Pray with the Saints
Many Catholic and Orthodox Christians ask Mary and the saints to pray with them and for them. Choose someone whose life or traditional patronage speaks to the need you wish to bring before God.
Christians who use these prayers do not worship Mary, the saints or the angels. Worship belongs to God alone. They are asking fellow members of the communion of saints—the family of Christ on earth and in heaven—to join their prayer. Many Protestant Christians do not follow this practice and direct their prayers to God without asking a saint to intercede.
The particular patronages below are drawn mainly from Catholic tradition. These are new simple prayers written for this website, not ancient or official texts. Where a prayer uses N., say the person’s name if you wish.
Mary, Mother of Jesus
Mary listened to God, gave birth to Jesus and remained close to him through his life, death and resurrection. Christians ask her to pray for those seeking to follow her Son and for people carrying fear, family concerns or grief.
Ask Mary to pray that you may listen to Jesus and follow him faithfully.
Mary, Mother of Jesus, pray for me.
You listened to God’s word and trusted him.
Pray that I may listen to your Son and follow him faithfully.
May the Holy Spirit form in me a life of faith, hope and love.
Amen.
Ask Mary to pray with you as you bring your fear and uncertainty before God.
Mary, gentle Mother, pray for me in this fear.
You trusted God when the way ahead was uncertain.
Pray that Christ will quiet my heart and give me courage for the next step.
Lead me towards the help, wisdom and peace I need.
Amen.
Ask Mary to pray for the people entrusted to your love and care.
Mary, Mother of the Holy Family, pray for my family.
Place our needs before Jesus, who shared your home at Nazareth.
Pray for protection, patience and healing among us.
May our home grow in truth, kindness and peace.
Amen.
Mary stood near Jesus at the cross. Ask her to pray with you in your sorrow.
Mary, Mother of Sorrows, pray for me in this grief.
You stood near Jesus at the cross and knew the pain of loss.
Ask him to hold me gently in sorrow and keep hope alive.
Help me carry love and memory into the days ahead.
Amen.
St Anne
Christian tradition remembers St Anne as the mother of Mary and grandmother of Jesus. She is especially associated with parents, grandparents, older people and those longing for a child.
Ask St Anne to pray for those carrying the hopes and responsibilities of parenthood.
St Anne, faithful mother, pray for all parents and expectant parents.
Ask God to give them patience, courage and wisdom.
Help them welcome each child as a life of dignity and promise.
May their homes be places of safety, tenderness and truth.
Amen.
Ask St Anne to pray for older generations and for the gifts they offer to their families and communities.
St Anne, grandmother of Jesus, pray for grandparents and older people.
Pray that their love, experience and faith will be treasured.
Strengthen those who are lonely, tired or worried for their families.
May every generation learn to give and receive with gratitude.
Amen.
Ask St Anne to pray for people carrying the longing, uncertainty or grief of waiting for a child.
St Anne, mother of Mary, pray for those longing for a child.
You knew years of waiting and placed your hope in God.
Hold before him the longing, grief and uncertainty they carry.
Pray that they may receive compassionate support, wise care and peace.
Amen.
Ask St Anne to pray for everyone helping children and young people discover God.
St Anne, pray for all who help the young discover God.
May their words be honest, gentle and rooted in love.
Keep them from fear, pressure and easy answers.
Pray that each new generation may come freely to know and follow Jesus.
Amen.
St Anthony of Padua
St Anthony of Padua was a gifted preacher of Jesus and is widely known as the patron saint of lost things. Christians also ask for his prayers when they feel lost or need to recover something deeper.
Ask St Anthony to pray for calm, patience and perspective as you search.
St Anthony, friend of those who have lost something, pray for me.
Pray that I may search calmly, carefully and honestly.
Help me remember that no possession is greater than peace with God.
Whether I find it or not, keep me patient and grateful.
Amen.
Ask St Anthony to pray for you when you cannot see clearly where your life is going.
