For many of us, family is at the heart of our daily prayers. We bring God the names and needs of our spouses, children, grandchildren, and other family members.
We offer prayers for protection in times of uncertainty, for healing in times of illness, for strength during challenges, and for the return of loved ones who have strayed from the faith. We also pray for the souls of loved ones who’ve preceded us in eternity.
Sometimes, however, it can be difficult to know what to pray or how to put our concerns into words. That’s where the saints can help by interceding with us before God. The following Catholic prayers, written by saints or addressed to them, can help you entrust your loved ones to His care.
There is no better model for our families than the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph. This makes them the perfect intercessors for any family-related prayer intentions.
Jesus, Son of God and Son of Mary, bless our family. Graciously inspire in us the unity, peace, and mutual love that you found in your own family in the little town of Nazareth.
Mary, Mother of Jesus and Our Mother, nourish our family with your faith and your love. Keep us close to your Son, Jesus, in all our sorrows and joys.
Joseph, Foster-father to Jesus, guardian and spouse of Mary, keep our family safe from harm. Help us in all times of discouragement or anxiety.
Holy Family of Nazareth, make our family one with you. Help us to be instruments of peace. Grant that love, strengthened by grace, may prove mightier than all the weaknesses and trials through which our families sometimes pass. May we always have God at the center of our hearts and homes until we are all one family, happy and at peace in our true home with you. Amen.
Heavenly Father,
you have given us the model of life
in the Holy Family of Nazareth.
Help us, O Loving Father,
to make our family another Nazareth
where love, peace and joy reign.
May it be deeply contemplative,
intensely eucharistic,
revived with joy.
Help us to stay together in joy
and sorrow in family prayer.
Teach us to see Jesus in the members of our families,
especially in their distressing disguise.
May the eucharistic heart of Jesus
make our hearts humble like his
and help us to carry out our family duties
in a holy way.
May we love one another
as God loves each one of us,
more and more each day,
and forgive each other’s faults
as you forgive our sins.
Help us, O Loving Father,
to take whatever you give
and give whatever you take with a big smile.
Immaculate Heart of Mary,
cause of our joy, pray for us.
St. Joseph, pray for us.
Holy Guardian Angels,
be always with us,
guide and protect us.
Amen.
Prayer for the Family by St. Teresa of Calcutta (Mother Teresa)
Lord God, from You every family in Heaven and on earth takes its name.
Father, You are love and life. Through Your Son, Jesus Christ, born of woman, and through the Holy Spirit, the fountain of divine charity, grant that every family on earth may become for each successive generation a true shrine of life and love.
Grant that Your grace may guide the thoughts and actions of husbands and wives for the good of their families and of all the families in the world.
Grant that the young may find in the family solid support for their human dignity and for their growth in truth and love.
Grant that love, strengthened by the grace of the sacrament of marriage, may prove mightier than all the weaknesses and trials through which our families sometimes pass.
Through the intercession of the Holy Family of Nazareth, grant that the Church may fruitfully carry out her worldwide mission in the family and through the family.
We ask this of You, Who is life, truth and love with the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
The St. Michael Prayer was composed in the 1880s by Pope Leo XIII, and it’s a powerful prayer for protection to offer for yourself and your family.
St. Michael the Archangel,
defend us in battle.
Be our defense against the wickedness and snares of the Devil.
May God rebuke him, we humbly pray,
and do thou, O Prince of the heavenly hosts,
by the power of God,
thrust into hell Satan,
and all the evil spirits,
who prowl about the world
seeking the ruin of souls.
Amen.
A prayer doesn’t need to be specific to the family to be effective. Offer intentions for your family with these beloved prayers of the Church:
If you’d like to pray with a guide, you can stream any of these prayers on our website or YouTube channel.
Whether you are offering a prayer for healing, protection, strength, or a return to the faith, remember that our Heavenly Father hears every prayer. In good times and difficult times, may these prayers help you place your family in His loving care and have greater peace and trust in God.
To make the Rosary part of your prayer life, pray along with CatholicTV Monday through Saturday at 10am ET.
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