FAQ… How do I extemporize a prayer?
Have you ever been asked to give the blessing at a meal (like when Fr. Dominic came to Renew a few weeks ago)? Or been asked to lead a prayer among your more evangelical friends? Fear not! There is no need to panic or to fall back on those 2 or 3 prayers you memorized as a child. With this handy guide you can whip up a prayer for any occasion. Just remember this mantra: You. Who. Do. Through.
You: Address God. Examples:
Dear Lord.
O loving and merciful God.
Our Father.
Creator God, Source of All Being, Eternal Word, and Holy Spirit.
Jesus.
Who: Something relevant about God. Use one or more. Examples:
You give us every good gift.
We thank you for the food that you have placed before us.
You have gathered us here today to study your word.
You heal the sick, give sight to the blind, lift up the down-trodden, and relieve the burdened.
We stand amazed before all the wonders of creation which have flowed from your goodness and your creative hand.
Do: Petitions. Use one or more. Examples:
Bless the food we have before us.
May your Holy Spirit fill our hearts and guide our thoughts and our actions today.
Be with our brothers and sisters in the Philippines who are suffering from the effects of Typhoon Haiyan.
Teach us to recognize you in one another, and most especially, in the least among us.
Through: Wrap it up. Examples:
Through Christ Our Lord, Amen.
We pray this in your holy name, Amen.
We pray this in the name of Jesus, our brother and our Savior, Amen.
Your prayer can be as long or as short as you like. Don’t be afraid to use forceful language—“Give us this day our daily bread,” not “If you think it might be okay, it would be nice if you could make sure we have something to eat today, but really we’re not too picky.” Go on as long as you need to according to the circumstance of the prayer—Thanksgiving, for example, calls for more than “God, thank you for this food. May we enjoy it. Amen”—but don’t go on forever. Jesus had stern words for people who blathered on in prayer.
This format is called the Collect format, and is used for many of the prayers at mass. Examples:
Almighty ever-living God, whose will is to restore all things in your beloved Son, the King of the Universe,
Grant, we pray, that the whole creation, set free from slavery, may render your majesty service and ceaselessly proclaim your praise.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, fore ever and ever. Amen.
(Opening Prayer, Feast of Christ the King)
In this celebration, O Lord our God, you have shown us the depths of your love for all your children.
Help us, we pray, to reach out in love to all your people, so that we may share with them the good things of time and eternity.
Through Christ our Lord. Amen
(Prayer after Communion for Thanksgiving Day)
___________________
Karen Soos
Associate Chaplain and Catholic Campus Minister
Davidson College
Campus Box 7196
Davidson NC 28035
704. 894. 2423
Associate Chaplain and Catholic Campus Minister
Davidson College
Campus Box 7196
Davidson NC 28035
704. 894. 2423