St Anthony, wise preacher of Christ, pray for me when I feel lost.
Ask the Holy Spirit to clear my confusion and reveal the next good step.
Keep me from choices driven only by fear or haste.
Lead me back to Jesus, who is the way, the truth and the life.
Amen.
Ask St Anthony to pray for the restoration of what has been lost within you.
St Anthony, pray for me as I seek what has been lost within.
Intercede for the return of faith, hope and love.
Help me receive God’s mercy and begin again.
May Christ become the treasure of my heart.
Amen.
St Christopher
St Christopher is traditionally honoured as a patron saint of travellers. Christians ask him to pray for safe journeys and for all who travel by road, rail, sea or air.
Ask St Christopher to pray for everyone making this journey.
St Christopher, bearer of Christ and patron of travellers, pray for us.
Ask God to guide and protect us on this journey.
Keep us attentive to others, patient in delay and wise in danger.
May Christ travel with us and bring us safely to our destination.
Amen.
Ask St Christopher to pray for the traveller by name if you can.
St Christopher, pray for N. as they travel.
Ask God to guard them and all who share their journey.
Give skill and good judgement to those responsible for their safety.
May they arrive safely and return with peace.
Amen.
Ask St Christopher to pray for protection, calm and wise decisions when travelling conditions are difficult.
St Christopher, pray for us in this difficult journey.
May God protect us from danger, panic and reckless choices.
Give us wisdom to stop, turn back or seek help when needed.
Keep every traveller in your prayers until the way is safe.
Amen.
St Dymphna
St Dymphna is honoured as a patron saint of people experiencing mental illness, anxiety, emotional distress or the effects of abuse and trauma. Prayer can accompany, but should not replace, professional care and practical protection.
Ask St Dymphna to pray with you while you seek calm and appropriate support.
St Dymphna, compassionate friend in distress, pray for me.
Bring my anxious thoughts and fears before Jesus.
Pray for calm enough to breathe, think and take the next safe step.
Lead me towards trustworthy people and the help I need.
Amen.
Ask St Dymphna to pray for strength, good care and freedom from shame.
St Dymphna, patron of those living with mental illness, pray for me.
Ask Christ to meet me in confusion, exhaustion and pain.
Pray for wisdom and compassion in those who care for me.
Help me remember that illness cannot take away my God-given dignity.
Amen.
Ask St Dymphna to pray for the person and for those trying to support them.
St Dymphna, pray for N. in this emotional distress.
Ask God to keep them safe and surround them with patient care.
Guide those who listen, treat and make decisions.
May hope reach them gently, one day and one moment at a time.
Amen.
Ask St Dymphna to pray for safety, truth, healing and trustworthy support.
St Dymphna, companion of those who have suffered violence, pray for me.
Ask God to lead me towards safety, truth and healing.
Help me find people who will listen, believe and support me.
May what was done to me never define my worth or my future.
Amen.
St Francis of Assisi
St Francis of Assisi saw creation as a gift from God and chose a life of simplicity, peace and care for others. He is especially associated with animals and the protection of the natural world.
Ask St Francis to pray for an animal and for everyone responsible for its care.
St Francis, brother to all creation, pray for this animal.
Give thanks with me for the life God has made.
Pray that they may be protected from hunger, cruelty and neglect.
Teach us to treat every living creature with gentleness and care.
Amen.
Ask St Francis to pray for your pet alongside prompt and appropriate veterinary care.
St Francis, pray for my pet in illness.
Ask God to ease their suffering and calm their fear.
Guide the skill and judgement of those treating them.
Help me make loving and responsible decisions for their care.
Amen.
Ask St Francis to pray with you as you grieve an animal you loved.
St Francis, pray with me as I grieve my pet.
I thank God for the companionship and joy they brought.
Ask Christ to comfort me in the emptiness their death has left.
Help me remember them with gratitude and tenderness.
Amen.
