Thursday Prayers
Introductory Prayers
Step 1
The Sign of the Cross
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Step 2
The Apostles' Creed
I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, God's only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; he descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again; he ascended into heaven, he is seated at the right hand of the Father, and he will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
Step 3
On the first large rosary bead, pray the Our Father:
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. Amen. (Matthew 6:9b-13 NIV)
Step 4
On each of the next three beads, pray the Jesus Prayer:
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy upon me, a sinner.
Step 5
On the next large bead, pray Glory Be To the Father:
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit; as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen. (1 Timothy 1:17)
Decades - The Luminous Mediations
Step 6
The First Meditation:
The Baptism of Jesus in the River Jordon - Matthew 3:13-17
Meditative Fruit: Openness to the Holy Spirit
Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. But John tried to deter him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?”
Jesus replied, “Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.” Then John consented.
As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”
On the first rosary bead, pray the Our Father - Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. Amen.
On each of the next ten beads, pray the Jesus Prayer x10 - Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy upon me, a sinner.
On the next large bead, pray a Glory Be To The Father - Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit; as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen.
Step 7
The Second Meditation:
The Wedding Feast at Cana - Luke 24:50-53
Meditative Fruit: Paths to Jesus
When he had led them out to the vicinity of Bethany, he lifted up his hands and blessed them. While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up into heaven. Then they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy. And they stayed continually at the temple, praising God.
On the first rosary bead, pray the Our Father - Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. Amen.
On each of the next ten beads, pray the Jesus Prayer x10 - Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy upon me, a sinner.
On the next large bead, pray a Glory Be To The Father - Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit; as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen.
Step 8
The Third Meditation:
The Proclamation of the Kingdom - Mark 1:14-15
Meditative Fruit: Repentance and Trust in God
After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God. “The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!”
On the first rosary bead, pray the Our Father - Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. Amen.
On each of the next ten beads, pray the Jesus Prayer x10 - Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy upon me, a sinner.
On the next large bead, pray a Glory Be To The Father - Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit; as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen.
Step 9
The Forth Meditation:
The Transfiguration - Mark 9:2-8
Meditative Fruit: Desire for Holiness
After six days Jesus took Peter, James and John with him and led them up a high mountain, where they were all alone. There he was transfigured before them. His clothes became dazzling white, whiter than anyone in the world could bleach them. And there appeared before them Elijah and Moses, who were talking with Jesus.
Peter said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” (He did not know what to say, they were so frightened.)
Then a cloud appeared and covered them, and a voice came from the cloud: “This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him!”
Suddenly, when they looked around, they no longer saw anyone with them except Jesus.
On the first rosary bead, pray the Our Father - Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. Amen.
On each of the next ten beads, pray the Jesus Prayer x10 - Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy upon me, a sinner.
On the next large bead, pray a Glory Be To The Father - Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit; as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen.
Step 10
The Fifth Meditation:
The Institution of the Eucharist - Mark 14:22-25
Meditative Fruit: Adoration
While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take it; this is my body.”
Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, and they all drank from it.
“This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many,” he said to them. “Truly I tell you, I will not drink again from the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.”
On the first rosary bead, pray the Our Father - Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. Amen.
On each of the next ten beads, pray the Jesus Prayer x10 - Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy upon me, a sinner.
On the next large bead, pray a Glory Be To The Father - Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit; as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen.
Closing Prayers
Step 11
Pre-Trent Hail Mary, a part of the Magnificat, or Martin Luther’s Evangelical praise of the Mother of God (or all three)
Pre-Trent Hail Mary
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus Christ. Amen. (Luke 1:42)
The Magnificat
“My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me—holy is his name. His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation. He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble. He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty. He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful to Abraham and his descendants forever, just as he promised our ancestors.” (Luke 1: 46b-55 NIV)
Martin Luther’s Evangelical Praise of the Mother of God
O Blessed Virgin, Mother of God, what great comfort God has shown us in you, by so graciously regarding your unworthiness and low estate. This encourages us to believe that henceforth He will not despise us poor and lowly ones, but graciously regard us also, according to your example. Amen
Step 12
End with The Sign of the Cross
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Daily Readings
Bible in a Year
Revised Common Lectionary
Daily scripture readings that include OT, Psalms, and NT - dailyLectio.net