Morning & Evening Prayers
Bookends for your day — simple prayers to begin and end each day with God.
The Church has always prayed at the beginning and end of the day. It is an ancient rhythm — sanctifying the hours, offering the first and last moments of each day to God. You don't need a long routine. Even a single prayer, said with the heart, can anchor your whole day.
Here is a simple routine you can begin today. Pick one morning prayer and one evening prayer. Start there. Let it grow naturally.
Morning Prayers
Offer the day before it begins.
The Morning Offering
O Jesus, through the Immaculate Heart of Mary, I offer You my prayers, works, joys, and sufferings of this day, in union with the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass throughout the world. I offer them for all the intentions of Your Sacred Heart: the salvation of souls, reparation for sin, and the reunion of all Christians. Amen.
A Simple Morning Prayer
Lord, I thank You for the gift of this new day. I offer it to You — my thoughts, my words, my work, my rest. Help me to see Your hand in all things and to do Your will in all things. Keep me close to You today. Amen.
The Guardian Angel Prayer
Angel of God, my guardian dear, to whom God's love commits me here, ever this day be at my side, to light and guard, to rule and guide. Amen.
Prayer of St. Thérèse
O my God, I offer You every action of this day as a little act of love. I unite them to the merits of Jesus, my Savior. May every breath, every heartbeat, be a prayer. Amen.
Evening Prayers
Close the day with gratitude and trust.
An Examination of Conscience
Take a moment to look back over the day. Where did you see God's grace? Where did you fall short? Thank Him for the good. Ask forgiveness for the rest. Resolve to begin again tomorrow.
Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep
Now I lay me down to sleep, I pray the Lord my soul to keep. If I should die before I wake, I pray the Lord my soul to take. Amen.
An Act of Contrition
O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended Thee, and I detest all my sins because of Thy just punishments, but most of all because they offend Thee, my God, who art all good and deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve, with the help of Thy grace, to sin no more and to avoid the near occasion of sin. Amen.
A Simple Evening Prayer
Lord, as I end this day, I thank You for Your many gifts. Forgive me for where I failed to love. Watch over me and those I love through the night. Give me rest, and wake me ready to serve You again. Amen.
Prayers at Meals
Before Meals
Bless us, O Lord, and these Thy gifts, which we are about to receive from Thy bounty, through Christ our Lord. Amen.
After Meals
We give Thee thanks, almighty God, for all Thy benefits, who livest and reignest, world without end. Amen.
A Simple Daily Routine
When you wake: Make the Sign of the Cross. Say a morning offering — even one sentence. Offer the day to God before you do anything else.
At meals: Pause. Say the grace before meals. It takes ten seconds, and it turns eating into prayer.
Before bed: Look back over the day. Thank God for what was good. Ask forgiveness for what wasn't. Pray the Guardian Angel prayer. Sleep in peace.
That's it. Three moments, a few minutes each. A whole day, offered to God.
Learn More Prayers
Explore the full collection of essential Catholic prayers — the Our Father, Hail Mary, Act of Contrition, and more.
Essential Catholic Prayers →Thinking About Becoming Catholic?
You don't have to have it all figured out before you begin.