One of Mother Teresa’s most famous prayers is the “Radiating Christ” prayer, which she often recited during her daily meditations. This prayer sums up the essence of her spirituality, which was based on living a life of love and service to others. The prayer goes as follows:
“Dear Jesus, help me to spread your fragrance everywhere I go. Flood my soul with your spirit and life. Penetrate and possess my whole being so utterly that all my life may only be a radiance of yours. Shine through me and be so in me that every soul I come in contact with may feel your presence in my soul. Let them look up and see no longer me but only Jesus. Stay with me and then I shall begin to shine as you shine, so to shine as to be a light to others.”
This prayer reflects the deep humility and sense of surrender that Mother Teresa embodied in her life. She sought to be a vessel for Christ’s love and compassion, letting his light shine through her to bring hope and healing to those who were suffering. For her, prayer was not just a personal practice but a means of connecting with God and aligning herself with his will.
Another prayer that Mother Teresa was known to recite frequently was the “Flying Novena,” a nine-day prayer that she believed could accomplish miracles. This prayer, which she learned from the Venerable Matt Talbot, an Irish ascetic, was a quick and simple way to ask for God’s help in times of need. The prayer goes as follows:
“Immaculate Heart of Mary, pray for me now and at the hour of my death.”
Mother Teresa would often recite this prayer nine times in a row, hence the name “Flying Novena.” She believed that this prayer was particularly effective in bringing about speedy and miraculous solutions to problems.
In addition to these prayers, Mother Teresa often recited the Rosary, a traditional Catholic devotion that involves meditating on the life of Jesus and the Virgin Mary. She saw the Rosary as a powerful tool in bringing about peace and healing in the world and often encouraged others to pray it with her. In her book “Come Be My Light,” which compiles her letters and diary entries, she wrote about the role of prayer in her life, saying:
“Prayer is not asking. Prayer is putting oneself in the hands of God, at his disposition, and listening to his voice in the depth of our hearts.”
For Mother Teresa, prayer was not just a way of asking for blessings or saying words to God; it was a way of surrendering to his will and listening to his voice within her. Her prayers were a reflection of her deep faith and her unshakeable commitment to serving others. Even after her death, her prayers continue to inspire people around the world to seek God’s presence in their lives and to work for the good of others.
In conclusion, Mother Teresa’s prayers were an essential part of her spiritual practice and her mission of serving the poor. Her deep faith and devotion to God guided her throughout her life, and her prayers were a means of connecting with him and listening to his will. From the “Radiating Christ” prayer to the “Flying Novena,” her prayers reflected her deep humility and her commitment to serving others. Today, her prayers continue to inspire people of all faiths to seek God’s presence in their lives and to work for the betterment of the world.