Catholic tradition dedicates Thursday to the Holy Eucharist, because it was on a Thursday, at the Last Supper, that Jesus gave us his Body and Blood. A Thursday morning prayer is a chance to thank him for this gift and, if you cannot go to Mass, to receive him in spiritual communion. Here is a Thursday morning prayer, a short version, a verse for the morning and Thursday’s traditional devotion.
A Thursday morning prayer
Written for this page:
Lord Jesus, on the night before you died you gave us yourself in the Eucharist.
Thank you for staying with us in every tabernacle in the world.
This morning I adore you and I offer you my day.
Since I cannot always receive you, come at least spiritually into my heart:
feed me with your love, make me grateful, and teach me to give myself to others as you gave yourself to us.
Bless the priests who celebrate Mass today, and draw back to you those who have stopped coming. Amen.
A short Thursday morning prayer
For mornings when there is no time:
Lord Jesus, true bread of life, I adore you; come into my heart and stay with me today. Amen.
A verse for Thursday morning
John 6:35, Douay-Rheims Bible:
And Jesus said to them: I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall not hunger: and he that believeth in me shall never thirst.
Jesus spoke these words the day after he multiplied the loaves: the bread he gives is himself.
Thursday’s devotion: the Holy Eucharist
Thursday is dedicated to the Holy Eucharist and to the priesthood, both born at the Last Supper.
- Pray the Anima Christi (“Soul of Christ, sanctify me”).
- If you cannot go to Mass, make a spiritual communion.
- Stop for a few minutes before the tabernacle in a church on your way to work or school.
A five-minute Thursday morning routine
- Wake up with God: before reaching for your phone, make the Sign of the Cross and say “Good morning, Lord.”
- Offer the day: pray the Morning Offering or the Thursday prayer above.
- Read the verse for Thursday slowly, twice, and keep one phrase for the day.
- Pray one decade of the Rosary with the first of the Luminous Mysteries.
- Name your intention: on Thursdays many Catholics pray especially for priests, vocations to the priesthood, and those who have stopped going to Mass.
Five minutes is enough; what matters is beginning the day with God every day.
The Rosary on Thursday
On Thursdays the Rosary is prayed with the Luminous Mysteries: see the Rosary for Thursday.
A morning prayer for every day of the week
Monday · Tuesday · Wednesday · Friday · Saturday · Sunday
Frequently asked questions
Why is Thursday dedicated to the Eucharist?
Because Jesus instituted the Eucharist and the priesthood on Holy Thursday, at the Last Supper. Many parishes hold Eucharistic adoration on Thursdays.
What is a spiritual communion?
An act of desire to receive Jesus when you cannot receive him sacramentally. You can make it with a short prayer at any time of day.
More daily prayers
- In French: Prière du jeudi
- In Italian: Preghiera del giovedì
- In Portuguese: Oração de quinta-feira
- In Spanish: Oración del día jueves
- Catholic morning prayers
- Catholic prayer of the day
- Morning Offering
- Catholic night prayers
- Morning Offering
Sources
- John 6:35: Douay-Rheims Bible, Challoner revision, public domain (drbo.org).
- Weekly devotions: traditional Catholic custom found in many prayer books.
- Prayers written for biddingprayers.com by the seminarian Giuseppe.