Saint Mary's Press: Touching the Hearts of Teens; Catholic Publisher

This prayer can be used during the first week of Lent or any time the sacrament of Reconciliation (also called the sacrament of Penance) is discussed or celebrated.

The attacks of September 11 were a horrible tragedy . . . Article (328)

Back to School: Intentions for the Start of the School Year Article (417)

These petitions could be incorporated into a prayer service or opening liturgy.

Back to School: Prayer for the Start of the School Year Article (416)

Call your students to prayer with this prayer guide.

Be At Peace Among Yourselves Article (363)

This reflection from My Dear Young Friends: Pope John Paul II Speaks to Teens on Life, Love, and Courage is about peacemaking.

Be Reconciled Article (306)

This opening prayer reminds us that God calls us to be reconcilers and representatives of Christ.

Burdened with Sin Article (304)

God, we do wrong in a million ways, some small and some large.

Dear God, I want to pray for all those people who . . . Article (317)

Dear Lord, Thank you for being with us this day . . . Article (315)

December 06: Feast of Saint Nicholas Article (432)

This prayer is taken from Good News, Day by Day: Bible Reflections for Teens. It introduces young people to Saint Nicholas whose feast day is December 6.

December 12: The Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe Article (434)

This prayer is taken from Good News, Day by Day: Bible Reflections for Teens and introduces young people to Our Lady of Guadalupe.

Disciple's Prayer Article (478)

This prayer can be used with young people to help them reflect on their own call to be bearers of Christ's light.

Do Not Judge Article (303)

This gathering prayer is about opening hearts and putting aside biases.

Epiphany: Following the Star Article (443)

This Lectionary-based prayer reflection can be used with teens or adults to celebrate the Epiphany.

Every Day Things Occur in This World That Shake My Faith Article (381)

This prayer by two young teenagers asks for help remembering that God has a greater plan.

February 14: Saint Valentine's Day Article (447)

This prayer helps young people celebrate God's love and Saint Valentine's day.

February 18: Presidents Day Article (448)

This prayer helps youth celebrate the founder of the United States, George Washington.

For the innocent, that they may gain their angel wings . . . . Article (326)

God, I would like to pray that joy can overcome sadness . . . . Article (319)

Hear the Cries of the Victims of Violence Article (383)

This prayer by teenager Anne Augstine is about bringing peace to victims of violence and preventing or helping those who commit it.

Help Me Article (364)

This prayer from a teenager asks for help dealing with anger and tough times.

Holy Father, We sincerely pray . . . Article (325)

Innocence was bliss . . . Article (327)

January 22: Reflection on Roe vs. Wade Article (444)

This poem, written by a high school student, is a reflection on the sanctity of life and tragedy of abortion as seen through the eyes of some of our great presidents.

Lectio Divina Article (398)

Making Scripture part of our lives is the task of every Christian. Here are some simple step to help the Word become enfleshed in you.

Lenten Nails: A Reflection Exercise for Lent Article (451)

This two-part reflection exercise allows the young teens to evaluate their behaviors and attitudes and admit their faults, throughout Lent. The exercise is introduced at the beginning of Lent and concludes before Easter.

The Liturgy Article (407)

By connecting young people more with the liturgy, we can see a growth in their Catholic identity.

Lord and lover of this world . . . Article (322)

Lord, help us not to blame . . . Article (324)

May the Lord have mercy on all our souls . . . Article (318)

Month of the Rosary: Our Lady of Perpetual Help Article (435)

This article is a reflection on the devotion to Our Lady of Perpetual Help.

My Heaven Article (384)

This poem by a young teen asks, "What if there were no hatred, no violence, no war?"

Prayer by a High School Senior Article (483)

This prayer, written by a high school senior, asks for God's strength and guidance in times of transition.

Prayer Service in Memory of Pope John Paul II Article (425)

This prayer service is to be used with youth to commemorate and celebrate the life of Pope John Paul II.

Prayers for Reflecting on Christ's Passion Article (465)

These prayers were developed to be used as a part of a larger process to prepare youth for seeing Mel Gibson's movieThe Passion of the Christ. However, they would be appropriate for prayer on Good Friday or for meditating on Christ's crucifixion.

Psalm 72 Article (379)

This adaptation of Psalm 72 by David Haas' book Prayers Before an Awesome Gode covers fairness, justice, peace, and compassion.

Save Me, O God Article (382)

Based on the beginning of Psalm 69, this prayer from a teenager asks for God for help with stress.

September 11: Dear God, Please comfort our nation . . . Article (314)

September 11: This Is How I Want to Remember the Twin Towers. Article (313)

My God; My God,
So much hate displayed in this moment's act,
It was hard for me to bear. . . .

The tragic events that took place on September 11 . . . Article (316)

Unbound! Article (455)

In this prayer, young people experience the message of forgiveness through a ritual of reconciliation. This strategy, which is ideal for a retreat or as a conclusion to a session on forgiveness, allows the participants to dramatically ritualize both the paralysis of sinfulness and the release brought about by reconciliation. This activity fits in well with Ash Wednesday and Good Friday themes.

We all have crosses to bear . . . . Article (320)

We pray for peace in our hearts . . . Article (321)

Why Is the World the Way It Is? Article (385)

This prayer by a teenage girl from Listen for a Whisper asks a lot of good questions, questions many teenagers face all the time.