Sinners prayer in catholic life

[jjsmity]

I find it pretty appalling that you would say our prayer of repentance “doesn’t count” simply because we include in it a petition for the Body of Christ (including saints) to pray for us. In addition to our statements of repentance (the confiteor, Lord have Mercy and our Sacrament of Reconciliation) and statement of faith (the Creed which is a public profession of faith, not “theology”) we do ask the Lord to come to us in a way that simply dwarfs any personal prayer-- Catholic or protestant. One could spend years in personal prayer and never encounter the Lord as profoundly as when Catholics receive Him in the Eucharist. ** It is in the liturgy of the Eucharist is where we come ask Jesus to come be the Lord of our lives. **We believe we receive Him as He intended–His Real Presence as real food and as real drink (Jn 6:53-55). The priest says “This is the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. Happy are those who are called to his supper.” Then all respond (with humility) “Lord, I am not worthy to receive you, but only say the word and I shall be healed.” For Scriptural references that will help you understand the Catholic liturgy, you can click here

My understanding is that the sinner’s prayer is a prayer of repentance generally said during an initial conversion experience, like an “alter call”. Catholics don’t believe in a one time profession of faith and then after that we are “saved”. We recognize that we are sinners in need of repentance and forgiveness in Jesus at every Mass. We believe that we receive initial grace of salvation at our baptism, but then are continually sanctified by the Holy Spirit through faith throughout our lives. So a one time sinner’s prayer, doesn’t really work for us liturgically. That being said, I say something like a sinner’s prayer daily and I think a lot of posters here do the same.

No prayer can match the outpouring of love from Jesus to us and vice versa than when we are communion with Him in the Eucharistic meal. To receive Him is intensely “personal”. However, you’ve confirmed for me (by your remarks about our prayers basically not being personal enough) that protestants seem to have a “it’s all about me and Jesus” attitude. Catholics believe “it’s all about we and Jesus”. We don’t approach the table of God by ourselves. We are community, one body, and one Spirit, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all. Personal prayer is very important, I would never dream of denying that, but personal prayer is only part of how we encounter Jesus. There is a whole other experience of Jesus that protestants do not have.

I dont want to offend i am truly sorry. I simply did not see it in what you posted orginally.

question what is the " liturgy of the Eucharist"?.

what is “only say the word and I shall be healed”

great post and I was very happy to read it thank you. Also while we may emphasis personal we dont neglect being part of a body of believers.

 

[jjsmity]

Jesus comes into the heart of the believer in a spiritual way and that is certainly true, but Jesus’ presence in the Eucharist is so much more real.

The Eucharist is Jesus, and he comes not only into our heart but into our mouth, stomach and then throughout our body. We are incorporated into his Body through the Eucharist.

For a Catholic it isn’t just spiritual but physical.

-Tim-

thanks for clarifying that.

Prayers before Holy Communion: Act of Hope

Good Jesus, in you alone I place all my hope. You are my salvation and my strength, the Source of all good. Through your mercy, through your Passion and Death, I hope to obtain the pardon of my sins, the grace of final perseverance and a happy eternity.

sounds great, do you guys say this before very communion?.

As you know already, we don’t use a sinner’s prayer in the way that you do. Having said that though we do have similar prayers to the sinner’s prayer as the other posters have posted… another example would be from Luke 18 ‘God, be merciful to me a sinner’, and we have the ‘Anima Christi’ prayer which comes pretty close to what you’re asking for, I think.

interesting thank you.

Well, there’s always the Fatima prayer that some people like to add to the rosary:
O My Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of Hell and lead all souls to Heaven, especially those who are in most need of Thy mercy.

who decides if this is added? great prayer.

 

[Mintaka]

As you can tell, there’s not just one Catholic prayer like you’re looking for, but all sorts of prayers that are similar.

If you’re looking for a prayer of repentance, you want to look for search terms like “Act of Contrition”, “penitence”, “prayer before/after Confession”, etc.

If you’re looking for more of a prayer expressing faith, look for things like “Act of Faith”, “Act of Hope,” “Act of Love,” etc.

