Passionists Pray
Children’s Prayers
Traditional Prayers
The Our Father
OUR FATHER,
We can’t see God with our eyes. God’s far beyond us, in heaven. But God still hears us and is always with us. And so we pray:
WHO ART IN HEAVEN, HALLOWED BE THY NAME.
God’s name is holy, because God made all things. God made us and loves us. And so we pray:
hallowed be thy name.
God wants to bring good things to the whole world. We can help by doing good things every day. And so we pray:
THY KINGDOM COME. THY WILL BE DONE. ON EARTH AS IT IS IN HEAVEN.
God, like a kind father, knows we need food to be strong, clothes to be beautiful and warm, and so much more. And so we pray:
GIVE US THIS DAY OUR DAILY BREAD
When we do something wrong, God forgives us. But then we must forgive those who do something wrong to us. And so we pray:
FORGIVE US OUR TRESPASSES AS WE FORGIVE THOSE WHO TRESPASS AGAINST US.
Wherever we go, God takes our hand to guide us. Even in danger, God helps us to know what to do and where to go. And so we pray:
LEAD US NOT INTO TEMPTATION BUT DELIVER US FROM EVIL.
AMEN.
The Hail Mary
HAIL MARY,
The angel Gabriel went to Mary in Nazareth, in Galilee, and said to Mary God loved her. Mary was:
FULL OF GRACE,
The angel Gabriel told Mary that God, in heaven so far away, had come to be with her. She was to be the mother of Jesus. The angel said:
THE LORD IS WITH YOU
After the angel left her, Mary went to visit her cousin Elizabeth. Her cousin knew how good God was to Mary. Elizabeth said:
BLESSED ARE YOU AMONG WOMEN
Mary’s cousin Elizabeth knew that Mary was going to be the Mother of Jesus Christ. Elizabeth said:
AND BLESSED IS THE FRUIT OF YOUR WOMB, JESUS
We pray to Mary because she is close to God, and because she is close to her Son, Jesus Christ. And so we say:
HOLY MARY, MOTHER OF GOD, PRAY FOR US SINNERS
Like a good mother, Mary always hears us when we call to her. She hears us now, at this very moment, and when we come to the last moment of our life. And so we pray:
NOW AND AT THE HOUR OF OUR DEATH.
AMEN.
Glory Be
GLORY TO THE FATHER, AND TO THE SON, AND TO THE HOLY SPIRIT, AS IT WAS IN THE BEGINNING, IS NOW AND WILL BE FOREVER.
“Hooray for God, who made things good from the beginning, when everything was new.” “Hooray for God, who is good right now and holds us in his hands.” God is always good. Every day. And we say:
AMEN
The Sign Of The Cross
IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER
I say: Come bless me, God, bless me, bless me in every way.
Bless what I see, bless what I hear, and bless what I think and say. Then I touch my heart with my hand, and say:
AND OF THE SON
Bless me, Jesus, bless my heart that I may love everyone. I touch my shoulders left and right,
AND OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.
AMEN.
I say: Thank you, God for giving me this day. Your hand is in mine as I bless myself. The Cross of Jesus blesses me too, the Cross of Jesus’ love.
The Apostles’ Creed
Everything I see – the earth, the sky, the sea -are gifts of God to me.
I BELIEVE IN JESUS CHRIST, HIS ONLY SON, OUR LORD.
And I believe God’s greatest gift is Jesus Christ, God’s only son, who came to earth to be my friend and brother.
HE WAS CONCEIVED BY THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT AND WAS BORN OF THE VIRGIN MARY.
Jesus was born in Bethlehem, long, long ago; he was born of the Holy Spirit, and Mary was his mother, long, long ago.
HE SUFFERED UNDER PONTIUS PILATE, WAS CRUCIFIED, DIED, AND WAS BURIED.
Jesus, so good, was put to death, crucified by Pontius Pilate, a cruel Roman judge, and all seemed lost when he was buried in a tomb, but it wasn’t.
HE DESCENDED TO THE DEAD. ON THE THIRD DAY HE ROSE AGAIN.
I believe God raised Jesus from the dead.
On Easter Sunday, his friends saw him alive,
and all his friends rejoiced and sang — Alleluia!
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.
Yes, the Holy Spirit gives life to me, too, and not only to me, but to all the friends of Jesus, who are his church, and all creation. The Holy Spirit forgives our sins, and gives us hope of life forever. Amen.
Everyday Prayers
Going To School
One not ruled by king or preacher, but someone with the name of teacher.
My mommy says that I’ll have fun; I’ll sing and skip and play and run.
But I am scared ’cause I don’t know just what to do or where to go.
So please Lord Jesus hug me tight and keep me in your loving sight.
For with you by my side today, I know that I will be okay.
— Margaret Kennedy
Bless The Food
Keep us healthy, strong and able.
— Margaret Kennedy
Going To Sleep
I love you, God, with all my might. Keep me safe all through the night.
