Draw near to God and he will draw near to you. James 4:8
If you want to get to know someone, you have to spend time with them, right? Spending time daily with Jesus in prayer is the way to get to know Him. Consider setting aside 15 minutes each morning before school to be with Jesus. Here are a few steps that you can follow in daily prayer time:
Fix your eyes on Jesus
Start your time of prayer by focusing on God and asking God to speak to you during your prayer. Turn your life over to God and ask God to work in your heart.
Thanksgiving
Spend time thanking God for the blessings you have received in your life.
Scripture
Read the scripture passage of the day. Ask yourself questions such as: “Who do I identify with in this scripture passage?” “What does this passage say to me?”
Reflecting and Listening
Ask yourself, “What is God saying to me through this scripture? Is God using this passage to tell me something? To ask me to do something?”
Intercession
Pray that you will become closer to God, that you will become more and more like Christ. Pray for your own needs and the needs of those you love.
Resolution
What do you want to do in response to what you have read and heard in this morning’s prayer time? We suggest that you journal your resolution. Conclude with an “Our Father” or whatever prayers you like.
Prayer is our avenue to a relationship with God. God is available to us every moment of every day. Let’s decide to make ourselves available to God.
APOSTLES CREED
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord; Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried, He descended into hell; the third day He arose again from the dead; He ascended into Heaven, sitteth at the right hand of God, the Father Almighty, from thence He shall come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Holy Catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting. Amen.
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 though 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 Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
OH MY JESUS
O my Jesus, forgive us our sins and save us from the fires of hell. Lead all souls to heaven, especially those in most need of Thy mercy. Amen.
HAIL HOLY QUEEN
Hail, Holy Queen, Mother of Mercy, our life, our sweetness, and our hope. To thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve. To thee do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this valley of tears. Turn then, most gracious advocate, thine eyes of mercy towards us; and after this our exile, show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Oh clement, oh loving, oh sweet Virgin Mary! Pray for us, oh Holy Mother of God. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
THE ROSARY
Joyful Mysteries
(Generally prayed on Mondays and Thursdays, but also said on Sundays from the beginning of Advent until Lent.)
• 1st Decade: The Annunciation of Our Lord (Luke 1:31-32)
• 2nd Decade: The Visitation (Luke 1:42, 45)
• 3rd Decade: The Nativity of Jesus (Luke 2:6-7)
• 4th Decade: The Presentation in the Temple (Luke 2:22)
• 5th Decade: The Finding in the Temple (Luke 2:46-47)
Sorrowful Mysteries
(Generally prayed on Tuesdays and Fridays, but also said on Sundays during Lent.)
• 1st Decade: The Agony in the Garden (Matthew 26:36, 39)
• 2nd Decade: The Scourging at the Pillar (Matthew 27:25-26)
• 3rd Decade: The Crowning with Thorns (Matthew 27: 28-29)
• 4th Decade: The Carrying of the Cross (John 19:17-18)
• 5th Decade: The Crucifixion and Death (Luke 23:45-46)
Glorious Mysteries
(Generally prayed on Wednesdays and Saturdays, but also said on Sundays from Easter until Advent.)
• 1st Decade: The Resurrection of Our Lord (Matthew 28:5-6)
• 2nd Decade: The Ascension into Heaven (Luke 24:50-51)
• 3rd Decade: The Descent of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:3-4)
• 4th Decade: The Assumption of Mary (Judith 13:18)
• 5th Decade: The Coronation of Mary (Revelations 12:1)
Luminous Mystery
(Generally prayed on Thursdays.)
• 1st Decade: The Baptism of Jesus (Matthew 3:17)
• 2nd Decade : The Miracle at Cana (John 2:1-12)
• 3rd Decade: The Proclamation of the Kingdom (Mark 1:15)
• 4th Decade: The Transfiguration (Luke 9:28-35)
• 5th Decade: The Institution of the Eucharist (John 13)
Praying the Rosary
The Order
• While holding the crucifix make the Sign of the Cross and then recite the Apostle’s Creed.
• Recite the Our Father for the Pope on the first large bead.
• Recite the Hail Mary for an increase of faith, hope, and love on each of the three small beads.
• After the 3 Hail Marys recite the Glory Be and the O My Jesus.
• Recall the first Rosary Mystery and recite the Our Father on the large bead.
• On each of the ten small beads (referred to as a “decade”) recite a Hail Mary while reflecting on the mystery.
• After the 10 Hail Marys, pray the Glory Be and the O My Jesus.
• Each of the following decades are prayed similarly by recalling the appropriate mystery, reciting the Our Father, 10 Hail Marys, the Glory Be, and the O My Jesus prayer while reflecting on the mystery.
• When the fifth mystery is completed, the Rosary is concluded with the Hail Holy Queen.