Basically, you’ll find that certain prayers in these categories are pretty popular, and you will find them all over Catholic books and websites. Sometimes there will be slightly different translations of the same prayers. Some versions are cut, and some have stuff added to them. You may also find very specialized prayers, like ones written for very particular circumstances. Some prayers come in poem form, or can be sung as hymns. Some prayers are just really short comments, like somebody crying out to Jesus for help - old books call these “ejaculations.” There are plenty of choices.

Feel free to browse around and find a prayer that fits you. That’s why there are so many.

 

[Bruised_Reed]

To me this would not count, because really you admit sin, that is good but than simply ask saints to pray for you. It is simply asking others to pray for you. But thanks and interesting.

when do you ask jesus to remain in your hearts?

question, you don’t receive jesus in your heart by a prayer? how do you do so? and the way you do so does it involve personal prayer at all?.

thanks, but this seems theology not so much personal.

You’re not familiar with Rich Mullins? The chorus of Creed put to music is

And I believe what I believe
Is what makes me what I am
I did not make it, no it is making me
It is the very truth of God
And not the invention of any man

The Creed is theology, but a belief that I embrace and that informs my actions and my will doesn’t get any more personal.

Protip: Catholics are more both/and rather than either/or.

 

[TimothyH]

The answer to the OP’s question about asking Jesus to come into our heart is the Act of Spiritual Communion.

My Jesus, I believe that You are present in the Most Holy Sacrament. I love You above all things, and I desire to receive You into my soul. Since I cannot at this moment receive You sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart. I embrace You as if You were already there and unite myself wholly to You. Never permit me to be separated from You. Amen.

-Tim-

 

[Prayer_Warrior]

I dont want to offend i am truly sorry. I simply did not see it in what you posted orginally.

question what is the " liturgy of the Eucharist"?.

what is “only say the word and I shall be healed”

great post and I was very happy to read it thank you. Also while we may emphasis personal we dont neglect being part of a body of believers.

Liturgy is our public worship- it is covenantal and sacramental. While some people only see the “rituals” the liturgy provides an ordered worship in communion with a billion other Catholics. Anyway, the Mass is divided into various parts-- beginning with the introductory rites (greeting, penitential act, Glory to God, etc), then the Liturgy of the Word (where the Scripture is proclaimed and the priest gives a homily) and the Liturgy of the Eucharist. The Liturgy of the Eucharist is the segment of the Mass where we say the prayers preparing to receive the Lord, and the priest consecrates the bread and wine to become the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of the Lord (by the power of the Holy Spirit). The pinnacle of the Mass is where the Lord becomes present (called the Real Presence) and we receive Him in the Eucharist (the consecrated Bread and Wine-see 1 Cor. 10:16–17, 11:23–29; John 6:32–71).

Speaking of Scripture, “Only say the word and I shall be healed” is from the Bible (Mt 8:8). It means that we ask for healing from the Lord with faith. As you may know, Catholics believe that the Sacraments are fonts of grace from God. So we believe that when we receive the Eucharist and other Sacraments, there is healing for our soul. This goes along with our teaching on ongoing sanctification.

I’m glad to hear that you do not neglect being part of a body of believers. We are the Body of Christ, and we who believe in Him are His light in the world. Every bit of common ground that we can find as parts of His Body will glorify Him.

PS. One common element that I believe we share is a deep love for our Lord and for the Scriptures. But that’s a point for another thread…

 

[Gia_B]

who decides if this is added? great prayer.

The rosary is a private devotion, so in addition to the rosary itself being optional, there are a lot of optional “add-ons.” These include the Fatima prayer, the glorious mysteries, praying to St. Michael at the end, or saying the Acts of Faith, Hope and Love along with the first three Hail Marys. All of these things are perfectly acceptable, but whether or not one actually does them is a matter of personal preference. If one chooses to do them, great, if not, there’s nothing wrong with that.

 

[TheSurvivor]

The priest says “This is the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. Happy are those who are called to his supper.” Then all respond (with humility) “Lord, I am not worthy to receive you, but only say the word and I shall be healed.”

You mean “Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, but only say the word and my soul shall be healed.” Correct?

