Morris Clark
On June 29th, 2026, the Universal Church will celebrate the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul, Apostles—a feast of such ancient origin that it is mentioned in the oldest liturgical calendars of Rome. On this day, we honor the two great pillars of the Church: Peter, the fisherman who became the rock upon which Christ built His Church, and Paul, the persecutor who became the Apostle to the Gentiles.
Simon Peter came from obscurity in the village of Bethsaida, a humble fisherman with little education and no important social position. He was impulsive, often confused about Jesus’ teachings, and to his lasting shame, denied his Lord three times on the night of His arrest. Yet, Christ looked upon this imperfect man and saw the rock. “You are Peter,” Jesus declared, “and on this rock I will build my Church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it” (Matthew 16:18). After the Resurrection, Jesus restored him with a threefold commission: “Feed my lambs… Tend my sheep… Feed my sheep” (John 21:15-17).
St. Peter shows us that if we are open to the Holy Spirit, we will do great things—despite our weaknesses and mistakes. His life is a testament to the transforming power of grace and the merciful love of Christ.
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As we prepare for the great feast in 2026, let us turn to this prince of the Apostles, asking his intercession for the Church, for our Holy Father, the Pope, and for our own souls. Whether you are observing the traditional Apostles’ Fast leading up to June 29th or simply seeking to deepen your devotion, these 40 prayers will guide you through the rich tradition of honoring the Fisherman who became the Keeper of the Keys.
The Foundation of Devotion
These opening prayers establish our intention and invoke the intercession of the great Apostle for the Feast of 2026.
1. Opening Invocation for St. Peter’s Day 2026
Lord Jesus, You called Simon Peter from his fishing boat to become a fisher of men. You looked upon his weakness and saw strength; upon his impulsiveness and saw courage; upon his denial and saw repentance. As we prepare to celebrate his glorious feast in this year of grace 2026, draw us closer to this great Apostle, that through his intercession we may be confirmed in faith and strengthened in love. Amen.
2. Prayer for the Feast of Saints Peter and Paul 2026
Almighty God, whose blessed Apostles Peter and Paul glorified You by their martyrdom: grant that Your Church, instructed by their teaching and example, may ever stand firm on the one foundation, Jesus Christ Your Son, who is alive and reigns with You, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen .
3. The St. Peter Day Blessing 2026
May the blessing of St. Peter, Prince of the Apostles and Keeper of the Keys, descend upon you this day. May he who walked on water at the Lord’s command steady you in times of fear. May he who was restored after his denial obtain for you the grace of true repentance. May he who holds the keys of the kingdom open for you the gates of paradise. Amen.
4. Prayer to Imitate St. Peter’s Virtues
O glorious St. Peter, who didst pass from weakness to strength, from fear to courage, from denial to martyrdom, obtain for me the grace to imitate thy virtues. Give me thy faith to confess Christ boldly, thy zeal to follow Him faithfully, thy humility to repent sincerely, and thy love to lay down my life for Him who died for me. Amen.
The Litany of Saint Peter
This ancient litany may be prayed publicly or privately, invoking the various titles and virtues of the Prince of the Apostles.
Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us.
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God the Father of Heaven, have mercy on us.
God the Son, Redeemer of the world, have mercy on us.
God the Holy Ghost, have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, One God, have mercy on us.
5. Holy Mary, Queen of Apostles, pray for us.
6. St. Peter, Prince of the Apostles, pray for us.
7. St. Peter, called by Christ from thy fishing boat, pray for us.
8. St. Peter, who didst confess Jesus as the Christ, the Son of the living God, pray for us.
9. St. Peter, upon whom Christ built His Church, pray for us.
10. St. Peter, to whom were entrusted the keys of the kingdom, pray for us.
11. St. Peter, who didst walk upon the water at the Lord’s command, pray for us.
12. St. Peter, who wast rebuked for thinking not as God thinks but as men think, pray for us.
13. St. Peter, who didst witness the Transfiguration on Mount Tabor, pray for us.
14. St. Peter, who didst deny thy Lord three times and weep bitterly, pray for us.
15. St. Peter, restored by the Risen Christ with a threefold profession of love, pray for us.
16. St. Peter, commanded to feed the lambs and sheep of Christ, pray for us.
17. St. Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost at Pentecost, pray for us.
18. St. Peter, first to preach the Gospel to the Gentiles in the house of Cornelius, pray for us.
19. St. Peter, delivered from prison by an angel, pray for us.
20. St. Peter, who didst confirm the faith of the early Church, pray for us.
21. St. Peter, who didst write epistles of wisdom and hope, pray for us.
22. St. Peter, who didst suffer martyrdom in Rome, pray for us.
23. St. Peter, crucified upside down for love of Christ, pray for us.
24. St. Peter, whose relics are venerated in the Vatican Basilica, pray for us.
25. St. Peter, intercessor for all who hold authority in the Church, pray for us.
26. St. Peter, patron of fishermen, pray for us.
27. St. Peter, patron of penitent sinners, pray for us.
28. St. Peter, gatekeeper of heaven, pray for us.
Lamb of God, Who takes away the sins of the world, spare us, O Lord!
