To write a prayer, you can follow the same simple pattern the Church has used for her prayers for more than fifteen centuries: speak to God by name, remember something he has done, ask for what you need, say why you need it, and close through Jesus Christ; five short parts that fit in two or three sentences. You do not need beautiful words: God looks at the heart (1 Kings 16:7). But a clear structure helps when you write a prayer for a meeting, a class, a meal, a card, a funeral, a wedding or the prayers of the faithful at Mass. Below are the five parts with examples from the Church’s own prayers, a fill-in template, the ACTS method, sample prayers for many occasions, and tips.
The five parts of a prayer
The short prayers of the Mass, called collects, are a perfect model. Take the collect for St. Thomas Aquinas in a 1916 missal:
O God, who didst enlighten thy Church by the marvellous learning of thy blessed Confessor Thomas, and enrich it by his holy labor, grant us we beseech thee, understanding to master what he taught and success in imitating what he did. Through Jesus Christ, thy Son our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God world without end. Amen.
It has five parts:
| Part | What it does | In the example |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Address | Names God | “O God” |
| 2. Remembrance | Recalls something God has done | “who didst enlighten thy Church by the marvellous learning of thy blessed Confessor Thomas” |
| 3. Petition | Asks for something | “grant us, we beseech thee, understanding” |
| 4. Purpose | Says why | “to master what he taught and success in imitating what he did” |
| 5. Conclusion | Closes through Christ | “Through Jesus Christ, thy Son our Lord…” |
A fill-in prayer template
Copy this and fill in the blanks:
(1) Address: Loving Father / Lord Jesus / Holy Spirit / Almighty God,
(2) Remembrance: you (something God has done: you created us, you healed the sick, you gave us this day, you brought us together),
(3) Petition: please (what you ask: bless, heal, guide, forgive, protect) (whom: us, this family, our team, N.),
(4) Purpose: so that (the good you hope for: we may serve you, they may find peace, this work may give you glory).
(5) Conclusion: We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Example, for a meeting: “Almighty God, you give every good gift and gather us in your name. Guide our words and decisions today, so that our work may serve others and give you glory. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.”
The ACTS method
For a longer personal prayer or a prayer journal, many people use four letters:
- A, Adoration: praise God for who he is. “Lord, you are good and faithful.”
- C, Contrition: tell him you are sorry for your sins.
- T, Thanksgiving: thank him for specific gifts of this day.
- S, Supplication: ask for what you and others need.
St. Paul gives the same order in brief (Philippians 4:6–7, Douay-Rheims):
Be nothing solicitous; but in every thing, by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your petitions be made known to God.
And the peace of God, which surpasseth all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
Sample prayers you can adapt
Written for this page.
Opening prayer for a class or meeting
Come, Holy Spirit, fill our minds with your light.
Help us listen to one another, work honestly, and finish what we begin,
so that all we do today may give you glory. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Prayer for a sick friend
Lord Jesus, you touched the sick and made them well.
Look with love on (name); ease (his/her) pain, give strength to those who care for (him/her),
and, if it is your will, restore (him/her) to health. Amen.
Prayer of thanksgiving
Father, thank you for (name the gifts: this year, this team, this family, this answered prayer).
Help us never to take your gifts for granted, and to share them with others. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Writing prayers of the faithful
Intentions for the prayers of the faithful at Mass follow a fixed order: for the Church, for the world and those who govern, for people in need, and for the local community and the dead. Each one is short and ends with an invitation such as “let us pray to the Lord,” and the people answer “Lord, hear our prayer.” See bidding prayers examples and prayers of the faithful.
Tips for writing a prayer
- Be simple and specific. Jesus warned against “much speaking” (Matthew 6:7); a few sincere words are enough.
- Pray from Scripture. Borrow a line from a psalm; the Church has prayed the Psalms for three thousand years.
- Speak to God, not about him. Use “you,” not “he.”
- Read it aloud before you pray it in public, and keep it under one minute.
- Let the Holy Spirit help when you have no words (Romans 8:26).
Frequently asked questions
How do you start a prayer?
Address God by name: “Heavenly Father,” “Lord Jesus” or “Come, Holy Spirit.” See how to start a prayer.
How do you end a prayer?
Catholics usually end “through Christ our Lord. Amen,” or “in Jesus’ name. Amen.” “Amen” means “so be it.”
How long should a written prayer be?
For a public occasion, two to five sentences. A personal prayer can be as long as you like.
More about prayer
- How to start a prayer
- How to pray as a Catholic
- Catholic prayer journal
- Prayers in the Bible
- Bidding prayers examples
- Pray without ceasing
Texts and sources
- Collect of St. Thomas Aquinas: The Mass Every Day of the Year (1916), public domain (archive.org).
- Philippians 4:6–7 (Douay-Rheims).