Praying With Mary: Our Guide to a Life of Prayer

Wondering how praying with Mary can be our guide to a life of prayer?

Mary’s life was a prayer from the moment of the Annunciation to her Assumption into heaven. She exemplifies the ideal of living in perfect union with God, and by studying her life, we can learn how to make our own lives a prayer.

In this article, we will explore some key aspects of Mary’s prayerful life and how we can imitate her.

Guide to A Life of Prayer

From the moment she accepted God’s will with a humble “yes” at the Annunciation, to her contemplative moments of reflection and trust throughout her life, Mary showed us that prayer isn’t just about words—it’s about the posture of the heart:

Her life was a continuous dialogue with God, a blend of listening, trusting, and responding. In this first step toward living a prayerful life, we can learn from Mary’s unwavering devotion and openness to God’s presence.

The Annunciation: Mary’s “Yes” to God’s Will

At the Annunciation (Luke 1:26–38) RSVCE, when the Angel Gabriel announced that Mary was to become the Mother of God, her response was one of total submission and openness to God’s will:

²⁶  In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, ²⁷ to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary. ²⁸ And he came to her and said, “Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with you!” ²⁹ But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and considered in her mind what sort of greeting this might be. ³⁰ And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. ³¹ And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus.

³² He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High;

and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David,

³³ and he will reign over the house of Jacob for ever;

and of his kingdom there will be no end.”

³⁴ And Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I have no husband?” ³⁵ And the angel said to her,

“The Holy Spirit will come upon you,

and the power of the Most High will overshadow you;

therefore the child to be born will be called holy,

the Son of God.

³⁶ And behold, your kinswoman Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son; and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. ³⁷ For with God nothing will be impossible.” ³⁸ And Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.

Her words, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word” (Luke 1:38), are the ultimate prayer of trust and surrender.

Mary teaches us that making our lives a prayer begins with saying “yes” to God’s plan, even when it is difficult or unclear. Like Mary, we are called to place our trust in God’s will and to allow His plan to unfold in our lives. This trust turns our daily actions and choices into a living prayer, because we are offering our lives in service to God’s greater purpose.

Practical Tip: Pray the Angelus

One way to imitate Mary’s “yes” and remind ourselves to live with openness to God’s will is by praying the Angelus. This prayer, traditionally recited three times a day (morning, noon, and evening), recalls the moment of the Annunciation and invites us to reflect on Mary’s response of faith. It can serve as a powerful reminder to pause throughout the day and align our hearts with God’s will.

The Magnificat: A Prayer of Praise and Trust

After the Annunciation, Mary visits her cousin Elizabeth, and in their encounter, Mary prays the Magnificat (Luke 1:46–55). This beautiful canticle is an expression of her deep faith and trust in God. In it, she praises God for His mercy, His faithfulness to His promises, and His concern for the lowly:

⁴⁶  And Mary said,

“My soul magnifies the Lord,

⁴⁷ and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,

⁴⁸ for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant.

Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed;

⁴⁹ for the Mighty One has done great things for me,

and holy is his name.

⁵⁰ His mercy is for those who fear him

from generation to generation.

⁵¹ He has shown strength with his arm;

he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts.

⁵² He has brought down the powerful from their thrones,

and lifted up the lowly;

⁵³ he has filled the hungry with good things,

and sent the rich away empty.

⁵⁴ He has helped his servant Israel,

in remembrance of his mercy,

⁵⁵ according to the promise he made to our ancestors,

to Abraham and to his descendants forever.”

Mary’s Magnificat teaches us the importance of praising God in all circumstances. Recognizing God’s work turns simple moments into prayer. Cultivating gratitude, like Mary, helps us notice God’s presence in daily life.

Practical Tip: Offer Daily Praise

You can follow Mary’s example by starting or ending your day with a prayer of praise, like the Magnificat. Reflecting on God’s blessings and expressing gratitude helps you see each day as a gift. This turns your life into an ongoing conversation with God.

Mary at the Foot of the Cross: Offering Suffering in Union with Christ

Mary’s presence at the foot of the Cross (John 19:25–27) is one of the most powerful examples of how she made her life a prayer. As she witnessed her Son’s suffering and death, Mary united her own sorrow with His, offering it in a spirit of deep love and surrender.

The Church teaches that Mary’s participation in the Passion of Christ, often referred to as her “spiritual martyrdom,” is a profound example of how we can offer our sufferings as a prayer. Just as Mary stood by Jesus in His agony, we are called to unite our own sufferings with His, trusting that God can bring redemption out of pain.

