rayer is the soul's sincere desire,
Unuttered or expressed;
The motion of a hidden fire
That trembles in the breast.

Prayer is the burden of a sigh,
The falling of a tear
The upward glancing of an eye,
When none but God is near.

Prayer is the simplest form of speech
That infant lips can try;
Prayer the sublimest strains that reach
The Majesty on high.

Prayer is the contrite sinner's voice,
Returning from his ways,
While angels in their songs rejoice
And cry, "Behold, he prays!"

Prayer is the Christian's vital breath,
The Christian's native air,
Our watchword at the gates of death;
We enter heaven with prayer.

The saints in prayer appear as one
In word and deed and mind,
While with the Father and the Son
Sweet fellowship they find.

Nor prayer is made by man alone,
The Holy Spirit pleads,
And Jesus on the eternal throne
For sinners intercedes.

O Thou, by Whom we come to God,
The Life, the Truth, the Way;
The path of prayer Thyself hast trod:
Lord, teach us how to pray!

--James Montgomery, 1818

t is sometimes hard to find words to express what is in our hearts when we talk with God.

The prayers at this site do not replace the constant, spontaneous communication we all need with the Lord. But perhaps they can help us begin to find words for some of the deeply felt experiences and emotions of our lives.

• Asking for God's mercy
Saint Jerome
• Be with me today, O Lord
• Birthday Blessings
• Bless the Earth, O Lord
Thomas Berry
• Christian Unity
• Discernment
Vasily Drosdov Philaret
• A father's prayer
• Fervor in thinking of God
Saint Thomas More
• Friends

• Grant eternal rest, O Lord
• Guidance
Saint Thomas Aquinas
• Keep His Passion in Mind
• Lord, look kindly on my child
• Mealtime Blessings
• Mother's prayer
• People in Need
Saint Anselm of Canterbury
• Protection in the Night
• Seeking God
Saint Ambrose of Milan
• The Serenity Prayer
• Sickness, prayer in
• Teach me your way, O Lord