Praying the Divine Mercy Chaplet

The first time I prayed this on my own (June 2013), I had tears pouring down my face and could barely speak by the time I reached the third decade of the Rosary beads.  It has since become one of my favorite prayers.  For more information on what it is, and how it came to be, see the Resources at the bottom of the page. You can also search on YouTube for the prayer, or download an audio with the Laudate application available on Android or iPhone from your store.

This will probably take you around 10 minutes to complete; your mileage may vary.
If you'd like to pray along with a spoken Divine Mercy, please visit HERE and click on the top 'play' button next to "The Divine Mercy Chaplet" for a beautiful prayer.

How to Pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet:
Opening Prayers:

1. Make the Sign of the Cross

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

2. Optional Opening Prayers

You expired, Jesus, but the source of life gushed forth for souls, and the ocean of mercy opened up for the whole world. O Fount of Life, unfathomable Divine Mercy, envelop the whole world and empty Yourself out upon us. 

(Repeat three times)
O Blood and Water, which gushed forth from the Heart of Jesus as a fountain of Mercy for us, I trust in You!

3. Our Father

Our Father, Who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name; Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, Amen.

4. Hail Mary

Hail Mary, full of grace. The Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou amongst women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death, Amen.

5. The Apostle's Creed

I believe in God, the Father almighty, Creator of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried; He descended into hell; on the third day He rose again from the dead; He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty; from there He will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting. Amen.

The Main Part of the Divine Mercy Chaplet:

6. The Eternal Father

Eternal Father, I offer you the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Your Dearly Beloved Son, Our Lord, Jesus Christ, in atonement for our sins and those of the whole world.

7. On the Ten Small Beads of Each Decade

For the sake of His sorrowful Passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world.

8. Repeat for the remaining decades

Saying the "Eternal Father"  on the "Our Father" bead and then 10 "For the sake of His sorrowful Passion"  on the following "Hail Mary" beads.

Conclusion:

9. Conclude with Holy God (Repeat three times)

Holy God, Holy Mighty One, Holy Immortal One, have mercy on us and on the whole world.

10. Optional Closing Prayer

Eternal God, in whom mercy is endless and the treasury of compassion — inexhaustible, look kindly upon us and increase Your mercy in us, that in difficult moments we might not despair nor become despondent, but with great confidence submit ourselves to Your holy will, which is Love and Mercy itself.

Resources:

http://www.catholicity.com/prayer/divinemercy.html

http://www.thedivinemercy.org/message/devotions/praythechaplet.php

http://www.thedivinemercy.org/message/acts/