Father Pio believed that prayer was essential to living a life of purpose and fulfillment. He often spoke about the importance of spending time in prayer each day, and encouraged others to make it a regular habit. He believed that prayer was a way to connect with God, to seek guidance and wisdom, and to experience feelings of peace and contentment.
One of Father Pio’s most famous morning prayers is the one he wrote himself. It is called the “Prayer for Daily Neglects,” and it is a powerful reminder that we are all imperfect and in need of God’s grace. The prayer goes like this:
“Eternal Father, I offer You the Sacred Heart of Jesus, with all its love, all its sufferings, and all its merits. First, to expiate all the sins I have committed this day and during all my life. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.”
This prayer is a powerful way to start the day, as it acknowledges our weaknesses and asks for forgiveness and guidance from God. It reminds us that we are not perfect, but that we can always strive to be better and to live our lives in accordance with God’s will.
Another morning prayer that Father Pio often recited was the “Angelus.” This prayer is traditionally said at 6:00 AM, 12:00 PM, and 6:00 PM, and it is a way to honor the Incarnation and to give thanks for God’s love and salvation. The prayer goes like this:
“The Angel of the Lord declared to Mary: And she conceived of the Holy Spirit.
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
Behold the handmaid of the Lord: Be it done unto me according to Thy word.
Hail Mary…
And the Word was made Flesh: And dwelt among us.
Hail Mary…
Pray for us, O Holy Mother of God, that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Let us pray: Pour forth, we beseech Thee, O Lord, Thy grace into our hearts; that we, to whom the Incarnation of Christ, Thy Son, was made known by the message of an angel, may by His Passion and Cross be brought to the glory of His Resurrection. Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.”
The “Angelus” is a beautiful prayer that reminds us of God’s love and mercy, and of the sacrifice that Jesus made for our salvation. It is a way to start the day with a grateful heart and a deep appreciation for the blessings in our lives.
Finally, Father Pio also recommended reciting the Psalms as a way to begin each day. The Psalms are a collection of prayers and hymns that express a range of human emotions and experiences. They are a powerful way to connect with God and to seek comfort and guidance during difficult times. Father Pio particularly recommended Psalm 23, which is a beautiful affirmation of God’s love and protection:
“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.”
In conclusion, Father Pio’s morning prayers are a powerful way to start the day with gratitude, humility, and faith. These prayers remind us of God’s love and mercy, and of our own imperfections and need for forgiveness. Whether we recite the “Prayer for Daily Neglects,” the “Angelus,” the Psalms, or another prayer, we can all benefit from taking time each morning to connect with God and seek guidance for the day ahead.