— Margaret Kennedy
WATCH O LORD
Watch O Lord, with those who wake, or watch or weep tonight,
and give your angels charge over those who sleep.
Tend your sick ones, O Lord Jesus Christ;
rest your weary ones; bless your dying ones;
soothe your suffering ones; pity your afflicted ones;
shield your joyous ones; and all for your love’s sake.
Amen.
Advent Prayers
First Week
come and dwell with us.
Desire of all nations;
Gift to every generation,
Come, make your home with us.
All nations, everybody, is waiting for you,
Indians and Esquimos are waiting for you,
People in New York are waiting for you.
People in China are waiting for you.
Jesus, come, make your home with us.
Third Week
Open the doors of heaven for us; come, deliver us from evil.
King David was a mighty king who built a city long ago.
He left a key that Jesus found in the manger hay.
Key of David, Jesus Christ, open heaven’s doors for us.
Second Week
come and save your people.
Joy of every heart, Strength of those who are poor,
come quickly to help us.
Prince of Peace, teach the lion and the little lamb,
teach the cat and the mouse,
the hawk and the tiny bird, teach everyone who doesn’t get along
to live in peace.
Fourth Week
come and teach us your way;
Word of life, Word made flesh, come
and tell us your truth.
Jesus, come and teach me, how to sing
and play,
how to learn new words; tell me what to
say. Teach me how to be a child, for you know the way.
Christmas Prayers
Christmas Prayers
How dark outside but a star’s in the sky;
Mary and Joseph are passing by.
So let’s light a candle and welcome them
as they go on their way to Bethlehem.
We’ll light a candle in church each day,
We’ll light one candle each week and pray.
We’ll light a candle at home each day,
We’ll light a candle each week and pray.
O GOD
O God,
as light comes from this candle,
may the blessing of Jesus Christ come to us,
warming our hearts
and brightening our way.
May Christ our Savior bring life
into the darkness of this world,
and to us and all on Christmas Day.
St. Nicholas, for Younger Children
Preparing The Home For Christmas
With the brightest things of red and green.
And we’ll wait for Jesus until he comes,
We’ll wait until he comes.
First we’ll put up a tree all shiny and bright,
with lights and balls to shine through the night.
Then build him a house with a little bed,
a place high enough not to bump his head.
Bring sheep and shepherds to see him new-born,
and a cow and a donkey to keep him warm.
O Good Lord Jesus, asleep in the hay,
Bless all little children each night and each day.
St. Nicholas, for Older Children
Lenten Prayers
Heart Prayers For Lent
We become aware of God’s presence within us. One spiritual writer comments that we can think of our own heart as God’s “family room within us.” What a beautiful image of a place where we can just relax with God!
The following prayer starters, based on the weekly Sunday Scripture readings during Lent, are intended to help you guide a child – or yourself- in some heart prayer. The wording can be adapted for children as young as three years of age.
A good time for heart prayer is often the “quiet time” before your child goes to sleep. You might want to read the Scripture first, so that you can tell the Jesus story in your own words. Then, look at the Scripture comment and the prayer starters, close your eyes, invite God into your heart, and be at home – you, your child and God- for a few minutes!
– by Lucille Perrotta Castro
2nd Sunday of Lent
Jesus’ friends were really amazed when they saw surprising events.
Have you ever been amazed. Was there something that took your breath away”?
Tell or show God the parts that amazed you.
When you’re ready, picture Jesus with you in that time or place, enjoying that amazing time. (Give yourself as much time as you need for this.)
Listen as Jesus tells you that He wants to amaze you too.
End your together time with Jesus by telling or showing Jesus how you feel about amazing things now!
4th Sunday of Lent
Jesus heals a man who was blind.
Can you imagine what it would be like if you could not see?
Close your eyes really tight, and imagine what it would be like if you could not see anything. Tell Jesus how you feel about that. Maybe you can even show or tell Jesus some of the things you would miss, things you like seeing now.
Just let Jesus know how happy you are that you can see.
If you want to be with God some more, you might think about some people you have trouble seeing in a good way, maybe someone you’ve been angry with, or someone who gives you a hard time. Let Jesus know what’s been hard about being friends with this person.
Then ask Jesus to help you to see better. Just let Jesus touch your “heart” eyes. Stay there with Jesus, and enjoy being with Him.
1st Sunday of Lent
The devil tried to tempt Jesus to do something wrong; but even though Jesus was tired and hungry, he did what was right.
Sometimes it’s hard to do what is right and good, isn’t it?
Tell God, or show God in your heart, one time when it was hard for you to do what was right and good. Take your time telling or showing this to God.
Then, tell or show God what made this hard for you. (God already knows this, but it can help you if you show this part of your heart to God.)
Ask Jesus to help you to remember that he’s always with you; and then, when you are ready, picture Jesus with you in that hard time. Notice what Jesus is doing … is Jesus helping you?
Tell Jesus how you felt knowing that He was there with you.
3rd Sunday of Lent
Jesus tells a woman with whom he is speaking that she should ask for living water.
