Catholic Prayer for a Broken Heart

For a breakup, a betrayal, or a loss you can’t talk about yet. Bring it to the heart that was pierced for you.

The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart, and saves those who have a crushed spirit. Psalm 34:18

Jesus, Your heart was pierced too. You know what it is to be betrayed by a friend and left alone by the people You loved. My heart is broken, and I can’t put it back together. Come close, like You promised You would to the brokenhearted. Hold what I can’t hold, and heal me slowly, in Your time. Amen.

Jesus called His own heart gentle and humble. The devotion to the Sacred Heart starts there. End with the short prayer from the Raccolta.

“Come to me, all you who labor and are heavily burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart; and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30

Sacred Heart of Jesus, You told the weary to come to You, and I’m weary. I bring You the wound I keep reopening, the memories I replay, the words I can’t forget. Heal what I can’t reach. Give me rest for my soul. Sacred Heart of Jesus, I trust in Thee.

Old one-line prayers from the Raccolta (1910), short enough to say on a hard afternoon, again and again.

Sacred Heart of Jesus, I trust in Thee. Sweet Heart of Jesus, be my love. Heart of Jesus, burning with love of us, inflame our hearts with love of Thee. Jesus, meek and humble of heart, make my heart like unto thine. May the Heart of Jesus be loved everywhere.

Mary knew grief from the inside: a sword through her soul, as Simeon said. A prayer asking her to pray for you.

Mary, Mother of Sorrows, your heart was pierced like mine, and worse. You didn’t stop loving and you didn’t stop trusting. Pray for me now. Ask your Son to bind up what is broken in me, and teach me to stay near the cross until morning comes. Amen.

Heartbreak often comes back as anger. The old prayer for a meek heart is a good place to start.

Jesus, meek and humble of heart, I’m angry. I keep rehearsing what I’d say to them, and it’s eating me alive. I don’t want to stay here. Take the bitterness before it hardens. Make my heart like Yours, and let me leave justice to You. Amen.

Mornings are often the hardest part of a broken heart. Start with one line before the memories do.

Good morning, Jesus. Before the hurt wakes up with me, I give You this day and this heart. I don’t have to be healed by tonight. I just have to stay close to You. Sacred Heart of Jesus, I trust in Thee.