If you haven’t heard yet, Marian Mindset is hosting a 5-day online prayer retreat from September 8–12 — Mother, Teach Us to Pray.

Together, we’ll walk through the five forms of prayer taught in the Catechism, with each day led by a different speaker from a Catholic brand you already know and love. You’ll learn simple, doable ways to deepen your prayer life — even in the middle of your busiest days.

The best part? It’s completely free to attend — and if you want even more, our two VIP packages give you lifetime access to all the talks, an audio playlist for on-the-go listening, and bonus resources to help you pray long after the retreat ends.

With the VIP Experience Box, you’ll even receive a beautiful package delivered right to your door — filled with hand-picked Catholic goods and prayer tools to make the retreat feel tangible, memorable, and a little bit like Christmas morning.

Get all the details and save your spot!

The Blank Mind in Prayer

You finally sit down to pray. The house is quiet. You close your eyes, take a deep breath…

…and your mind goes completely blank. Or worse, the only things that come to mind are the 15 worries you’ve been trying not to think about all day. You start with “Dear Lord…” and then… nothing. You feel frustrated, maybe even a little guilty. And after a few awkward seconds, you move on, thinking, I’ll try again later.

If this is you, you’re not alone. Even the disciples—who walked with Jesus Himself—had to ask Him, “Lord, teach us to pray” (Luke 11:1). The good news? God has already given us a treasury of words to pray when our own run dry: Scripture.

Why Scripture Is a Prayer Resource

Scripture isn’t just a record of things God once said — it is His living, breathing Word, spoken to you today. Hebrews 4:12 tells us, “The word of God is living and active,” meaning it still carries His voice, His presence, and His power.

When we pray Scripture, we’re doing something profound: we are taking God’s own words and offering them back to Him. It’s like a child repeating a phrase they’ve learned from a loving parent — the meaning may deepen over time, but the connection is immediate and real. This is not a new or unusual idea. 

In fact, it’s woven all throughout salvation history:

• The Psalms are essentially God’s prayer book for His people — divinely inspired words given to be prayed right back to Him in joy, grief, praise, and repentance.
• Mary’s Magnificat in Luke 1 is steeped in Old Testament language. Her spontaneous praise flowed out of the Scripture she knew by heart.
• Jesus Himself prayed Scripture — in the wilderness, in His teaching, and even from the cross (“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” from Psalm 22).
  

Praying Scripture does three powerful things:

1. It roots your prayer in truth: You never have to wonder if you’re “saying it right” — you’re praying the very words God has already declared.
2. It expands your vocabulary with God: Over time, you’ll gain new ways to express joy, gratitude, sorrow, repentance, and hope.
3. It shapes your heart to match His will: As you speak His Word, His Word begins to reshape your thoughts, desires, and perspective.
   

When you feel stuck in prayer, Scripture is like a bridge — taking you from silence or uncertainty straight into meaningful, Spirit-filled conversation with God.

Start With the Psalms

If the Bible is a library, the Psalms are its well-worn prayer book — the section you keep coming back to because it somehow always speaks to exactly where you are. They hold every human emotion: joy that bubbles over, grief so heavy you can barely speak, deep trust, raw fear, righteous anger, quiet contentment, and hope that refuses to die.

The beauty of the Psalms is that they give you permission to bring your whole heart before God — not just the polished, “Sunday-ready” parts. When you don’t know what to say, you can borrow the words of David, Asaph, or the other psalmists who poured out their souls centuries ago… and discover that those words still fit your life today.

How to use the Psalms in prayer:

1. Read a Psalm slowly, out loud if you can. Hearing the words helps them sink deeper and slows you down enough to notice details.
2. Linger on a phrase that stands out. When a verse feels like it’s glowing on the page or tugging at your attention, stop there. That’s often the Holy Spirit inviting you to stay with it.
3. Rewrite it in your own words. Take the truth of that verse and put it into the language of your own heart and circumstances.
   

Example: Psalm 23:1 — “The Lord is my shepherd.”

Your prayer: “Lord, shepherd me today. Guide my steps when I’m unsure, protect my heart when fear creeps in, and lead me where You want me to go — even if it’s not where I planned.”

You can also:

• Pray an entire Psalm straight through as your prayer for the day.
• Personalize the pronouns (“The Lord is Sarah’s shepherd… He leads her beside still waters…”).
• Turn it into a breath prayer, repeating one short line throughout the day (“You are my shepherd… You are my shepherd…”).
  

Over time, you’ll find the Psalms becoming part of your own vocabulary with God — ready to rise up in moments of joy, in the middle of the night, or in the middle of a crisis.

Pray Jesus’ Words

The Gospels are full of prayers straight from the lips of Jesus — words that reveal His heart, His trust in the Father, and His love for us. We hear Him teach us how to pray in the Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6:9–13), giving us a model that has shaped Christian prayer for centuries. We watch Him lift His eyes to heaven in John 17, interceding for His disciples — and for us — with tenderness and urgency. We see Him kneel in the Garden of Gethsemane, sweating drops of blood, pouring out His anguish while fully surrendering to the Father’s will.

When we pray with His words, we’re not just reciting something ancient — we’re aligning our hearts with His. We let His love, humility, and faith become the pattern for our own prayers.

Example: From the Lord’s Prayer: “Your will be done.”

Your prayer: “Father, help me want what You want today — even when I don’t understand it, even when it costs me. Teach me to trust that Your will is always better than my plans.”

