How to Pray as a Catholic: Forms of Prayer and a Daily Routine

Catholics pray in many ways, but all Catholic prayer is a conversation with God the Father, through Jesus Christ, in the Holy Spirit, prayed together with the whole Church. The Catechism of the Catholic Church calls prayer “the raising of one’s mind and heart to God or the requesting of good things from God” (CCC 2559). Whether you are new to the faith, coming back, or simply want to pray better, this guide explains the five forms of Catholic prayer, the three ways of praying, the basic prayers every Catholic knows, and a simple daily routine you can start today.

Jesus teaches us to pray

When the disciples asked Jesus how to pray, he gave them the Our Father:

And it came to pass, that as he was in a certain place praying, when he ceased, one of his disciples said to him: Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.
And he said to them: When you pray, say: Father, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our sins, for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation.

He also taught them to pray simply and humbly, in secret, trusting the Father:

And when ye pray, you shall not be as the hypocrites, that love to stand and pray in the synagogues and corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men: Amen I say to you, they have received their reward.
But thou when thou shalt pray, enter into thy chamber, and having shut the door, pray to thy Father in secret: and thy Father who seeth in secret will repay thee.
And when you are praying, speak not much, as the heathens. For they think that in their much speaking they may be heard.
Be not you therefore like to them, for your Father knoweth what is needful for you, before you ask him.

The five forms of Catholic prayer

The Catechism describes five basic forms of prayer, which you can find throughout the Psalms, the Mass and the prayers of the saints:

Blessing and adoration. We bless God who has blessed us, and adore him as Creator and Lord, bowing before his greatness (CCC 2626–2628). Example: “Blessed be God.”
Petition. We ask God for what we need, above all for forgiveness and for his Kingdom, and then for everything else (CCC 2629–2633). Example: “Lord, help me in this trouble.”
Intercession. We pray for others, as Jesus intercedes for us, including for our enemies (CCC 2634–2636). Example: the prayers of the faithful at Mass.
Thanksgiving. We thank God for every gift; the Eucharist itself means “thanksgiving” (CCC 2637–2638). Example: grace before and after meals.
Praise. We praise God simply because he is God, for his own sake (CCC 2639–2643). Example: the Glory Be and the Gloria at Mass.

A balanced prayer life includes all five. Many people pray them in order each day: adore, ask forgiveness, give thanks, then ask for what they need.

Three ways to pray: vocal prayer, meditation and contemplation

The Catechism also describes three expressions of prayer (CCC 2700 and following):

Vocal prayer uses words, spoken aloud or silently: the Our Father, the Hail Mary, the Rosary, the psalms, the prayers of the Mass. The heart must be present to the words.
Meditation is thinking prayerfully about God’s word or the mysteries of faith, so that they touch our heart and change our life. Read a Gospel passage slowly, imagine the scene, ask what God is saying to you, and respond.
Contemplative prayer is a simple, loving gaze on God, being with him in silence. St. Teresa of Avila described it as friendship with God; see the St. Teresa of Avila prayer.

The basic Catholic prayers

Every Catholic learns these prayers by heart:

The Sign of the Cross, Our Father, Hail Mary and Glory Be.
The Apostles’ Creed and the Act of Contrition.
The Morning Offering, grace before meals and the Guardian Angel prayer.
The Rosary, the Angelus and the Memorare.

See the full collection of Catholic prayers.

A simple daily prayer routine

Start small and be faithful. A realistic routine for beginners:

On waking: make the Sign of the Cross and pray the Morning Offering, giving God your day.
At meals: pray grace before you eat.
At noon: pray the Angelus, or simply an Our Father and a Hail Mary.
Ten to fifteen minutes of personal prayer: read the day’s Gospel (see the Mass readings today), think about it, talk to Jesus about your life, and listen in silence.
During the day: short prayers like “Jesus, I trust in you.” See pray without ceasing.
At night: a short examination of conscience, an Act of Contrition and a prayer for others. See the Catholic night prayers.

When you are ready, add a decade or the whole Rosary, Eucharistic adoration, or the Liturgy of the Hours, the Church’s daily prayer.

The greatest prayer: the Mass

For Catholics, the Mass is the “source and summit” of the Christian life and the most perfect prayer, because in it we join Christ’s own offering to the Father. Sunday Mass is the foundation of every Catholic prayer life. See the order of the Mass.

Tips for praying well

Find a time and a place. The same time every day helps prayer become a habit.
Put your body into it. Kneel, sit or stand; make the Sign of the Cross; use a crucifix, an icon or a candle.
Expect distractions and dryness. When your mind wanders, gently come back. Faithfulness matters more than feelings.
Pray with others. Pray as a family, with a friend, or in a parish group.
Ask the saints and Mary to pray for you. See prayers to saints.

Frequently asked questions

How do Catholics pray?

With the Mass and the sacraments, with vocal prayers such as the Our Father, Hail Mary and Rosary, with meditation on Scripture, and with silent contemplation, offering God blessing, petition, intercession, thanksgiving and praise.

What are the five types of prayer in the Catholic Church?

Blessing and adoration, petition, intercession, thanksgiving, and praise.

Do Catholics have to use set prayers?

No. Catholics treasure the Church’s prayers, but they also pray in their own words. Both are good, and most Catholics use both every day.

How long should I pray each day?

Begin with whatever you can be faithful to, even ten minutes, and grow from there. Many saints recommend at least fifteen minutes of personal prayer daily.

More guides to prayer

Sources

Catechism of the Catholic Church 2559, 2626–2643, 2700–2719.
Scripture: Luke 11:1–4; Matthew 6:5–8, Douay-Rheims Bible (Challoner), public domain.