Can You Finish These Prayers Most Christians Know by Heart?
By: Kennita Leon
11 min
Image: ImagineGolf / E+ / Getty Images
About This Quiz
Prayer is how we speak to God, and if you're a Christian, chances are you've been saying them for quite some time now. And even if you aren't, most of these prayers have been said so many times that you're bound to have learned a few by now. Early Christian prayers were said standing with one's face looking toward the heavens, but it is nowhere near as formal as it once was. Some prayers, like the posture, have evolved and there are now different versions of some of them. But they mean the same thing and are close enough to the original that you'll still be able to identify them. And we're going to put that knowledge to the test today.Â
So we'll give you the first line of a prayer and we'll ask you to pick the last line. Your job is to choose the correct ending of each of the prayers that we're going to discuss, and if you answer enough correct, we'll be really impressed. Most, if not all Christians should know these prayers and their endings, but do you think you do? Find that out and more in this fun Christian prayers quiz.Â
"We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, Maker of all that is, seen and unseen ..."
We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come.
Holy God, Holy Mighty One, Holy Immortal One, have mercy on us and on the whole world.
Gracious God of our ancestors.
That where there is sadness, I may bring joy.
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The Nicene Creed is a statement of belief that is named after Nicaea, a city in Turkey where it was first endorsed by the First Council of Nicaea. The Nicene Creed epitomizes Christian faith and upholds the Trinity (God The Father, Son and Holy Spirit).
"Hail Mary, full of grace. The Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou amongst women ..."
Dear God, please reveal to us your sublime beauty.
Lord, make me a channel of thy peace.
Gracious God of our ancestors.
Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death.
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Also known as the Ave Maria, the Hail Mary is considered a traditional prayer of the Catholic Church. It requests the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary to her son, Jesus Christ.
"I confess to Almighty God, to blessed Mary ever Virgin, to blessed Michael, the Archangel, to blessed John the Baptist, to the holy Apostles Peter and Paul ..."
My divine love, my love, please let us touch your face.
Lord, make me a channel of thy peace.
This we pray through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Blessed John the Baptist, the holy Apostles Peter and Paul, all the Saints, and you, Father, to pray to the Lord our God for me.
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Confiteor, which, in Latin, means "I confess" or "I acknowledge," is a prayer said when confessing one's sins to the Lord. It is often recited at the commencement of Mass during the Roman Rite and as the sinner prepares for grace.
"Grant, we beseech Thee, Almighty God, that we who are weighed down by the burden of our sins may be raised up ..."
Christ in mouth of friend and stranger.
By Christ in all ways.
By the patronage of blessed Dominic Thy Confessor.
May we walk and preach the word of God to all.
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St. Dominic was the founder of The Dominican Order, which is also known as The Order of the Preachers. The Nine Ways of Prayer of St Dominic were methods of prayer and positioning of the body that would place the believer in the best position to receive God's word.
"O my God, I love you above all things, with my whole heart and soul, because you are all good and worthy of all my love ..."
I forgive all who have injured me and I ask pardon of all whom I have injured.
It is by dying that one awakens to Eternal Life.
And may our tongues proclaim you.
May we walk and preach the word of God to all.
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The Act of Love prayer compels us to think the true meaning of love, in a way that would be pleasing to God. It declares love and forgiveness of others through one's love for God and asks for forgiveness of sins for all.
"O my God, I firmly believe that you are one God in three divine Persons, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit ..."
Because in revealing them you can neither deceive nor be deceived.
Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, Amen.
My divine love, my love, please let us touch your face.
Grant me, O Lord, a steady hand and watchful eye.
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The Act of Faith prayer, or as it is simply called, The Act of Faith, is one that is recited as a means of reaffirming one's belief in God. It states the belief in the Holy Trinity, in the Passion of Christ, Jesus' resurrection and Judgement Day.
"Hail to you Joseph, on whom divine grace has showered his gifts ..."
And deign to be our succour at the hour of our death.
As it was in the beginning, is now,and ever shall be, world without end.
This we pray through Christ our Lord. Amen.
And may our tongues proclaim you.
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Hail Joseph is a prayer recited to Saint Joseph, father of Jesus and husband of Mary. This prayer asks for St. Joseph, the Son of David, to pray for the sinners on Earth, in their current circumstance and before their death.
