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Morning Prayers
Start your day with God
Each morning, when the light returns and we open our eyes to a new day, the Church invites us to begin with prayer. Morning prayer is one of the most ancient practices of Christian life. It is the moment when we turn our first thoughts toward God and give Him the first fruits of our attention.
From the earliest centuries, Christians understood that prayer orders the heart. Saint Basil once wrote that we should “give thanks to God as soon as we are awake, before all else.” The rhythm of morning prayer shapes how we see the hours ahead. It reminds us that life is a gift and that every task, large or small, can become an act of love.
The psalmist says, “O Lord, in the morning you hear my voice; in the morning I plead my case to you, and watch” (Psalm 5:3). The first prayer of the day is not meant to be complicated. It is a turning of the soul toward the One who created the dawn. Even a brief moment of silence before the Lord has power to steady the heart.
Many Catholics begin the day with the Sign of the Cross and the Morning Offering:
O Jesus, through the Immaculate Heart of Mary,
I offer You my prayers, works, joys, and sufferings of this day
for all the intentions of Your Sacred Heart,
in union with the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass throughout the world,
for the salvation of souls, the reparation of sins,
and the reunion of all Christians.
I offer them for the intentions of our Holy Father, the Pope,
and for all that You desire, my Lord. Amen.
This prayer expresses the heart of Catholic spirituality. It unites our daily life to the Eucharist being celebrated around the world. It reminds us that even ordinary work or quiet suffering can be offered as prayer. In that offering, we live the words of Saint Paul: “Whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus” (Colossians 3:17).
Another beautiful practice is to pray the Canticle of Zechariah (Luke 1:68–79), also known as the Benedictus. It is the prayer of John the Baptist’s father, spoken at the dawn of salvation history:
Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel;
He has come to His people and set them free.
He has raised up for us a mighty savior,
born of the house of His servant David.
The Benedictus praises God for His faithfulness. It reminds us that the light of Christ rises each morning to scatter the darkness of fear and sin. Praying it at sunrise places us in the story of salvation that continues to unfold each day.
Some also begin with the Prayer to the Holy Spirit, asking for guidance in every word and action:
Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful,
and kindle in them the fire of your love.
Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created,
and You shall renew the face of the earth.
This prayer, short and simple, invites the Spirit to dwell within us as we go about the day’s work. It prepares us to meet each person with patience and kindness.
In monasteries and convents, the Church’s official morning prayer is called Lauds, part of the Liturgy of the Hours. It begins with the words, “Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will proclaim your praise.” Even if we cannot pray the full Office, this line can become a daily habit. It acknowledges that our speech, our thoughts, and our choices belong to God.
Morning prayer is not about reciting many words. It is about beginning the day in relationship with the Lord. Whether you pray a traditional formula, read a psalm, or simply speak from your heart, what matters is faithfulness. Each morning offers a new chance to consecrate the day to God’s glory.
Pope Francis often reminds the faithful to begin each day with gratitude. In one of his homilies he said, “The first step toward holiness is to live each day by saying ‘Thank you, Lord.’” Gratitude turns duty into joy. It helps us see grace in the ordinary.
As the hours of the day unfold, morning prayer remains an anchor. It carries us through decisions, conversations, and work. When we begin with prayer, our hearts remember throughout the day that we walk with Christ.
The Church’s tradition offers many prayers, yet the most powerful words are sometimes the simplest:
Good morning, Lord. I thank You for this new day.
Be with me in all I do. Bless my family, my work, and my thoughts.
May everything I say and do give glory to Your name. Amen.
When we rise each day and lift our hearts to God, we join millions of believers who do the same. The sun rises over monasteries, cities, and villages, and the Church prays with one voice. Morning prayer joins heaven and earth in praise. It begins the day with faith, and faith makes every moment holy.
Keeping You In Prayer
We will send a printable card to the recipient’s email with instructions how to print the card at home. Each card has the image to the left with a personal message from you (optional below). Our electronic enrollment cards offer comfort, prayer, and hope through the gift of a spiritual enrollment into our mission society which includes remembering your intentions in community Masses and prayers through our global partners and beneficiaries.
Deliver a prayerful message of hope to a loved one today.
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Send a meaningful Mass Card Enrollment directly to a loved one. By enrolling them, you unite their name with the prayers and community Masses offered by our partner religious organizations around the world. This special gift supports Catholic mission work around the world. If you do not know your loved one’s email we suggest you send the card to yourself and deliver it by mail or in person.
Your gift supports the Catholic Church’s international ministries and will be used to sustain clergy and provide vital aid such as: food, clean water, health care, and education for those most in need. Our mission society partners with communities like the Franciscans, Lasallians, Jesuits, and other Catholic organizations world-wide. We don’t ask you for a specific donation; we ask only that you give the most generous amount in your heart today. Every offering is a blessing to those in need who seek Christ’s mercy. May God bless you for supporting our global missions.