Ask St Francis to pray that people may care wisely and gratefully for the world God has made.
St Francis, lover of the Creator and of all he made, pray for us.
Awaken gratitude for the earth and every creature that depends on it.
Pray that we may turn from waste, greed and careless harm.
Teach us to live more simply and protect our common home.
Amen.
St Joseph
St Joseph cared faithfully for Mary and Jesus. He is honoured as a patron saint of workers, families, fathers and carers, and of those approaching death.
Ask St Joseph to pray for you as you search for honest and suitable work.
St Joseph, worker and guardian of Jesus, pray for me.
You served God through quiet, faithful labour.
Pray that I may find work that is honest and sufficient for my needs.
Pray for patience in searching and integrity in every task.
Amen.
Ask St Joseph to pray for the safety, healing and peace of your family.
St Joseph, guardian of the Holy Family, pray for us.
You protected Mary and Jesus with courage and steady love.
Ask God to heal what is strained and strengthen what is good.
May our home become a place of faithfulness, kindness and peace.
Amen.
Ask St Joseph to pray for everyone entrusted with the care of children.
St Joseph, gentle father and faithful carer, pray for them.
Ask God to give them wisdom, patience and courage.
Teach them to protect without controlling and guide without humiliating.
May their love reflect the tenderness and faithfulness of God.
Amen.
St Joseph is traditionally invoked for the dying and for those accompanying them at the end of life.
St Joseph, patron of a peaceful death, pray for N.
As tradition remembers you dying near Jesus and Mary, pray that Christ will be close now.
Ask God for comfort, dignity, forgiveness and freedom from fear.
Strengthen all who love, care for and accompany N.
Amen.
St Michael the Archangel
Scripture presents St Michael the Archangel as a servant of God who fights against evil. Christians ask for his prayers when they need protection, courage or strength to resist wrongdoing.
Ask St Michael to pray for God’s protection and for strength against deception and spiritual harm.
St Michael the Archangel, servant of God and defender against evil, pray for us.
By God’s power, guard us from deception, hatred and spiritual harm.
Pray that Christ will keep our hearts faithful and our minds clear.
May no fear or darkness draw us away from God’s love.
Amen.
Ask St Michael to pray for courage while you take wise and practical steps towards safety.
St Michael, pray for me when I am afraid.
Ask God to protect me and steady my heart.
Pray for courage to seek help, speak truth and act wisely.
Remind me that Christ is near and fear does not rule my life.
Amen.
Ask St Michael to pray for strength when you are tempted or pressured to do what is wrong.
St Michael, pray for me in temptation and pressure.
Ask the Holy Spirit to strengthen my will and clear my judgement.
Help me refuse what is dishonest, cruel or harmful.
May I choose the way of Christ even when it costs me.
Amen.
St Monica
St Monica prayed faithfully for her son Augustine through many years of worry and difficulty. She is associated with concern for loved ones and perseverance in prayer.
Ask St Monica to pray for someone you love and worry about.
St Monica, faithful mother, pray for N., whom I love and worry about.
You carried your concern to God through years of patient prayer.
Ask Christ to protect, guide and draw near to N.
Teach me to love faithfully without trying to control.
Amen.
Ask St Monica to pray for the person without pressure, argument or fear.
St Monica, pray for N., who has turned away from faith.
Ask God to meet them in freedom, truth and mercy.
Keep me from pressure, argument and fearful judgement.
Help me remain a loving witness and trust their journey to God.
Amen.
Ask St Monica to pray for protection, truth and appropriate help.
St Monica, pray for N. as they make choices that may cause harm.
Ask God to interrupt what is destructive and open a path towards truth.
Guide those who can offer firm and compassionate help.
Show me how to love without hiding, excusing or enabling harm.
Amen.
Ask St Monica to pray with you when answers seem delayed or uncertain.
St Monica, persevering woman of prayer, pray for me.
When answers seem delayed, keep me faithful without becoming demanding.
