Prayer to St. Jude: 16 Powerful Prayers and a 9-Day Novena

Some situations feel past fixing: a diagnosis that came too late, a debt that keeps growing, a child who won’t answer the phone. For centuries, Catholics facing moments like these have turned to St. Jude, the apostle known as the patron of hopeless and desperate causes. A prayer to St. Jude asks this faithful friend of Jesus to pray with you, bringing your need before God when you feel you’ve run out of options.

Below you’ll learn who St. Jude was and why Catholics ask saints to pray for them. You’ll also find original prayers, a 9-day novena, and a thanksgiving prayer. Whatever your tradition, we hope these words help you keep hoping in God.

“Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy…” — Jude 1:24 (KJV)

Table of Contents

Who Was St. Jude Thaddeus?

St. Jude was one of the twelve apostles chosen by Jesus. Luke’s Gospel calls him “Judas the brother of James,” and Matthew calls him Thaddaeus, which is why he is known as Jude Thaddeus. John’s Gospel carefully says “Judas … not Iscariot,” so no one would confuse him with the betrayer.

Prayer to St. Jude: Jude 1:24 verse card — Jude 1:24 (KJV)

Church tradition identifies him as the author of the short Epistle of Jude near the end of the New Testament. Tradition says he preached in the Middle East and died a martyr with St. Simon the Zealot, so the Church celebrates both apostles on the same feast day, October 28.

Why hopeless causes? A common explanation is that his name sounded like Judas Iscariot, so few prayed to him, and he became the saint people turned to when all else seemed lost.

Why Do People Pray to Saints?

Catholics and Orthodox Christians do not worship saints; worship belongs to God alone. Instead, they ask the saints to intercede, or pray for them, as you might ask a friend at church to. Catholic teaching holds that those who died in Christ are alive with Him, part of the “cloud of witnesses” (Hebrews 12:1), and that their prayers still help us. Every answer comes from God.

Many Protestant Christians prefer to pray directly to God through Jesus and do not address prayers to saints. You can still read St. Jude’s letter, learn from his faithfulness, and adapt the prayers below to speak to the Lord directly.

A Short Prayer to St. Jude

St. Jude, faithful apostle and friend of Jesus, please pray for me in this hard time. Ask the Lord to give me strength, wisdom, and hope, and to help me in the way that is best. I trust in His mercy. Amen.

Prayers to St. Jude for Desperate Situations

1. Prayer to St. Jude for a Desperate Situation

St. Jude, I come to you because I don’t know where else to turn. This problem has grown bigger than me, and I’m tired of trying to fix it alone. Please bring my need before Him now. Ask God to open a way where I see no way, to calm my panic, and to send the right help at the right time. Whatever the outcome, help me hold on to faith and not give in to despair. Amen.

2. Prayer to St. Jude for Healing

St. Jude, please pray for me (or name the person) in this sickness. The doctors are doing what they can, and I thank God for them. Join your prayers to mine before Jesus, who healed the sick in every town He visited. Ask Him to touch this body with healing, to ease pain and fear, and to guide every treatment. If healing comes slowly, help us not lose heart. We place this illness in God’s loving hands. Amen.

3. Prayer to St. Jude for a Job or Financial Help

St. Jude, the bills are piling up and I’m worried about how we’ll manage. Please pray for me and my family. Ask the Lord to open a door to honest work that fits my skills, to give me favor with those who interview me, and to provide for our daily needs. Keep me from bad choices made in fear, and help me be wise with what I have and generous even in need. Amen.

4. Prayer to St. Jude for a Family Member

St. Jude, I’m carrying deep worry for someone I love. (Say their name.) They are going through something I can’t fix. Please pray for them before Jesus. Ask Him to reach their heart, protect them from harm, and bring them back to peace and to faith. Heal what is broken between us, and give me patience and the right words when we speak. Help me love them well while I wait. Amen.

5. Prayer to St. Jude for a Broken Relationship

St. Jude, a relationship that matters to me is falling apart. Please pray for us. Ask the Lord to soften hard hearts, starting with mine. Show me where I need to apologize and give me courage to do it. If reconciliation is possible, open the door; if it isn’t safe or wise, give me peace to let go and to wish them well. Help me forgive as Christ has forgiven me. Amen.

6. Prayer to St. Jude for Peace of Mind

St. Jude, my thoughts won’t rest. I lie awake replaying every fear and every “what if.” Please pray that God’s peace would guard my heart and mind. Ask the Lord to quiet my anxiety, show me one good step to take today, and help me leave tomorrow in His hands. Build me up in faith, as your letter says, and keep me in the love of God. Give me rest tonight and courage in the morning. Amen.

A 9-Day Novena to St. Jude

A novena is a prayer said for nine days in a row, recalling the disciples who prayed together before Pentecost. Choose one intention and pray each day’s line. Catholics often add an Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory Be. A novena is a way to pray faithfully, not a formula that guarantees a result.