Did you ever feel tired, or worn out, or really bored, like a plant that is all dried up?
Can you picture a dried up plant; and then can you see someone pouring water on the plant ? Watch carefully as the plant slowly comes back to life.
Could you picture yourself like that dried up plant? Maybe you can tell or show Jesus what it’s like when you feel that way.
Now, can you picture Jesus being with you and pouring water on your inner heart? What happens when Jesus does that? (Take your time picturing what happens in your inner heart when Jesus does this.)
Tell or show Jesus what it’s like for you when He is with you and pours water on your heart.
5th Sunday of Lent
Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead
Do you like seeing flowers begin to bloom? Can you picture a flower growing after a cold winter, pushing through the dark, cold, hard earth and then breaking through the topsoil and being alive for you to see?
Tell Jesus too how it might feel to be alive, feeling the sun shine on you, after a long, cold winter. Are there some times when you felt like your heart is in a cold place because of something that happened in your life? Take the time to tell Jesus about one of these times.
Now see Jesus taking you by the hand and helping you in that hard time. Stay with him and let him know what it is like to know he is with you.
Stations Of The Cross
Holy Week
Holy Week is a good time to acquaint children with the death and resurrection of Jesus. Entering Jerusalem, Jesus rides on a donkey, children cheering him on. Children are meant to be there.
The gospel stories about Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead and giving the blind man sight are reminders of his power to bring life out of death.
Remember to keep the stories of his death and resurrection together, so as children see his suffering they also see him triumphing over death.
Palm Sunday
the week he was to die
riding on a donkey,
riding strong and high.
Children ran to meet him
palms in hand they sing:
Hosanna, Son of David,
Hosanna, to our King.
Tuesday
And believing, the man could see. Thank you, God of Light, for giving light to me.
Jesus taught in the temple that week, the week he was to die. You’d think he’d be liked for all that he did. But some said, “No!”
“He’s trouble!” they cried. So they wanted him to die.
Holy Thursday
Jesus ate with his friends.
Now, you should know, that night was the night God freed his people from Pharaoh,
long ago.
Jesus gave them Bread and Wine.
He said: “Here is my Body,Here is my Blood,
when you do this it will make you free.
When you do this, Remember me.”
Then, they went into a garden.
After the meal and Jesus knelt and prayed,
“Father, my Father, help me. Help me, I’m afraid.”
Then Judas came, and soldiers too, who put him in chains, and took him alone to Pontius Pilate who sat on a throne.
“He’s dangerous!”
“He must die!” they cried.
And Pilate, for no reason, replied: “He must be crucified!”
Then they whipped him, and pushed him to a place called Calvary. He fell sometimes, carrying the cross, cut from a heavy tree.
Easter
the week he was to die
riding on a donkey
riding strong and high.
ON EASTER SUNDAY
When the week was done
Jesus rose from the dead.
Praise God, Alleluia!
risen is God’s only Son.
Thank you God of light
for giving us light to see.
Thank you God of life
for giving Jesus to me.
Monday
Wednesday
(Judas was his name)
went to the leaders and said:
“I know where he goes,
I know where he stays.
he’s yours, if you want him.”
“We want him,”
they said.
Good Friday
Beneath his cross, his mother stood and cried for what they had done. “Oh, if I could hold him,” she said, “Hold my only Son!”
“Father, take me,” Jesus said, “Take me in your hands.” And God reached down and took him, and held his only Son. “I am God who raises up, your life has just begun. I am God of the living, no grave can hold my Son.”
The Easter Tree
Seeds from the tree of life, our story goes, were planted from age to age, until the time of Jesus, when a tree produced from one of its seeds provided wood for his cross. Once again, God offers new life through the cross of Jesus, his Son, and invites the human family to return to Paradise.
The story may help a child understand that, in spite of appearances, the cross of Jesus brings life not death.
This might be a good time to plant a tree somewhere, a tree of life to bring healing to our environment.
Part One
Part Three
Part Five
Part Two
But then one day a serpent came and the beautiful garden grew cold. The tiny birds flew far away and songs were no longer told. The tree was cased in fiercesome ice, and cried to God on high: “O God, let me shelter your creatures again, let them sing in the evening sky.”
Part Four
Part Six
Jesus Loves You
Jesus Loves You
Jesus lived in a family of three:
Mary, Joseph, and he was their son.
But no one knew that he was the one…
The one who would go through Galilee,
and touch a blind man who never could see.
His eyes popped open and blinked at the light,
and the mockingbird danced to see such a sight.
And did you know when a little girl died,
that Jesus came right up to her side?
“Get up, get up, little girl,”he said.
“Get up and eat some jelly and bread.”
Children came from far and near,
to climb on his lap and whisper in his ear.
“We know who you are, yes, you’re the one;
We know who you are, You’re God’s good son.”
O Jesus, Jesus, watch over me,
and take good care of my family.
You know who they are,
but I’ll name them all,
some are big,
and some are small.