Lamb of God, Who takes away the sins of the world, graciously hear us, O Lord!
Lamb of God, Who takes away the sins of the world, have mercy on us!
℣. Thou art Peter,
℟. And upon this rock I will build My Church.
Let Us Pray:
O God, Who hast given unto Thy blessed Apostle Peter the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and the power of binding and loosing: grant that through his intercession we may be freed from the bonds of our sins. Who livest and reignest with God the Father, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen.
Prayers Inspired by Sacred Scripture
These prayers draw directly from the Gospel accounts of St. Peter’s life, allowing us to enter into the mysteries he shared with Christ.
29. Prayer for the Grace of Vocation (The Call of Peter)
Lord Jesus, as Thou didst walk by the Sea of Galilee and call Simon Peter to leave his nets and follow Thee, look upon me with the same merciful gaze. Thou knowest my hesitations, my attachments, my fears. Yet Thou dost call me still. Give me the grace to leave behind whatever keeps me from following Thee fully, and to trust that in losing my life for Thy sake, I shall find it. Amen .
30. Prayer for Faith in Storms (Peter Walking on Water)
Lord Jesus, when Peter saw the wind and the waves, he was afraid and began to sink. Yet in his fear, he cried out, “Lord, save me!” and immediately Thou didst stretch forth Thy hand to catch him. When the storms of life assail me and my faith falters, grant me the grace to cry out to Thee with the same simplicity. Stretch forth Thy hand, Lord, and save me. Let me never doubt that Thou art near. Amen.
31. Prayer for True Confession of Faith (Peter at Caesarea Philippi)
Lord Jesus, when Thou didst ask Thy disciples, “Who do you say that I am?” Peter answered with divine inspiration: “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Grant me, through the same grace of the Father, a firm and unwavering faith in Thy divinity. May I confess Thee before men with Peter’s boldness, and may my life bear witness to the truth that Thou art my Lord and my God. Amen .
32. Prayer for Humble Repentance (Peter’s Denial and Tears)
O merciful Lord, look upon me as Thou didst look upon Peter after his denial. That single glance of love pierced his heart and drew forth tears of bitter repentance. Grant me the gift of true contrition for my sins. May I never despair of Thy mercy, but like Peter, weep for my offenses and return to Thee with a humbled and contrite heart. St. Peter, who knowest the pain of denial and the joy of forgiveness, pray for me. Amen.
33. Prayer for Love of Christ (Peter’s Threefold Profession)
Risen Lord, who didst ask Peter three times, “Do you love me?”—matching the threefold denial with a threefold profession of love—hear my own poor response. Thou knowest all things; Thou knowest that I love Thee, though my love is so imperfect. Feed my soul with Thy grace, that I may love Thee more each day. And grant that this love may be shown not in words alone, but in the humble service of Thy lambs and sheep. Amen.
34. Prayer for Deliverance from Bondage (Peter Freed from Prison)
Lord God, who didst send Thine angel to free Peter from Herod’s prison, striking off his chains and leading him past the sleeping guards to safety, deliver me from the chains that bind my soul. Break the bonds of sin, of fear, of habit that hold me captive. Send Thy angel to lead me forth into the freedom of the children of God. St. Peter, who knew the joy of chains miraculously broken, pray for me. Amen.
Prayers for the Church and the Pope
St. Peter, as the first Pope, is the special patron of the papacy and the universal Church.
35. Prayer for the Holy Father
Lord Jesus, Thou didst choose Peter to be the rock upon which Thou wouldst build Thy Church. In Thy loving providence, Thou continues to govern and guide Thy flock through Peter’s successor, our Holy Father Pope (Name). Pour out upon him an abundance of the Holy Spirit’s gifts. Strengthen him in times of trial, console him in moments of loneliness, guide him in every decision, and protect him from all harm. May he, like Peter, confirm his brethren in the faith and lead the Church safely through the storms of this world. Amen.
36. Prayer for the Unity of the Church
St. Peter, Prince of the Apostles, thou who didst preside over the early Church in unity and love, intercede for the Body of Christ in our time. Heal the divisions that wound the Church and obscure her witness. Draw all who profess faith in Christ into that unity for which He prayed on the night before He died: “that they may all be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You.” May the See of Peter ever be the visible center and foundation of unity for all the faithful. Amen.