Day 1 – Bringing my need. St. Jude, I place my intention before you. Pray that God hears my heart. Amen.
Day 2 – Trust. St. Jude, you left everything to follow Jesus. Pray that I trust Him as you did. Amen.
Day 3 – Peace. St. Jude, pray that God’s peace guards my restless heart today. Amen.
Day 4 – Patience. St. Jude, pray that I wait on the Lord without bitterness or panic. Amen.
Day 5 – Honesty. St. Jude, pray that I turn from anything in me that displeases God. Amen.
Day 6 – Wisdom. St. Jude, pray that God shows me the next right step. Amen.
Day 7 – Others. St. Jude, pray for everyone carrying a burden like mine today. Amen.
Day 8 – Surrender. St. Jude, I let go of how I want this to end. Pray that God’s will be done. Amen.
Day 9 – Hope. St. Jude, pray that I keep hoping in God, whatever the answer. Amen.

How to Pray to St. Jude: Practical Tips

Pair prayer with action. Keep taking medicine, sending applications, or seeking counsel.
Read the Epistle of Jude. It’s one short chapter; verses 20–21 make a fine daily prayer guide.
Skip the chain messages. Some posts say a prayer to St. Jude must be shared or published to “work.” It needn’t be; God hears a quiet prayer.
Ask others to pray. Tell your parish, pastor, or a trusted friend. If your situation involves danger, abuse, or thoughts of self-harm, contact local emergency services or a crisis line right away.

For more words in heavy times, see our prayer for help and prayer for hope.

A Prayer to St. Jude of Thanksgiving

7. Thanksgiving Prayer for a Favor Received

Lord God, my heart is full. You heard my cry when I felt hopeless, and You answered. Thank You. I don’t want to forget this moment or keep it to myself. And thank you, St. Jude, for praying with me through those long days. Help me tell others, simply and honestly, that You were faithful to me. Make me ready to pray for those still waiting. May my whole life give You thanks. Amen.

8. Prayer When the Answer Is Not What I Hoped

St. Jude, my prayer wasn’t answered the way I wanted, and I’m hurt and confused. Please pray for me now. Ask the Lord to hold me in my disappointment and keep me from turning away from Him. Remind me that God is still good, still near, and still working, even when I can’t understand. Give me strength for what lies ahead and grace to trust His love. Help me believe this is not the end of my story. Amen.

St. Jude, pray for me in this hopeless moment. Amen.
St. Jude, ask Jesus to bring healing to my loved one. Amen.
St. Jude, pray that God opens a door for honest work. Amen.
St. Jude, pray for my family to be united in love. Amen.
St. Jude, help me keep myself in the love of God. Amen.
St. Jude, pray that I don’t give up hope. Amen.
St. Jude and St. Simon, pray for all who suffer today. Amen.
Thank you, St. Jude, for praying with me; all glory to God. Amen.

Bible Verses From the Epistle of Jude and More

Jude 1:2 – “Mercy unto you, and peace, and love, be multiplied.”
Jude 1:20–21 – “But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.”
Jude 1:24–25 – “Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.”
Luke 1:37 – “For with God nothing shall be impossible.”
James 5:16 – “…The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.”
Philippians 4:6 – “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.”

All verses quoted from the King James Version (KJV).

FAQs About Prayer to St. Jude

When is St. Jude’s feast day?

October 28, shared with St. Simon. A novena begun October 20 ends on the feast, but you can pray a prayer to St. Jude any day. See our October prayers and blessings for more this month.

Does a prayer to St. Jude always get answered the way I ask?

No prayer guarantees a result. St. Jude prays with you, but the answer comes from God, who sees what we cannot. Keep praying and trusting His love.

Can non-Catholics pray to St. Jude?

Many non-Catholic Christians pray directly to God instead, and you can adapt any prayer here to address the Lord. Catholics who pray to St. Jude ask for his prayers; they do not worship him.

A Final Prayer to St. Jude

St. Jude, servant of Jesus Christ and brother of James, you gave your life to share the Gospel. I bring you my heavy heart today. Pray for me and for everyone I love. Ask God to keep us from falling, to build us up in faith, and to keep us in His love while we wait for His mercy. When I feel hopeless, remind me that nothing is impossible with God. To Him be all glory, now and forever. In Jesus’ name, Amen. 🙏

You may also like: Prayer for Healing, Prayer for Provision and Prayer for a Wayward Child.

More Prayers for Hard Times

More Catholic Prayers and Saints

Naeem Khan

Naeem Khan creates faith-based and inspirational content focused on prayers, blessings, and spiritual reflections, helping readers apply timeless messages of faith to everyday life.

Every prayer and scripture reference published on Infoz Prayer is reviewed for clarity, accuracy, and appropriate context before publication. Bible and Quran verses are quoted from established translations, and articles are updated regularly to keep information accurate and helpful.