "What is going on in my life that this reading calls to mind?"
- Invite anyone to comment on the reading or ask for prayers for any intention.
- Close the prayer time with the Sign of the Cross.
Closing with Prayer
- Wrap up your session with an invitation to prayer.
- "Let us thank God for bringing us together today, and for …" (allow participants to express themselves here, if they wish.)
- Close the prayer time with a word of blessing or other prayer of your choice.
Traditional Catholic Prayers and Blessings
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The Lord's Prayer
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,
For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours, forever.
Amen.
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Prayer to the Holy Spirit
L. Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful.
R. And kindle in them the fire of your love.
L. Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created.
R. And you will renew the face of the earth.
Let us pray:
Lord, by the light of the Holy Spirit you have taught the hearts of your faithful. In the same Spirit help us to relish what is right, and always rejoice in your consolation.
We ask this in Jesus' name. Amen.
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Hail Mary
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
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An Irish Blessing
May the road rise up to meet you,
May the wind be always at your back,
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
May the rains fall soft upon your fields,
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of his hand.
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Prayer of St. Francis
Lord, make me an instrument of Your peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
Where there is injury, pardon;
Where there is doubt, faith;
Where there is despair, hope;
Where there is darkness, light;
And where there is sadness, joy.
O Divine Master,
Grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console;
To be understood as to understand;
To be loved as to love;
For it is in giving that we receive;
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
And it is in dying
that we are born to eternal life.
Amen.
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Prayer of St. Ignatius
Lord, teach me to be generous:
Teach me to serve You as You deserve:
To give and not to count the cost,
To fight and not to heed the wounds,
To toil and not to seek for rest,
To labor and not to ask for reward save
That of knowing I am doing Your will.
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Prayer from Scripture
Hear, O Lord, the sound of my call;
have pity on me, and answer me.
Of you my heart speaks; you my glance seeks;
Your presence, O Lord, I seek.
You are my helper: cast me not off;
forsake me not, O God my savior.
I believe that I shall see the bounty of
the Lord in the land of the living.
Wait for courage; be stouthearted, and
wait for the Lord.
— Psalm 27:7-8;13-14 NAB
"See, the eyes of the Lord are upon those who fear him, upon those who hope for his kindness…. Our soul waits for the Lord, who is our help and our shield, for in him our hearts rejoice; in his holy name we trust. May your kindness, O Lord, be upon us who have put our hope in you."
— Psalm 33:18, 20-22 NAB
"… I kneel before the Father from whom every family in heaven and on earth takes its name; and I pray that he will bestow on you gifts in keeping with the riches of his glory. May he strengthen you inwardly through the working of his Spirit. May Christ dwell in your hearts through faith and may charity be the root and foundation of your life."
— Ephesians 3: 14-17 NAB