"Pour forth, we beseech Thee, O Lord, Thy grace into our hearts ..."
Gracious and holy Father.
Christ be with me, Christ within me.
Through the same Christ, our Lord.
Grant me, O Lord, a steady hand and watchful eye.
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The Angelus is a Marian devotion that is believed to have first been recited by monks, hundreds of years ago. This prayer is about the incarnation of Jesus and compels an individual to respond to the will of God. It is usually recited at six in the morning, midday and six in the evening.
"The cross of Christ be with me; The cross of Christ overcomes all water and every fire ..."
It gives us the strength to carry on.
Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, Amen.
This we pray through Christ our Lord. Amen.
The blessing which God spoke over the whole human race, be with me always.
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Christ Be With Me is a prayer written by Saint Patrick, a Christian missionary, when he was working in Ireland and sought God's protection from his adversaries. This prayer asks for Christ to surround him and protect him at all stages of his journey.
"Our Father, who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy Name ..."
As it was in the beginning, is now,and ever shall be, world without end.
Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, Amen.
For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, for ever and ever.
Holy God, Holy Mighty One, Holy Immortal One, have mercy on us and on the whole world.
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The Lord's Prayer, also known as the Our Father prayer, is the one that Jesus taught his disciplines. This prayer is universal and is used by denominations worldwide and appears in two different places in the Bible- in Luke 11:2-4 (NIV) and Mathew 6:9-13.
"O Jesus, through the Immaculate Heart of Mary, I offer You my prayers, works, joys, and sufferings of this day ..."
Mary, the mother of our Lord and of the Church, I pray especially for this month’s intentions as proposed by the Holy Father.
I offer them for the intentions of our bishops and of all Apostles of Prayer, and in particular for those recommended by our Holy Father this month.
Gracious God of our ancestors.
That where there is sadness, I may bring joy.
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The Morning Offering is a prayer that can be by recited at the beginning of the day, as a means of dedicating yourself to God and submitting to him the good and bad parts of your day. This prayer was created in 1844 by Father Francois Xavier Gaulrelet.
"Soul of Christ, sanctify me; Body of Christ, save me ..."
Grant me, O Lord, a steady hand and watchful eye.
Holy God, Holy Mighty One, Holy Immortal One, have mercy on us and on the whole world.
Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, Amen.
That with your saints, I may be praising you forever and ever.
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Anima Christi, a Latin term which means "Soul of Christ" in English, is a prayer for the weary, who may feel as if they are stuck in a rut. This prayer asks that God provide his believers with strength, guidance throughout their daily lives and alleviation from their sorrows.
"St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle. Be our defense against the wickedness and snares of the Devil ..."
By the power of God cast into hell Satan and all the evil spirits who wander through the world seeking the ruin of souls.
Cast away the evil spirits and deliver us.
As it was in the beginning, is now,and ever shall be, world without end.
Dear God, please reveal to us your sublime beauty.
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This is one of the many prayers to Holy Michael, the Archangel, who is regarded as a patron of the Church. This Saint protects the church against Satan and maintains the faithfulness of its people. This prayer is an embodiment of this belief, as it seeks protection from evil spirits.
"O my God, relying on your almighty power and infinite mercy and promises ..."
Holy God, Holy Mighty One, Holy Immortal One, have mercy on us and on the whole world.
Dear God, please reveal to us your sublime beauty.
Through the merits of Jesus Christ, my Lord and Redeemer.
Rule and guide.
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The Act of Hope offers comfort to the Lord's servants, in times of trials and despair. This prayer asks for forgiveness of sins and serves as a reminder that Christ has not forsaken his servants.
"Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thy intercession was left unaided ..."
It is by dying that one awakens to Eternal Life.
Christ be with me, Christ within me.
O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in thy mercy hear and answer me.
Grant me, O Lord, a steady hand and watchful eye.
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The Memorare is a Catholic prayer to the Blessed Virgin Mary that became popular during the 17th century, due to the efforts of Father Claude Bernard. This prayer can be recited at any time, but it is most applicable during times of sorrow or distress.
"O my God, at the end of this day I thank You most heartily for all the graces I have received from You ..."
Lord, make me a channel of thy peace.
This we pray through Christ our Lord. Amen.
