Lord, teach us to pray.

O Jesus, through the Immaculate Heart of Mary, I offer You my prayers, works, joys, and sufferings of this day, in union with the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass throughout the world. I offer them for all the intentions of Your Sacred Heart: the salvation of souls, reparation for sin, and the reunion of all Christians. I offer them for the intentions of our bishops and of all members of the Apostleship of Prayer, and in particular for those recommended by our Holy Father this month. Amen.

If the long form feels like too much for a beginning, this shorter offering carries the same intention:

Lord, I give you this day. My work, my words, my patience, my failures. Use them as You will. Keep me close to Your heart, and to the people You have placed near me. Amen.

1. 01

   Become aware of God's presence

   Pause for a moment and remember that God has been with you all day, even in the moments you did not notice.

2. 02

   Review the day with gratitude

   Walk back through the hours. Name the gifts: a small kindness, a meal, a moment of peace, work that went well, a person who was patient with you.

3. 03

   Pay attention to your feelings

   Notice what stirred in you today: consolation, restlessness, fear, joy, anger. These movements are how the Spirit often speaks.

4. 04

   Choose one moment and pray with it

   Pick one thing — a temptation, a quarrel, a grace — and bring it honestly to God. Ask for what you need: forgiveness, courage, light, healing.

5. 05

   Look toward tomorrow

   End by asking the Lord to help you meet what is coming. Resolve one small, concrete thing. Then place the day, and the next, in His hands.

Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thy intercession was left unaided. Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto thee, O Virgin of virgins, my Mother; to thee do I come, before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in thy mercy hear and answer me. Amen.

When peace feels far, this short, ancient cry to the Father of Christ may steady the soul:

Jesus, meek and humble of heart, make my heart like unto Thine.

Sub Tuum Praesidium — the oldest known Marian prayer, found on a third-century Egyptian papyrus:

We fly to thy patronage, O holy Mother of God; despise not our petitions in our necessities, but deliver us always from all dangers, O glorious and blessed Virgin. Amen.

Anima Christi — long beloved by St. Ignatius and prayed widely after Communion or in adoration:

Soul of Christ, sanctify me. Body of Christ, save me. Blood of Christ, inebriate me. Water from the side of Christ, wash me. Passion of Christ, strengthen me. O good Jesus, hear me. Within Thy wounds hide me. Permit me not to be separated from Thee. From the wicked foe defend me. At the hour of my death call me, and bid me come to Thee, that with Thy saints I may praise Thee forever and ever. Amen.

Spend time before going. Ask the Holy Spirit for light. Then walk through the commandments slowly. The USCCB provides a complete examination based on the Ten Commandments (linked below). For a brief start, ask:

• Have I placed anything before God — wealth, status, control, fear, comfort?
• Have I used the name of God or holy things carelessly?
• Have I kept the Lord's Day with worship and rest?
• Have I honored my parents and those rightly in authority?
• Have I harmed anyone in word, action, or silence — including myself?
• Have I been chaste in thought, look, and act, according to my state in life?
• Have I taken what is not mine, in goods, time, attention, or credit?
• Have I lied, gossiped, slandered, or refused to tell a needed truth?
• Have I let my heart covet what belongs to others?

When ready, pray the Act of Contrition — at the start of confession, or quietly before:

O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended Thee, and I detest all my sins because I dread the loss of Heaven and the pains of Hell, but most of all because they offend Thee, my God, who art all-good and deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve, with the help of Thy grace, to confess my sins, to do penance, and to amend my life. Amen.

• Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.
• Jesus, I trust in You.
• My Lord and my God. (St. Thomas the Apostle, John 20:28)
• Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us.
• Mary, Mother of mercy, pray for us.
• All for Jesus, through Mary, in union with St. Joseph.
• Jesus, meek and humble of heart, make my heart like unto Thine.
• Come, Holy Spirit. Fill the hearts of Your faithful.
• Lord, I believe; help my unbelief. (Mark 9:24)

You are not meant to pray all of these. Pick one for the week, and let it become the prayer your mouth reaches for when nothing else comes.