God Bless you

 

[Prayer_Warrior]

You mean “Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, but only say the word and my soul shall be healed.” Correct?

God Bless you

Yep! sorry

 

[jjsmity]

As you can tell, there’s not just one Catholic prayer like you’re looking for, but all sorts of prayers that are similar.

If you’re looking for a prayer of repentance, you want to look for search terms like “Act of Contrition”, “penitence”, “prayer before/after Confession”, etc.

If you’re looking for more of a prayer expressing faith, look for things like “Act of Faith”, “Act of Hope,” “Act of Love,” etc.

Basically, you’ll find that certain prayers in these categories are pretty popular, and you will find them all over Catholic books and websites. Sometimes there will be slightly different translations of the same prayers. Some versions are cut, and some have stuff added to them. You may also find very specialized prayers, like ones written for very particular circumstances. Some prayers come in poem form, or can be sung as hymns. Some prayers are just really short comments, like somebody crying out to Jesus for help - old books call these “ejaculations.” There are plenty of choices.

Feel free to browse around and find a prayer that fits you. That’s why there are so many.

Thanks much great post, could you please post the prayer of “penitence” for me thanks.

You’re not familiar with Rich Mullins? The chorus of Creed put to music is

The Creed is theology, but a belief that I embrace and that informs my actions and my will doesn’t get any more personal.

Protip: Catholics are more both/and rather than either/or.

thanks for that clarification.

 

[jjsmity]

The answer to the OP’s question about asking Jesus to come into our heart is the Act of Spiritual Communion.

My Jesus, I believe that You are present in the Most Holy Sacrament. I love You above all things, and I desire to receive You into my soul. Since I cannot at this moment receive You sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart. I embrace You as if You were already there and unite myself wholly to You. Never permit me to be separated from You. Amen.

-Tim-

and some say catholic are not saved. Thanks great post.

 

[jjsmity]

question what is this and do all Catholics say it?

My God,
I am sorry for my sins with all my heart.
In choosing to do wrong
and failing to do good,
I have sinned against you
whom I should love above all things.
I firmly intend, with your help
to do penance,
to sin no more,
and to avoid whatever leads me to sin.
Our Savior Jesus Christ
suffered and died for us.
In his name, my God, have mercy.

Remember, Lord, your compassion and mercy
which you showed long ago.
Do not recall the sins and failings of my youth.
In your mercy remember me, Lord, because of your goodness.
Psalm 24:6-7

Father of mercy,
like the prodigal son
I return to you and say:
“I have sinned against you
and am no longer worthy to be called your son.”
Christ Jesus, Savior of the world,
I pray with the repentant thief
to whom you promised Paradise:
“Lord, remember me in your kingdom.”
Holy Spirit, fountain of love,
I call on you with trust:
“Purify my heart,
and help me to walk as a child of light.”

Lord Jesus,
you opened the eyes of the blind,
healed the sick,
forgave the sinful woman,
and after Peter’s denial confirmed him in your love.
Listen to my prayer:
forgive all my sins,
renew your love in my heart,
help me to live in perfect unity with my fellow Christians
that I may proclaim your saving power to all the world.

Lord Jesus, Son of God,
have mercy on me, a sinner.

Prayer of the Penitent, The Rite of the Sacrament of Reconciliation
(New York , NY: Catholic Book Publishing Co. 1975) p.37-39.

 

[Mintaka]

The first part is a version of the standard Act of Contrition. (There’s one Latin version, and about five hundred zillion English, Spanish, French, etc. translations.) The other prayers are also for people being penitent, as the credit at the bottom says. The last two lines are a version of the Jesus Prayer, but I don’t particularly recognize the other three.

A lot of older Catholic prayer books, as well as books for preparation for Communion, Confession, etc., will include several prayer options at a time, just to give people plenty of leeway for personal choice. Sometimes they’ll give the name of the prayer and sometimes they won’t.

Any prayer that is supposed to express contrition can be called an Act of Contrition. Just like there are hundreds of different prayers called “Act of Faith,” “Act of Hope,” or “Act of Love,” there are a lot of different Acts of Contrition.

It’s helpful to have some kind of Act of Contrition memorized for use at Confession, but if you bring along your book you can use any of those ones listed.

