O my God,
relying on thy almighty power
and infinite mercy and promises,
I hope to obtain pardon of my sins,
the help of thy grace,
and life everlasting,
through the merits of Jesus Christ,
my Lord and Redeemer.
Amen.
CATHOLIC TRADITIONAL; CURRENT ENGLISH FORM 17TH-18TH CENTURY AD
The Act of Hope
Also known as O My God, Relying on Thy Almighty Power
About this prayer
The Act of Hope is one of the four traditional Catholic acts of virtue. It expresses trust in God's promises of salvation, relying on his mercy and the merits of Jesus Christ rather than on personal worthiness. Catholic theology defines hope as a theological virtue, distinct from natural optimism: it is directed specifically toward eternal life and the means of attaining it. The prayer acknowledges both God's power and mercy and the role of Christ's merits as the ground of the petitioner's confidence. Like the Act of Faith, it is typically part of daily morning devotion and is taught in Catholic religious instruction as one of the foundational prayers.
When it's said
The Act of Hope is said as part of the morning offering and as a devotional prayer at any time. It is traditionally said together with the Acts of Faith, Love, and Contrition. It is particularly recommended in times of difficulty, fear, or doubt.
Notes on the text
The prayer distinguishes the basis of Christian hope: not personal merit but the merits of Christ and the promises of God. The phrase 'almighty power and infinite mercy and promises' names three grounds for hope: God's ability to save, his willingness to save, and his commitment to save those who seek him.
Source
Traditional Catholic prayer, 17th-18th century English form. Text from F.X. Lasance, The Blessed Sacrament Book, 1913. Public domain.
Last reviewed: May 2026 against primary source.