As it was in the beginning, is now,and ever shall be, world without end.
Have mercy on the suffering souls in purgatory.
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The Evening Prayer offers thanks to God for his protection and mercies throughout the day. In this prayer, the believer seeks God, reaffirms his belief in his powers and his grace and ask that he be pure and true like Him.
"May the most holy, most sacred, most adorable, most incomprehensible and ineffable Name of God ..."
Christ in mouth of friend and stranger.
And by the Sacred Heart of our Lord Jesus Christ in the most Holy Sacrament of the altar.
Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, Amen.
Dear God, please reveal to us your sublime beauty.
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This prayer was first delivered by Sister Mary of Saint Peter, who was gifted with the words by Jesus Christ. It speaks about reparation and is often recited along with other prayers, as part of Holy Face Devotion.
"Lord, make me an instrument of your peace: where there is hatred, let me sow love ..."
Gracious God of our ancestors.
Lord, make me a channel of thy peace.
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned, and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.
Holy God, Holy Mighty One, Holy Immortal One, have mercy on us and on the whole world.
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"Make me an Instrument of Your Peace" is known as the prayer of St. Francis or the peace prayer. This prayer was published by an anonymous author in 1912 and it is dedicated to Saint Francis. He was a Catholic preacher from Italy who is highly regarded for his work.
"O Holy St. Anthony, gentlest of Saints, your love for God and Charity for His creatures ..."
And may our tongues proclaim you.
May we walk and preach the word of God to all.
And the gratitude of my heart will ever be yours.
Lord, make me a channel of thy peace.
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This is a prayer to Saint Anthony of Padua, a Catholic priest who was regarded as a miracle worker. "Unfailing Prayer to St Anthony" is a short but powerful prayer that "has never been known to fail" and is a way of praying to Christ through this Saint.
"You expired, Jesus, but the source of life gushed forth for souls, and the ocean of mercy opened up for the whole world ..."
Christ in mouth of friend and stranger.
Holy God, Holy Mighty One, Holy Immortal One, have mercy on us and on the whole world.
For the sake of His sorrowful Passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world.
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.
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This intercessory prayer was first said by St. Faustina after she had a vision of an angel who was sent by God. The Chaplet of Divine Mercy should be prayed during Holy Mass, after one has received Holy Communion and also in the nine days before The Feast of Mercy.
"Come, Holy Spirit, Divine Creator, true source of light and fountain of wisdom! Pour forth your brilliance upon my dense intellect, dissipate the darkness ..."
My divine love, my love, please let us touch your face.
This we pray through Christ our Lord. Amen.
This I ask through Jesus Christ, true God and true man, living and reigning with You and the Father, forever and ever.
Christ be with me, Christ within me.
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St. Thomas Aquinas was a priest who was also known as "The Angelic Doctor" because of his work and publications about angels. This priest wrote The Student's Prayer, which asks for students to be granted clarity, understanding, retentive memory and the skill of self-expression.
"My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior ..."
Even as He spoke to our father - to Abraham and to his posterity forever.
Christ in mouth of friend and stranger.
Dear God, please reveal to us your sublime beauty.
And may our tongues proclaim you.
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Magnificat is Latin for "My soul magnifies the Lord." This canticle was first said by The Blessed Virgin Mary and thus it is known as the Canticle of Mary or the Song of Mary. The Magnificat is a compilation of hymns, scripture readings and psalms and it is recited during a liturgy at Catholic churches.
"The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures ..."
This we pray through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Christ in mouth of friend and stranger.
Please reveal to us your sublime beauty.
And I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.
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The 23rd psalm from the Book is Psalms is also known as the prayer, "The Lord is my Shepherd." The Book is Psalms is the third part of the Hebrew Bible and it is said that most of the psalms were written by King David, one of the first kings of Israel.
"Father, in Your goodness grant me the intellect to comprehend You ..."
Grant me a perfect end, your holy presence, a blessed resurrection and life everlasting.
Lord, make me a channel of thy peace.
Rule and guide.
Dear God, please reveal to us your sublime beauty.
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Saint Benedict of Nursia was a priest who founded the Benedictine monks. The St. Benedict prayer is one that can be recited when using the St Benedict medal. This sacred medallion is engraved with symbols and writing about the life of this Saint.
