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Prayer Before Work

Actiones nostras

The Prayer Before Work is the traditional Latin collect Actiones nostras, long preserved in the Roman liturgical tradition and in Catholic manuals of prayer. Its human author is not known. The Church has used it to ask God to precede every good action with grace and to bring it to completion. Catholics pray it before beginning the day's duties, study, apostolic service, household tasks, or any serious undertaking. Its words express dependence on divine inspiration and assistance, while offering both prayer and work to God. It is especially fitting at the start of a workday or before an important task.

Direct, we beseech Thee, O Lord, our actions by Thy holy inspirations, and carry them on by Thy gracious assistance, that every prayer and work of ours may always begin from Thee, and by Thee be happily ended. Amen.
In Latin

Actiones nostras, quaesumus, Domine, aspirando praeveni et adiuvando prosequere: ut cuncta nostra oratio et operatio a te semper incipiat, et per te coepta finiatur. Per Christum Dominum nostrum. Amen.

When to pray it: Pray it before beginning work, study, daily duties, or any important undertaking.

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