The other great patron of lawyers is St Thomas More, Lord Chancellor of England, who chose to be beheaded rather than swear an oath he believed was false. Between them they cover the two halves of the profession: serving clients well, and never selling your conscience.
Historical Context
The Red Mass, named for the red vestments of the Holy Spirit, has been offered for judges and lawyers since the Middle Ages. In the United States it is held each year in Washington before the Supreme Court’s term opens in October.
A Lawyer’s Prayer
Lord, you love justice.
Make me a lawyer you can use.
Give me a clear mind, careful preparation and an honest tongue.
Let me serve my clients faithfully
without ever deceiving the court or myself.
Remind me that the law exists for people,
especially the ones who cannot afford to be heard.
St Ivo and St Thomas More, pray for me.
Amen.
Before a Trial or Hearing
Lord, today matters to my client more than to anyone.
Steady my nerves and sharpen my thinking.
Let the truth come out, and let justice be done.
Amen.
A Prayer for Judges
Lord, give judges wisdom like Solomon’s:
patience to listen, courage to decide, and mercy where mercy is just.
Keep them free from fear and favour.
Amen.
For a Law Student Before the Bar Exam
Lord, I have studied for years for this.
Bring back what I’ve learned, calm my mind and keep me well.
Whatever happens, let me use this profession to serve.
Amen.
Best Times for This Prayer
- Before court, a deposition or a negotiation.
- When facing an ethical choice in a case.
- Before the bar exam, or on admission to practice.
- On 19 May (St Ivo) and 22 June (St Thomas More).
- At the Red Mass, early October.
Scripture Connection
“But let judgment run down as waters, and righteousness as a mighty stream.” — Amos 5:24
Amos preached against courts that took bribes and turned away the poor. His picture of justice is not a scale but a river: something that flows to everyone, constantly, not only to those who can pay for it.
Related prayers
For those in a legal dispute, see the Prayer for Divorce Settlement. For honesty, the Prayer for Honesty, and for integrity at work, the Integrity Prayer.