"Bless us, O Lord, and these, Thy gifts, which we are about to receive from Thy bounty ..."
Gracious God of our ancestors.
Through Christ, our Lord, amen.
Make me a channel of thy peace.
Gracious and holy Father.
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Grace before meals is a traditional prayer that is said before food is eaten, as a way of expressing thanks to God so that the meal may be blessed. This prayer is a means of following in the footsteps of Jesus and Paul, the apostle, who would pray before eating.
"Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, have mercy on us. Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, hear us ..."
Be delivered from present sorrow and enjoy eternal happiness. Through Christ Our Lord. Amen.
It is by dying that one awakens to Eternal Life.
That where there is sadness, I may bring joy.
Queen of angels, pray for us.
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The Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary, also known as The Litany of Loreto, is one that is prayed when seeking forgiveness for sins and protection from hardship. Pope Sixtus V endorsed it in 1587 and, out of the six litanies, it is the only one that is acceptable to be recited in public.
"Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost ..."
My divine love, my love, please let us touch your face.
Christ in mouth of friend and stranger.
As it was in the beginning is now, and ever shall be, world without end.
Gracious and holy Father.
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Glory Be to the Father or simply Glory Be, is also called the Gloria Patri. It is a brief hymn which praises God addressing him as Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
"Angel of God, my Guardian dear, to whom His love commits me here, ever this day (or night) be at my side ..."
To light and guard, to rule and guide.
Rule and guide.
And guard us all these days.
May we walk and preach the word of God to all.
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The Guardian Angel Prayer is a short prayer Christians say to their guardian angel, seeking his protection and guidance throughout their days. This prayer is a way of expressing love to the guardian and a means of connecting with this higher being.
"O my God, my Redeemer, behold me here at Thy feet ..."
My divine love, my love, please let us touch your face.
As it was in the beginning, is now ,and ever shall be, world without end.
I will die rather than offend thee again.
Our Father. Hail Mary. Glory be to the Father.
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The Stations of the Cross opens with the Act of Contrition, which is a powerful prayer that is said during Lent to commemorate the Passion of Christ. Essentially it comprises of 14 stations or devotions that speaks about Jesus's last day on Earth as a man, from his condemnation to his crucifixion.
"I believe in God, the Father Almighty, creator of heaven and earth ..."
And may our tongues proclaim you.
Grant me, O Lord, a steady hand and watchful eye.
This we pray through Christ our Lord. Amen.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Holy Catholic Church, the communion of Saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting.
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The Apostle's Creed is a proclamation of Christian belief which is referred to as the Apostolic Creed or Symbol of the Apostles. It is based on the Old Roman Symbol and declares belief in the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.
"O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended You and I detest all my sins ..."
Holy God, Holy Mighty One, Holy Immortal One, have mercy on us and on the whole world.
I firmly resolve, with the help of your grace, to confess my sins, to do penance and to amend my life.
As it was in the beginning, is now,and ever shall be, world without end.
Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, Amen.
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This Christian prayer professes absolute regret for sins committed. It is used during the Sacrament of Penance or Reconciliation for examining the conscience.
"Hail, holy Queen, Mother of mercy, hail, our life, our sweetness, and our hope ..."
Christ be with me, Christ within me.
O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary.
Blessed be God forever and ever.
This we pray through Christ our Lord. Amen.
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The Holy Rosary is usually concluded in a number of ways and one is with the Hail Holy Queen prayer. It's a Catholic prayer which consists of five sets of ten Hail Marys. A string of beads is used to assist with the reciting of the prayers in sequence.
Some Christians say the sign of the Cross before and after prayers. Many people do not realize that it is actually a prayer by itself. It is said by using one's right hand to make a cross about the body, from the forehead to the chest, then the left and right shoulder respectively.
Holy God, Holy Mighty One, Holy Immortal One, have mercy on us and on the whole world.
As it was in the beginning, is now,and ever shall be, world without end.
That others may become holier than I, provided that I may become as holy as I should, Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
Rule and guide.
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The Litany of Humility is a prayer that is said in private, when one seeks to be humble in his/her daily life. It is a means of asking the Lord for guidance in refraining from being self-centered and instead focusing on following his word and seeking his approval, rather than the approval of man.