Teach me to hope, act wisely and release what I cannot control.
May I trust God’s love even while I wait.
Amen.
St Raphael the Archangel
In the Book of Tobit, St Raphael brings healing, guidance and companionship. Christians ask him to pray for people who are ill, receiving treatment or seeking direction.
Ask St Raphael to pray for healing, strength and good care.
St Raphael the Archangel, whose name means “God heals”, pray for me.
In the Book of Tobit you brought healing and hope.
Ask God to strengthen me and guide those who care for me.
May Christ be close in pain, uncertainty and recovery.
Amen.
Ask St Raphael to pray for you and for the medical team. Prayer does not replace medical advice or treatment.
St Raphael, companion of those seeking healing, pray for me.
Ask God to calm my fear before this treatment.
Guide the hands, skill and judgement of the medical team.
May I meet each step with courage and trust.
Amen.
Ask St Raphael to pray for direction and for trustworthy people to accompany you.
St Raphael, faithful guide and travelling companion, pray for me.
As you accompanied Tobias, ask God to direct my path.
Bring wise and trustworthy people alongside me.
Help me recognise the next step and take it with courage.
Amen.
St Rita of Cascia
St Rita of Cascia is traditionally associated with causes that seem impossible, troubled relationships, bereavement and perseverance through suffering.
Ask St Rita to pray for you when no clear solution can be seen.
St Rita, patron of causes that seem impossible, pray for me.
Place this need before God, who sees what I cannot.
Pray for a way forward, and for wisdom to accept what cannot be changed.
Keep me faithful, realistic and open to unexpected grace.
Amen.
Ask St Rita to pray for strength when disappointment has become difficult to bear.
St Rita, woman of steadfast hope, pray for me.
You remained faithful through disappointment and loss.
Ask Christ to stay near when I am weary and discouraged.
Help me notice the next small sign of life and continue one day at a time.
Amen.
Ask St Rita to pray for truth, healing and safety. Reconciliation should never require remaining in danger or denying harm.
St Rita, who knew conflict and suffering in family life, pray for us.
Ask God to bring truth, repentance and healing where they are possible.
Pray for protection from further harm and guide us towards wise boundaries.
May any path to peace be honest, just and safe.
Amen.
Ask St Rita to pray with you through bereavement and unwanted change.
St Rita, who endured deep bereavement, pray for me in this loss.
Carry my sorrow before Christ, who wept and who rose again.
Ask him for strength through the changes I did not choose.
Help me hold memory, love and Christian hope together.
Amen.
St Thérèse of Lisieux
St Thérèse of Lisieux taught a “little way” of trusting God and showing love through small, ordinary actions. She is also honoured as a patron saint of missionaries.
Ask St Thérèse to pray for simple, patient trust in God’s mercy.
St Thérèse, child of God’s mercy, pray for me.
You learned to trust God through weakness rather than achievement.
Ask Jesus to free me from the need to prove my worth.
Teach me to place this day, and myself, gently in his hands.
Amen.
Ask St Thérèse to pray that you may recognise your worth in God’s love.
St Thérèse, pray for me when I feel small or unseen.
You found holiness in hidden acts of love.
Ask God to remind me that my life is known and valued.
Help me serve without needing praise and receive love without shame.
Amen.
Ask St Thérèse to pray that ordinary duties may become acts of patient love.
St Thérèse, teacher of the little way, pray for me.
Ask Jesus to fill my ordinary duties with love.
Help me meet small frustrations with patience and hidden needs with kindness.
May no act of goodness seem too little to offer God.
Amen.
Ask St Thérèse to pray for those sharing Christian faith through words, service and daily life.
St Thérèse, patron of missionaries, pray for all who share the Gospel.
Ask the Holy Spirit to make their witness humble, truthful and loving.
Protect them from pride, pressure and discouragement.
May their words and lives lead people freely towards Jesus.
Amen.