You can also:

• Pray Jesus’ intercession in John 17 for your family, friends, or Church.
• Echo His words from the cross — “Father, into Your hands I commend my spirit” — when you feel afraid or uncertain.
• Repeat His Gethsemane prayer — “Not my will, but Yours be done” — in moments of decision or surrender.

Over time, these words will become like well-worn paths in your heart, helping you instinctively walk toward the Father with the same trust and obedience Jesus had.

Use Promises as Petitions

Scripture is full of God’s promises — declarations of who He is, what He has done, and what He will do. These aren’t just poetic lines or ancient history; they are living truths, meant to steady our hearts and give us hope in every season.

When we turn these promises into prayers, we’re doing two things at once:

1. Reminding ourselves of His faithfulness — bringing to mind all the ways He has kept His word in the past.
2. Anchoring ourselves in hope — choosing to trust that He will continue to be faithful in the present and the future.
   

Example: Isaiah 26:3 — “You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are stayed on You.”

Your prayer: “Lord, keep my mind fixed on You today. When distractions or anxieties try to pull me away, remind me of Your presence. Fill me with Your perfect peace right in the middle of this busy day.”

Why it works: When you pray a promise, you’re not trying to convince God to do something against His will. You’re aligning your heart with what He already wants to give you. It’s like opening your hands to receive a gift He’s been holding out all along.

Other examples you could pray:

• Philippians 4:19 — “My God will fully satisfy every need of yours according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” → “Lord, I trust You to meet my needs today — not just physically, but emotionally and spiritually, too.”
• Psalm 32:8 — “I will instruct you and teach you the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you.” → “Guide me today, Lord. Help me notice Your direction and follow it without fear.”
• James 1:5 — “If any of you is lacking in wisdom, ask God… and it will be given you.” → “Father, I need Your wisdom right now. Show me the next right step.”
  

When you pray God’s promises, you can be sure you are praying in step with His heart.

Let a Verse Become Your Breath Prayer

Sometimes the most powerful prayers aren’t long or elaborate — they’re short, simple, and so familiar you can whisper them without thinking. This is where breath prayers come in.

A breath prayer is just what it sounds like: a short line or verse from Scripture that you can pray in a single breath, over and over, throughout your day. They’re especially powerful because they:

• Fit into any moment — you can pray them in the car, while folding laundry, waiting in the pickup line, or walking into a hard conversation.
• Anchor your heart — each repetition draws your focus back to God, no matter what’s swirling around you.
• Form a habit of constant prayer — instead of prayer being one isolated block of time, it becomes woven into the fabric of your day.
  

Examples:

• “Be still and know that I am God.” (Psalm 46:10) — A reminder to pause and rest in His sovereignty.
• “The joy of the Lord is my strength.” (Nehemiah 8:10) — A steadying truth when you feel drained or discouraged.
• “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.” — The ancient Jesus Prayer, prayed for centuries by Christians around the world.
  

How to start:

1. Pick one verse or phrase that speaks to your current season.
2. Write it on a sticky note, set it as your phone background, or post it on your fridge.
3. Each time you notice it — or each time you take a deep breath — pray it slowly, letting the words sink in.
   

Over time, breath prayers become almost reflexive. In moments of joy, frustration, or fear, you’ll find the words rising to the surface, drawing you back into God’s presence again and again.

Overcoming Common Obstacles

Even when you want to pray with Scripture, you might hit a few roadblocks. Here are some common ones — and gentle ways through them:

1. “It feels awkward to read someone else’s words.”
It can feel strange at first to pray using words you didn’t come up with yourself. But remember—you’re stepping into a prayer tradition as old as the Church itself. For thousands of years, God’s people have prayed the Psalms, repeated the Lord’s Prayer, and recited Scriptures together. You’re not just reading; you’re joining your voice with the saints, prophets, and even Jesus Himself.

2. “I’m not sure which verse to pick.”
If you don’t know where to start, let the Church’s rhythm guide you. Use the day’s Mass readings — they’re already prayerfully chosen to walk us through salvation history. Or turn to the Psalms, the Bible’s own prayer book. You can also pick a verse that speaks directly to your current season — peace in stress, courage in uncertainty, joy in gratitude.

3. “I lose focus.”
It’s completely normal for your mind to wander. When it happens, don’t scold yourself — simply notice it and gently return to the verse. Keep your Scripture prayer short so it’s easy to remember, and come back to it throughout the day. Think of it as a conversation with a friend — it’s okay if you pause and pick it back up again.

Ready to Go Deeper

If you’re longing for a prayer life that feels steady, alive, and woven into your real, everyday moments — you’re not alone. And you don’t have to figure it out by yourself.

In our upcoming Mother, Teach Us to Pray retreat, we’ll spend five days walking together through simple but powerful ways to pray — exploring the five forms of prayer from the Catechism: blessing, petition, intercession, thanksgiving, and praise.

Each day will be led by a different speaker from a prominent Catholic brand you already know and love, sharing both spiritual wisdom and practical tools you can use right away. 

The best part? It’s completely free to attend — and if you want even more, our two VIP packages give you lifetime access to all the talks, an audio playlist for on-the-go listening, and bonus resources to help you pray long after the retreat ends.

With the VIP Experience Box, you’ll even receive a beautiful package delivered right to your door — filled with hand-picked Catholic goods and prayer tools to make the retreat feel tangible, memorable, and a little bit like Christmas morning.