Prayers

The Apostles’ Creed

The Apostles’ Creed is an ancient statement of Christian faith, widely used by many Christian denominations, though especially associated with liturgical traditions such as Roman Catholicism, Anglicanism, and some Protestant denominations. It is often recited in worship services and used in catechisms as a foundational summary of Christian belief.

It’s called the “Apostles’ Creed” because of the tradition that each of the twelve apostles contributed a clause to it. However, while its roots are indeed ancient, it’s unlikely that the apostles directly composed the creed. Instead, the creed most likely developed over the early centuries of the church as a baptismal profession of faith.

Here is the text of the Apostles’ Creed:

I believe in God, the Father almighty,

creator of heaven and earth.

I believe 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 to the dead.
On the third day he rose again;
he ascended into heaven,
he is seated at the right hand of the Father,
and he will 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 the life everlasting. Amen.

The term “catholic” in the Apostles’ Creed does not refer specifically to the Roman Catholic Church. In this context, “catholic” is used in its original sense, meaning “universal” or “whole.” So, “the holy catholic Church” signifies the universal body of believers.

The Apostles’ Creed, with its simple and direct statements, has served as a basic summary of Christian doctrine for nearly two millennia. It focuses on the foundational tenets of Christianity, such as the Trinity, the life and work of Jesus Christ, and the hope of resurrection and everlasting life.

Prayers

Prayer To The Sacred Heart Of Jesus

The Prayer to the Sacred Heart of Jesus is a well-known Catholic devotion, focusing on the boundless love and compassion of the heart of Christ. Over time, various prayers have been composed in honor of the Sacred Heart.

Here is one of the commonly recited prayers:

O most holy Heart of Jesus, fountain of every blessing,
I adore You, I love You, and with a lively sorrow for my sins,
I offer You this poor heart of mine.
Make me humble, patient, pure, and wholly obedient to Your will.
Grant, good Jesus, that I may live in You and for You.

Protect me in the midst of danger; comfort me in my afflictions;
give me health of body, assistance in my temporal needs,
Your blessing on all that I do, and the grace of a holy death.
Amen.

There are numerous other prayers and acts of consecration to the Sacred Heart, and the devotion has been particularly associated with the apparitions of Jesus to Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque in the 17th century. The essence of the devotion is to focus on the immense love Jesus has for humanity and to respond with love, gratitude, and reparation.

Prayers

Stations Of The Cross

The Stations of the Cross, also known as the Way of the Cross, Via Crucis, and Via Dolorosa, represent the journey of Jesus Christ on his way to the crucifixion. They have been a Christian tradition since the early days of the church, allowing believers to make a spiritual pilgrimage through contemplation of the Passion of Christ. There are traditionally 14 stations, each representing a specific event from Jesus’ final day.

Here are the 14 traditional stations:

Jesus is condemned to death.
Jesus takes up His cross.
Jesus falls the first time under the weight of the cross.
Jesus meets His Blessed Mother, Mary.
Simon of Cyrene is forced to help Jesus carry the cross.
Veronica wipes the face of Jesus.
Jesus falls a second time.
Jesus meets the women of Jerusalem.
Jesus falls a third time.
Jesus is stripped of His garments.
Jesus is nailed to the cross.
Jesus dies on the cross.
The body of Jesus is taken down from the cross and placed in the arms of His Blessed Mother.
Jesus is laid in the tomb.

In recent years, a 15th station, representing the Resurrection of Jesus, has sometimes been added, but it is not traditionally part of the Stations of the Cross.

Many churches have images or statues for each of these stations, and during the season of Lent (and especially on Good Friday), it’s a common devotional practice for believers to meditate on each station, reflecting on the sufferings and sacrifice of Jesus for humanity’s salvation.

Prayers

The Prayer of Jabez

The Prayer of Jabez is found in the Old Testament of the Bible, specifically in 1 Chronicles 4:10. It’s a short prayer by a man named Jabez, who calls on God to bless him and enlarge his territory.

Here’s the prayer:

“Oh, that You would bless me indeed and enlarge my territory, that Your hand would be with me, and that You would keep me from evil, that I may not cause pain!”

This prayer became particularly popular in mainstream culture following the publication of the book “The Prayer of Jabez: Breaking Through to the Blessed Life” by Dr. Bruce Wilkinson in 2000. In the book, Wilkinson elaborates on the prayer and suggests that reciting it regularly can lead to a more blessed and prosperous life. The book and its message sparked both admiration and criticism, but it undeniably brought attention to this once-obscure biblical prayer.