Mother Teresa wrote a prayer that all families should know…

Click HERE to get a coloring download of this beautiful prayer!

Mother Teresa, while famous for bringing Christ to the poorest of the poor in Calcutta, was also gifted with words. When you find verified, actual words from her life, you will be floored by her simple wisdom.

For instance, sit and ponder this with your morning coffee: “Holiness is not the luxury of the few; it is a simple duty—for you and for me.”

Wow. Just wow. But that’s not all.

We found this awesome prayer for families written by Mother Teresa. We love how positive and joyful it is, yet how it encourages the family to persevere through hard times!

Mother Teresa once said (yes, we double-checked!):

“Let us love one another as God loves each of us. And where does this love begin? In your own home. How does it begin? By praying together.”

Her prayer for families is a great way to jump-start devotion and a spirit of service in your home (or reinvigorate it)! And we have a few ideas for helping you incorporate the prayer into your family life.

Mother Teresa’s prayer would be perfect for the whole family to memorize! Some families like to pick a prayer to learn by heart each Lent–perhaps this one, this year?

You could also use it during morning prayer or night prayer, or even before lunchtime.

Or perhaps, if you’re like us and have little to no downtime, frame the prayer in a spot everyone can see. Kids will gradually become familiar with the words by seeing it every day!

Finally, consider incorporating the prayer while using the Works of Mercy coloring book (for the littlest) and companion book (for the readers); it’s a great way to introduce the concepts of service and Christ-like love to kids!

Here’s the prayer:

Heavenly Father,
you have given us the model of life
in the Holy Family of Nazareth.
Help us, O Loving Father,
to make our family another Nazareth
where love, peace and joy reign.
May it be deeply contemplative,
intensely Eucharistic,
revived with joy.

Help us to stay together in joy
and sorrow in family prayer.
Teach us to see Jesus in the members of our families,
especially in their distressing disguise.
May the Eucharistic heart of Jesus
make our hearts humble like His
and help us to carry out our family duties
in a holy way.

May we love one another
as God loves each one of us,
more and more each day,
and forgive each other’s faults
as you forgive our sins.
Help us, O Loving Father,
to take whatever you give
and give whatever you take with a big smile.

Immaculate Heart of Mary,
cause of our joy, pray for us.

St. Joseph, pray for us.

Holy Guardian Angels,
be always with us,
guide and protect us.

Amen.

Want to learn more about Mother Teresa and her life? And hear more of her actual words?

Then you should get our Glory Stories CD “The Gospel on Five Fingers” which will inspire your children through her true-life story–because the story was reviewed, edited, and approved by the Missionaries of Charity! The author of the story sat down in the kitchen with a group of Mother Teresa’s sisters to get the words which they thought children should hear! We received a sweet letter from Mother Nirmala (who served as Mother Superior after Mother Teresa died) approving our story and telling us of her prayers for us. Listen to her Glory Story (CD or MP3) or get the Saint Teresa of Calcutta Coloring Download on our website.

May God bless you!