Example Prayers

If you are struggling to create a prayer for someone, it is important to know that the words you recite aren’t what make the prayer, but rather the intent, honesty and heart that is poured into the prayer are what makes it. However, below their are examples of prayers that can be used for inspiration to construct you own or to be used to pray for those who are in purgatory

“Prayers could, of course, make my rhyme shorter here: prayers from a heart that lives in grace—the rest are worthless, for they go unheard in Heaven!” — Purgatorio, Dante Alighieri

Eternal Rest

Eternal rest grant unto them,

Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord,
and let perpetual light shine upon them.
May the souls of the faithful departed,
through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.

(If you wish to use this prayer replace “them” with the person you wish to pray for)

Raccolta Indulgenced Prayer for the Poor Souls

O Lord God, who by the glorious resurrection
of Your Son Jesus Christ
didst destroy death and didst restore life,
grant, we beseech Thee,
to the souls of the faithful departed
that they may be delivered from all evil,
and, by the help of pious supplications,
may come to the glory of the resurrection.
Through Christ Our Lord. Amen.

(If you wish to use this prayer replace “souls of the faithful departed” with the person you wish to pray for)

Roman Missal Prayer for the Faithful Departed

Almighty and merciful God,
by whose gift your faithful offer you
right and praiseworthy service,
grant that we may be so devoted to you in love
as to be active in helping the souls in purgatory
through our prayers, works, almsgiving,
and the offering of the holy sacrifice of the Mass.
Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

(If you wish to use this prayer replace “souls in purgatory” with the person you wish to pray for)