Prayers for Hope
Hope in Catholic teaching is a virtue to be practiced, not a mood to be waited for — which is why the Church gives it a prayer. The Act of Hope is short enough to say when hoping feels impossible.
Traditional prayers
Act of Hope
and infinite mercy and promises,
I hope to obtain pardon of my sins,
the help of thy grace,
and life everlasting,
through the merits of Jesus Christ,
my Lord and Redeemer. Amen.
From Scripture
13Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing: that you may abound in hope and in the power of the Holy Ghost.
— Romans 15, vv. 13, Douay-Rheims · read the full chapter
11For I know the thoughts that I think towards you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of affliction, to give you an end and patience.
— Jeremiah 29, vv. 11, Douay-Rheims · read the full chapter
12Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why dost thou disquiet me? Hope thou in God, for I will still give praise to him: the salvation of my countenance, and my God.
— Psalm 41 (42), vv. 12, Douay-Rheims · read the full chapter
Psalm numbers follow the Douay-Rheims (Vulgate) numbering; the common Hebrew numbering appears in parentheses.
Pray a novena
How to use these prayers
Say the Act of Hope every morning for a week before deciding whether it works.