37. Prayer for Bishops and Pastors
O glorious St. Peter, who didst receive from Christ the command to feed His lambs and tend His sheep, intercede for all bishops and pastors who share in thy pastoral office. Grant them wisdom to guide, courage to defend, and compassion to heal. May they be true shepherds after the Heart of Christ, laying down their lives for their sheep and leading them to green pastures of eternal life. Amen.
38. Prayer for the Church’s Mission
St. Peter, first preacher of the Gospel to Jew and Gentile alike, obtain for the Church a new Pentecost of missionary zeal. Inspire the faithful to proclaim the Good News with boldness and love. Open doors for the Gospel in lands where Christ is not yet known. Strengthen those who suffer persecution for the faith, and grant that the Church may ever be faithful to her mandate to make disciples of all nations. Amen.
Prayers for Personal Needs
39. Prayer for Forgiveness and Restoration
Dear Jesus, please help me to recognize that I am worthy of Your love and the greatness that a relationship with You affords me. Help me to accept my rightful place as one of Your children. If Peter, a slightly obtuse man with unimpressive credentials, can come to know You intimately and become the rock of the Church, surely I too can know God and become a great follower of His way. St. Peter, pray for me, that I may never doubt God’s mercy or despair of His love. Amen.
40. Prayer for a Happy Death
O glorious St. Peter, who didst lay down thy life for Christ and now reign with Him in glory, obtain for me the grace of a holy and happy death. When my final hour comes, stand by me as thou didst stand by the early martyrs. Open for me the gates of the heavenly kingdom, to which thou holdest the keys, and lead me safely into the presence of my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. May I hear those blessed words: “Well done, good and faithful servant; enter into the joy of your Lord.” Amen.
Traditional Prayers from the Church’s Treasury
41. The Vatican Basilica Prayer to St. Peter
This prayer is recommended for those visiting the tomb of St. Peter or seeking his intercession from afar .
Lord Jesus,
You who called the Apostle Peter
to cast the nets of life
resting on Your Word,
and who after his denial, restored him in love,
help me to cast the nets of my life
trusting in Your Word,
and in the strength of Your merciful love.
In this holy place that conserves
the relics and the memory of the Apostle Peter,
confirm me in Your love.
Amen.
42. Ancient Prayer to St. Peter from English Tradition
This prayer is adapted from an ancient English devotional source.
St. Peter, senator of the heavenly palace, chief of the Apostles, with the other holy Apostles, open to me the gates of Paradise and block up the path that leads to hell.
By the merits of the college of Apostles may I find favor before God in heaven.
O all ye Saints, help me.
O all ye Saints, come to my aid.
O all ye Saints of God, intercede for me.
By your holy intercession may ye deign to reconcile me to God, the King of all ages, that with Him, the Prince of peace, clothed in the robe of immortality, my flesh may desire to rise in all the glory of the new life to reign with Him for ever in Heaven. Amen.
43. Prayer for the Day from the Feast of St. Peter
Almighty God, who inspired Your apostle Saint Peter to confess Jesus as Christ and Son of the living God: build up Your Church upon this rock, that in unity and peace it may proclaim one truth and follow one Lord, Your Son our Saviour Christ, who is alive and reigns with You, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
The Apostles’ Fast and Preparation for the Feast
In many traditions, the period leading up to June 29th is observed as a time of fasting and prayer. In 2026, the Apostles’ Fast will last 21 days, beginning June 8th .
44. Prayer at the Beginning of the Apostles’ Fast (June 8, 2026)
Lord Jesus Christ, as we begin the sacred season of the Apostles’ Fast, prepare our hearts to celebrate the glorious feast of Thy holy Apostles Peter and Paul. Through this discipline of prayer and fasting, strengthen us against our spiritual enemies and fill us with the grace of the Holy Spirit. May the example of the Apostles, who fasted and prayed before embarking on their missionary journeys, inspire us to greater fervor in our own spiritual lives. Amen.
45. Prayer for Fidelity During the Fast
St. Peter, who didst learn from the Lord Himself the power of prayer and fasting in the battle against temptation, obtain for me the grace to persevere in my Lenten disciplines. When my resolve weakens, strengthen me. When distractions assail, focus my mind on God. May this time of preparation bear fruit in a more ardent love of Christ and a more generous service of His Church. Amen.
Short Aspirations and Praises
The Church encourages the frequent use of short prayers to maintain a spirit of devotion throughout the day.
46. Aspirations to St. Peter
St. Peter, Prince of the Apostles, pray for us.
St. Peter, rock of the Church, pray for us.
St. Peter, keeper of the keys, open for us the gates of mercy.
St. Peter, who didst walk on water, steady our faith in troubled times.
St. Peter, who didst weep for thy denial, obtain for us true repentance.
St. Peter, who didst love the Lord, teach us to love Him more.
St. Peter, first Pope, pray for the Holy Father.
St. Peter, martyr of Rome, pray for the Church.
St. Peter, fisherman of men, cast Thy net and draw us to salvation.