Practical Tip: Ask for Mary’s Intercession in Suffering

When facing difficulties, trials, or pain, we can turn to Mary, who knows what it means to suffer. Asking for her intercession can help us bear our crosses with greater patience and trust in God’s plan. A simple prayer, such as “Mary, Mother of Sorrows, pray for me,” can remind us that we are not alone in our suffering and that, like Mary, we can offer it to God as a prayer.

The Rosary: A Living Prayer with Mary

One of the most beloved and powerful forms of prayer in the Catholic tradition is the Rosary. The Rosary invites us to meditate on the mysteries of Christ’s life, death, and resurrection through the eyes of Mary. Each decade of the Rosary allows us to reflect on a specific event in salvation history, helping us to see how God’s plan unfolds and inviting us to offer our own lives in response.

Praying the Rosary is more than a vocal prayer; it is a way to enter into deeper communion with Jesus through Mary. As Pope St. John Paul II said, “To recite the Rosary is nothing other than to contemplate with Mary the face of Christ.” In this way, the Rosary becomes a powerful tool for making our lives a prayer, as it leads us to meditate on Christ’s life and to imitate the virtues of Mary.

Practical Tip: Pray the Rosary Daily

Praying the Rosary regularly—whether daily or even just a decade at a time—helps us stay rooted in prayer throughout the day. By meditating on the mysteries of Christ’s life, we can grow closer to Him and invite His grace into our daily actions. You can offer each Rosary for a specific intention, such as for your family, for peace, or for a personal need, thus making it a part of your life’s prayer.

The Immaculate Heart of Mary: A Heart Completely for God

The devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary focuses on her pure and sinless heart, fully devoted to God. Mary’s Immaculate Heart represents her interior life—her thoughts, feelings, and desires—all of which were centered on loving God and doing His will.

We are called to imitate Mary’s Immaculate Heart by striving for purity of heart, which means aligning our desires, thoughts, and actions with God’s will. When our hearts are focused on loving God and others, like Mary’s was, our entire lives become an expression of prayer.

Practical Tip: Consecrate Yourself to the Immaculate Heart of Mary

Consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary is a beautiful way to entrust your life to Mary’s maternal care and guidance. By consecrating yourself to her Immaculate Heart, you are asking Mary to help you grow closer to Jesus and to live in greater conformity with His will. This act of consecration can transform your life into a prayer as you seek to imitate Mary’s love and obedience to God.

33 Days to Morning Glory (affiliate), is a beautiful companion guide that walks you through Marian Consecration:

From Fr. Michael E. Gaitley, MIC, author of the bestselling book Consoling the Heart of Jesus (affiliate), comes an extraordinary 33-day journey to Marian consecration with four giants of Marian spirituality: St. Louis de Montfort, St. Maximilian Kolbe, St. Teresa of Calcutta, and St. John Paul II. 

Conclusion: Mary: The Model of Prayerful Living

Mary, the Mother of Jesus, is not only our model of living a prayerful life but also our intercessor and guide. By following her example of trust, praise, suffering, and devotion, we can learn how to make our own lives a continuous prayer. Whether it’s through imitating her “yes” to God’s will, praying the Rosary, offering up our sufferings, or consecrating ourselves to her Immaculate Heart, Mary leads us to a deeper relationship with Jesus.

By turning to Mary in prayer and asking for her intercession, we can grow in holiness and learn how to make every moment of our lives a prayer, just as she did.

Personal Reflection

There have been times in my life when I felt utterly lost—spiritually desolate, disconnected from God, and overwhelmed by darkness. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t feel His presence. It was as if a heavy fog had settled around me, and no matter what prayers I offered, they seemed to fall into an empty silence.

I can’t fully explain it, but I have felt Mary leading me—almost imperceptibly—back to Jesus. It was as though she was showing me the way, holding my hand, guiding me back into the light of His love.

I’ve come to understand that, even in our darkest moments, Mary is always there—waiting, watching, and ready to lead us back home.

Does this sound like you? Mary is there, waiting for you to reach out your hand and call upon her. Mary promises: “For never was it known that anyone who invoked your help, sought your intercession, or implored your aid was left unaided.”

This powerful line comes from the Memorare, a prayer that expresses the deep trust we place in Mary’s motherly care. It reminds us that, throughout history, no one who has turned to Mary in faith and hope has ever been abandoned. Her role as our compassionate and loving Mother means that she is always ready to help those who reach out to her, no matter how dark or desperate the situation. In moments of spiritual desolation, when we feel abandoned or lost, we can take comfort in this promise—Mary will never leave us unaided.

Mary, Mother of the Eucharist, Pray For Us. 🌹