(Or anything you come up with by yourself, unless it includes, “Mwahaha and I’m not a bit sorry,” or similar bad stuff. But it’s a lot easier to let somebody else do the hard work of prayer composition, because going to Confession takes pretty much all your attention all by itself.)

 

[jjsmity]

so would you say at some point in a catholics life they have said either of these parts?

1]My God,
I am sorry for my sins with all my heart.
In choosing to do wrong
and failing to do good,
I have sinned against you
whom I should love above all things.
I firmly intend, with your help
to do penance,
to sin no more,
and to avoid whatever leads me to sin.
Our Savior Jesus Christ
suffered and died for us.
In his name, my God, have mercy.

or

2]

Father of mercy,
like the prodigal son
I return to you and say:
“I have sinned against you
and am no longer worthy to be called your son.”
Christ Jesus, Savior of the world,
I pray with the repentant thief
to whom you promised Paradise:
“Lord, remember me in your kingdom.”
Holy Spirit, fountain of love,
I call on you with trust:
“Purify my heart,
and help me to walk as a child of light.”

Lord Jesus,
you opened the eyes of the blind,
healed the sick,
forgave the sinful woman,
and after Peter’s denial confirmed him in your love.
Listen to my prayer:
forgive all my sins,
renew your love in my heart,
help me to live in perfect unity with my fellow Christians
that I may proclaim your saving power to all the world.

 

[jmcrae]

Hi, I was wondering is their anything similar to the “sinners prayer” in the catholic life and teachings?

something along the lines of putting faith in Jesus as lord and savior and asking him/god to forgive your sins by his death on the cross and most important, come into your heart as lord.

thanks

The Act of Contrition that we say in the Sacrament of Reconciliation, which is, when you think about it, the perfect way to confess your sins to the Lord and recommit your life to Him.

 

[jmcrae]

so would you say at some point in a catholics life they have said either of these parts?

1]My God,
I am sorry for my sins with all my heart.
In choosing to do wrong
and failing to do good,
I have sinned against you
whom I should love above all things.
I firmly intend, with your help
to do penance,
to sin no more,
and to avoid whatever leads me to sin.
Our Savior Jesus Christ
suffered and died for us.
In his name, my God, have mercy.

I use this one every time I go to Confession.

 

[Prayer_Warrior]

The first part is the “go-to” version of an Act of Contrition that almost any Catholic going to the Sacrament of Reconciliation is going to pray. Sometimes, a priest will tell a person to pray in their own words an act of Contrition.

Of course, I recognize the Psalm and have prayed that in personal prayer. I often use Scriptural passages in my prayer life. I don’t recognize the other two prayers, but I really like them!

 

[jmcrae]

question, you don’t receive jesus in your heart by a prayer? how do you do so? and the way you do so does it involve personal prayer at all?

I receive Jesus into my body and soul (including my heart) every time I go to Mass, which in my case is typically five or six times a week. This is both personal and public. I am receiving Him into myself when I walk up to the Altar every day and the priest gives Him to me.

 

[jjsmity]

The Act of Contrition that we say in the Sacrament of Reconciliation, which is, when you think about it, the perfect way to confess your sins to the Lord and recommit your life to Him.

The first part is the “go-to” version of an Act of Contrition that almost any Catholic going to the Sacrament of Reconciliation is going to pray. Sometimes, a priest will tell a person to pray in their own words an act of Contrition.

Of course, I recognize the Psalm and have prayed that in personal prayer. I often use Scriptural passages in my prayer life. I don’t recognize the other two prayers, but I really like them!

question, have all catholics been to the Sacrament of Reconciliation? how often is this? is this done at simply confession?.

 

[crumblymunky]

All Catholics go to confession at some point. I think the first confession is after the age of reason. After a child is capable of understanding sin, they are responsible for it, so they need to confess it in order for it to be forgiven.

Catholics go to confession every time they fall into a particularly bad sin, such as missing Church for a stupid reason, using birth control, sins of the flesh, etc. Any willful sin is something that needs to be confessed.

Confession is another word for the Sacrament of Reconciliation.