How often, if ever, do you pray for your priest? Catholics look up to their priests a lot; whether it is for confessions, spiritual nourishment, cleansing and purification, or prayers.
The same way you need the priest to pray for you is the same way they need your prayers. Besides, priests are human too, and they face challenges like everyone else.
If you want to pray for your priest but lack the words to say to God, you are in the right place. This post contains five short catholic prayers for priests that can help you in your intercessory session.
Before you start, save these Wednesday blessing prayers.
1) Prayer for Priests
“Oh, Mary Mother of Priests,
Remember your sons who have sacrificed their lives to their calling to serve you and other people. Give them the grace to carry on the work of Christ in a world that needs God more than anything.
Grant them comfort and strength to withstand even the temptation of the flesh and withhold a life of celibacy, to which they have devoted their lives to. Just like our priests remember us in our needs, may you remember them in their needs also.
I pray to you Oh Holy Mother,
Original StAgnes.net prayer. Copying prohibited, except with source.
Amen.”
The Patron Saint of Priests, St. John Vianney once stated that “the priest is everything after God.”
For sure, he wasn’t wrong. Whenever we are in trouble or desperately need prayers, we run to our priests. But our priests are made of flesh and blood, just as you and me. They get sick, they face challenges and they get tempted as well.
Priests need our prayers more than ever. Our prayers give them the strength to carry on the work of Christ even when it gets too challenging.
Our prayers can help them overcome temptations and heed their vow of celibacy and total devotion to Christ.
2) Blessing Prayer for Catholic Priests
“Oh, Jesus, Mighty Priest,
Hold our dear priests within the shelter of Your sacred heart, so that the devil will not touch them. Let Your divine love envelop and guide them from the world’s contagion.
Bless the work of their hands and let their labor bear abundant fruit. May the hearts to whom they minister be their joy and consolation here on earth and in Heaven where they will wear the beautiful eternal crown.
Amen.”
Original StAgnes.net prayer. Copying prohibited, except with source.
Priests have a huge responsibility and a burden to bear. They serve churches here on earth, interceding for our needs, helping the needy, performing evangelistic work, and so much more.
However, many people forget that priests are not God, and therefore not self-sufficient. They need spiritual as well as physical nourishment too.
Take time to speak a word of blessing for your priest through this prayer, and you will be blessed. If you rely on your priest, they too, need your prayers.
Proclaim this beautiful Bible verse over your priest today:
“Guard my life, for I am faithful to you; save your servant who trusts in you. You are my God; have mercy on me, Lord, for I call to you all day long. Bring joy to your servant, Lord, for I put my trust in you.” — Psalm 86:2-4
3) Intercessory Prayer for Priests
“Our Savior Jesus Christ,
I bring to You through the Divine Holy Mary, all the works, sacrifices, prayers, joys, heartaches and struggles of Your chosen servants, the priests.
Meet every need of Your Holy priests who seek nothing but Your greater glory and the salvation of our souls.
Sanctify their proclamations and prayers at the altar, in the sanctuary, in the confessional and in all their doings to help the sick, needy, poor, old, orphaned and destitute.
Mary mother of the priests, protect them all in their holy vocation.
Amen.”
Original StAgnes.net prayer. Copying prohibited, except with source.
Devoting one’s life to celibacy and the work of God is not easy. Forsaking having a wife and family is a great sacrifice.
This gives all the more reason to intercede for priests because they are human after all and they need our love, care and support to live out their vocation well.
We should pray for priests to remain in their calling because they are chosen by God. Our prayers can strengthen them to live in a way that is holy and pleasing to Him. Besides, we should pray for priests because they are a part of our church.
If you pray for other church members, then you can’t miss to pray for your priest. Don’t assume that because they are ministers of God, all is well with them. Priests face more challenges than you know.
4) Prayer to Protect and Bless Priests
“Divine Mary Mother of Jesus,
Throw Your arms over Your priests, protecting them from harm and danger. Keep them in Your heart and be a mother to them, particularly in times when they face discouragement, lack and loneliness.
The priests are Your sons too, like Jesus. So protect them from temptations and preserve their hearts as pure and virginal.
Remember how they devote their entire lives to serving others and giving all to Jesus. Bless them and preserve a special place in Your heart. Let them one day wear many crowns of their great works here on earth,
Amen.”
Original StAgnes.net prayer. Copying prohibited, except with source.
Ministry can be emotionally and physically exhausting and if not taken care of, our priests can easily burn out. Priests selflessly devote themselves towards serving others, but who serves them?
This calls out every believer to not only pray but also serve their priests.
There are many ways to care for your priest, including calling to check up on them, visiting them, inviting them for dinner if possible or cooking for them.
Paul instructed the church in Thessalonica in 1 Thessalonians 5: 12-13:
“Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to acknowledge those who work hard among you, who care for you in the Lord and who admonish you. Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other.”
The call to care for priests is well illustrated in Paul’s message.
5) Thanksgiving Prayer for Priests
“Lord Jesus,
Thank You for anointing Your priests and sending them to proclaim Your good news and acts. They are a wonderful gift to the church, and we offer praise and thanksgiving in return.
I pray, Lord, that You may keep their fire to serve the church burning and let Your power shine through their weakness. And may the gift of Mary, the mother of our dear Jesus Christ, be Your gift to every priest.
In Your name, I pray,
Amen.”
Original StAgnes.net prayer. Copying prohibited, except with source.
Again, Paul instructed the church in Thessalonica, “Brethren, pray for us,” (1 Thessalonians 5:25).
Paul was a blessing to thousands of people after God called him to be an apostle. But his service came with its fair share of challenges, including persecution, imprisonment, facing hunger and near-death experiences among others.
Which is why he expressed for his brothers in Christ to pray for him and other apostles.
Similarly, you should always remember your priest in prayer. Don’t just say short generic prayers but big and inspired.
Call every priest by name in prayer and pray over their individual needs, without forgetting to thank the Lord for blessing you with someone you can run to whenever you need intercession or confession.
In addition, don’t forget to personally thank your priest for his dedication towards you and for touching the lives of millions of people. Be sure to honor him and show your appreciation.
Can I Say These Prayers to Thank A Priest for a Blessing?
Sure you can. Praying for your priest is a lovely way to thank him for always being there for your spiritual needs as well as others. These beautiful prayers express your gratitude to God for your priest.
Can I Print These Prayers?
Of course. Printing the prayers makes it easier to share with others who also desire to pray for their priests. You could also carry and derive them easily whenever you need to say a quick prayer.
Final Thoughts
Hopefully, these prayers will help guide you as you pray for your priest. As indicated in the Word, it is not a request but an instruction to pray for the servants of God, including priests.
Therefore, as a devout child of God, remember your priest in prayers and through actions as well.
Don’t always be a Christian who runs to their spiritual leader only when they need help but forget to show appreciation, love, care and support when their priests need them the most. As priests work hard to care for us, let us do the same for them, and we shall be blessed.