47. The Angelus Adaptation for St. Peter
℣. The angel of the Lord declared unto Peter,
℟. And he confessed Jesus as the Christ, the Son of the living God.
℣. Pray for us, holy Apostle Peter,
℟. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Let Us Pray:
O God, Who hast built Thy Church upon the rock of Peter’s confession, grant that through his intercession we may ever stand firm in the faith and be united in the bond of peace. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Novena to St. Peter
(To be prayed nine days before June 29th, or at any time)
48. Preparatory Prayer for the Novena to St. Peter
(To be recited each day)
O glorious St. Peter, Prince of the Apostles, who by thy living faith didst confess Jesus as the Christ, the Son of the living God, and wast thereby made by Him the rock of His Church and the bearer of the keys of the kingdom of heaven, look down upon me in thy loving kindness and obtain for me from the Throne of Mercy the grace I so earnestly desire in this novena (mention your intention).
I firmly believe that thou art most powerful near the throne of God, who chose thee to be the foundation of His Church and the shepherd of His flock. O blessed Apostle, who wast strengthened by the Lord Himself and commanded to confirm thy brethren, take me also under thy loving care. Assist me in my present need with thy powerful intercession, that through thy prayers I may obtain the mercy and grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, who with the Father and the Holy Spirit liveth and reigneth world without end. Amen.
49. Daily Invocation for the Novena
St. Peter, faithful Apostle and humble servant of God, thou who didst love Our Lord with such fervor and serve Him with such zeal, I invoke thy intercession this day. Obtain for me the grace to imitate thy virtues: thy faith in confessing Christ, thy courage in following Him, thy humility in repenting of sin, and thy love in laying down thy life for His sake. Through thy powerful intercession, may I obtain the favor I seek in this novena, if it be for the glory of God and the good of my soul. Amen.
50. Concluding Prayer for the Novena
O God, Who didst choose blessed Peter to be the chief of the Apostles and the rock upon which Thou wouldst build Thy Church, grant, we beseech Thee, that through his intercession we may be so firmly grounded in the faith that nothing may ever separate us from the love of Christ. May the keys which Thou didst entrust to him open for us the gates of Thy mercy in this life and the gates of glory in the next. Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.
Blessings for the Feast
51. Blessing of a St. Peter’s Day Celebration
Lord God, as we gather to celebrate the feast of Thy blessed Apostle Peter, pour out Thy blessing upon this gathering. May the food we share nourish our bodies, and may the faith we share nourish our souls. Unite us in the love that Peter professed, strengthen us in the faith that Peter confessed, and lead us at last to the heavenly banquet where with Peter and all the saints we shall feast forever in Thy kingdom. Amen.
52. Blessing of a Home on St. Peter’s Day
O God, who didst send Thine angel to lead Peter out of prison and bring him safely to the house of Mary, the mother of John, where the faithful were gathered in prayer, bless this home and all who dwell herein. May St. Peter, by his intercession, protect this household from all harm. May the keys of the kingdom unlock for us the treasures of Thy grace. May the rock of faith be the foundation of our family life. Grant this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
53. Blessing of Fishermen on St. Peter’s Day
St. Peter, patron of fishermen, who didst leave thy nets to follow Christ and become a fisher of men, intercede for all who make their living from the sea. Protect them in storms, grant them safe return to shore, and provide for their families through the fruit of their labor. May they, like thee, recognize the Lord walking on the waters and hear His voice calling them to cast their nets into the deep. Amen.
Conclusion
As we conclude this treasury of prayers in honor of St. Peter, we are reminded of the wonderful mystery of God’s grace. He chose a simple fisherman—impetuous, imperfect, and prone to failure—and made him the rock upon which He would build His Church. He entrusted to him the keys of the kingdom and the power to bind and loose. He loved him, forgave him, and transformed him into a martyr whose witness still inspires us today.
In the year 2026, as we celebrate this great feast, let us take comfort in St. Peter’s example. If God could do such great things through a man of such humble beginnings and evident weaknesses, what might He do through us if we place our trust in Him? St. Peter shows us that holiness is not about perfection but about perseverance; not about never falling, but about always getting back up and returning to the Lord who loves us.
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Let us go to St. Peter with confidence. He who holds the keys stands ready to open for us the treasures of divine mercy. He who was restored after his denial understands our struggles and intercedes for our repentance. He who laid down his life for Christ now reigns with Him in glory and awaits our arrival at the heavenly gates.
On June 29th, 2026, let us join the universal Church in honoring these two great Apostles, asking their intercession for the Holy Father, for the unity of the Church, and for our own perseverance in faith.
St. Peter, Prince of the Apostles, pray for us.
St. Peter, Rock of the Church, pray for us.
St. Peter, Keeper of the Keys, open for us the gates of everlasting life.
Morris Clark
