Prayers for the Salvation of Souls

As we fortify ourselves by learning more about the faith, we of course must remember to pray without ceasing! I found these prayers in Blessed Be God, and have been praying them daily for some time.

I like this first one for those I know who have “strayed out of the fold”, leaving the Catholic Church into which they’d been baptized:

Prayer for Heretics and Unbelievers

Lord Jesus, most merciful Savior of the world, we humbly beseech Thee, by Thy most Sacred Heart, that all the sheep who stray out of Thy fold, as well as those who are held by the darkness of error, may be converted to Thee, the Shepherd and Bishop of their souls Who livest and reignest with God the Father in the unity of the Holy Ghost, forever and ever.

Then there is this one for those among us who don’t yet even believe in God. I think also of those (like my friend Doc) who are Christians, and have examined the Catholic faith to some extent, but have rejected it; I like the line about having “courage to accept the faith and openly profess it” because it does take courage. In being received by the Church, one must make that profession that declares that “I believe all” that the Church teaches. Well, how can you ever know “all”?! That’s where faith comes in…and courage.

Prayer for the Conversion of Unbelievers

O Holy Spirit of truth, we beseech Thee to enlighten the minds of unbelievers in the midst of us; to incline their hearts to love Thy word, and to believe the teachings of Thy Church; give them courage to accept the faith and openly profess it; that they may come into union with Thee and the Father, through Christ our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth forever and ever.

And here’s one for “sinners”…which is all of us, of course, but this is particularly for those sinners who are not repentant, who continue to live in their sin. I think of people like Nancy Pelosi and Joe Biden, but there are plenty of lesser-known individuals among our own families and friends, I’m sure!

Prayer for Sinners

Almighty and eternal God, Who sleekest not the death  but the life of sinners, Who wouldst save all and have none to perish, mercifully hear our prayers on behalf of those who are dead in sin and grant that they may repent and live again in Thy grace. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

I like the above three; I pray them together, as they address each of the Persons of the Trinity. I also pray this one, addressed to Our Lady:

Prayer to Our Lady of Victory

O Victorious Lady! Thou who has ever such powerful influence with thy divine Son in conquering the hardest of hearts, intercede for those for whom we pray, that their hearts being softened by the rays of divine grace, they may return to the unity of the true faith, through Christ, our Lord. Amen.