Daily Prayer Routine?

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Personally, I read a chapter of My Daily Bread every morning, and before going to bed I read a chapter from the Bible (currently I’m reading the Book of Ruth but I usually just open up to a random place), and try to pray the Chaplet of Divine Mercy and the rosary. I usually fall asleep will praying the Chaplet of Divine Mercy. >.< Plus I listen to Christian music and Gregorian Chants when home or driving.

Do you have a daily prayer routine?
 
I like praying the Divine Office (Rosary, Chaplet) as much as I can everyday.
 
I was thinking of getting a rosary ring just for that purpose.
 
I’m ashamed to say mine varies from day to day - and not very much. But I keep alot of images in the house, so I’m often saying a quick prayer as my eye catches an image of the Sacred Heart or Our Lady.

However, I do begin my day with the following: The Morning Offering, two “Eternal Rest” prayers for the deceased and “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me a sinner.” Sometimes, I say the Rosary of the Holy Wounds or Divine Chaplet during a day and at night often bless myself with Holy Water near my bedside.

Isn’t it sad? I read about so many beautiful efforts made by you all here - and I find myself lacking - either tired or distracted by television. Please say a prayer for my poor, miserable soul.
 
I don’t think your efforts are miserable, ConservativeOne. I like the idea of having images around your house.
 
One of the problems with a thread like this is that, as we have just seen, it can make people feel that their prayer is inadequate or somehow lacking. One person may be able to get in two hours a prayer a day, another maybe only quick prayers during the day. Which is better? There is no way to tell. Both are pleasing to God. One may be saying prayers just rote, and the other truly from the heart. There is no way to compare. One can only do their best and pray in a sincere way whether it be a few hours a week before the Blessed Sacrament, numerous novenas, or simply dedicating their day to God and speaking to Him informally during the course of the day. No one should be ashamed or sad that their pray routine does not live up to someone else’s. You pray as you can, not as you can’t…as long as you do pray.
 
Joannm said:
One of the problems with a thread like this is that, as we have just seen, it can make people feel that their prayer is inadequate or somehow lacking. One person may be able to get in two hours a prayer a day, another maybe only quick prayers during the day. Which is better? There is no way to tell. Both are pleasing to God. One may be saying prayers just rote, and the other truly from the heart. There is no way to compare. One can only do their best and pray in a sincere way whether it be a few hours a week before the Blessed Sacrament, numerous novenas, or simply dedicating their day to God and speaking to Him informally during the course of the day. No one should be ashamed or sad that their pray routine does not live up to someone else’s. You pray as you can, not as you can’t…as long as you do pray.
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Beautiful post, Joannm.

I try to use my Baronius Missal for the morning and evening prayers and then add a few “favorites” (St. Michael the Archangel, Eternal Rest, Mother of Perpetual Help [we’re in a Redemptorist Parish]) However, as Joannm mentioned above, I frequently am frustrated by the self-imposed demands of life and may miss one or the other. I try to work the Rosary in during the day, as well, but also fail too often.

I know the days when I complete the morning prayers, Rosary and evening prayers lead to my most peaceful and restful nights’ sleep.
 
I have tried too many devotions: Liturgy of the Hours, Rosary, Little Office of the BVM (pre- and post-concilliar), In Conversation with God, Holy Scripture reading, Divine Intimacy, St. Bridget Prayers, Chaplet of Divine Mercy, prayers from the various websites that offer the Divine Office in the pre-concilliar form and post-concilliar form, etc… While there is a “rich” treasury of prayers in the Church, I’ve found it can be overwhelming and disconcerting if you approach it with the wrong ideas.

This is what I’ve found:
  1. You can overdo it if you try to do too many devotions at one time.
  2. Your prayer life can suffer if you are sporadic and lack continuity from day to day.
  3. There is no personal prayer that approaches “nirvana” or a “catharsis”. All prayer here on earth is shy of the Beatific Vision, so don’t waste time trying to find that “perfect” prayer combination - just find something that is reasonable and fits your needs. Sometimes, simpler is better.
  4. Sometimes what you “like” is not what brings *you *closer to God. Sometimes prayer forms that others think are “cool” do not bring *you *closer to God.
  5. Be honest about what you can actually handle. You’re not a monk, but prayer should be a sacrifice of time. If it is “squeezed in”, then what I’m really doing is putting God on “Low Priority”. If I am neglecting the requirements of my state of life and vocation due to my prayer life, then I need to cut back (that is, assuming you’re not wasting time elsewhere).
  6. *Some *prayers out there, thought they may be the “official version” are really dull and uninspiring. By this, I mean contemporary translations. If the prayers don’t challenge you then you may want to try elsewhere.
Okay, so all that having been said, what have I found that works for me?
  1. I prayer the Rosary every day for continuity. This is the only prayer devotion I “bind” myself to. If I can’t do anything else, I am sure to get my Rosary in. That at least gives me consistency.
  2. If I want to add any prayers, I use the Little Office of the BVM (preconcilliar). I find this a simple prayer with a great, traditional history throughout the ages. The language is uplifting, and the prayers are challenging. I will pray whatever hours I have free time for. If I don’t get to it, then so be it. Compline is usually the one that gets done…just before “lights out”. I may couple that with a Gospel reading from the New Testament (DR). These two books fit nicely together as the publisher made them the same size.
  3. Finally, and this may sound gross, but it really works, I keep the current volume of In Conversation With God in the bathroom for bathroom reading. The readings are just about right, lengthwise, and you are able to keep up with the daily readings.
 
Joannm said:
One of the problems with a thread like this is that, as we have just seen, it can make people feel that their prayer is inadequate or somehow lacking. One person may be able to get in two hours a prayer a day, another maybe only quick prayers during the day. Which is better? There is no way to tell. Both are pleasing to God. One may be saying prayers just rote, and the other truly from the heart. There is no way to compare. One can only do their best and pray in a sincere way whether it be a few hours a week before the Blessed Sacrament, numerous novenas, or simply dedicating their day to God and speaking to Him informally during the course of the day. No one should be ashamed or sad that their pray routine does not live up to someone else’s. You pray as you can, not as you can’t…as long as you do pray.
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From the least of His servants of whom little is expected, wisely said…joannm. May we know we are nothing, but that God has a unique schedule of events and trials for each of us. Comparison so easily leads to the fatal diseases of discouragement or pride. May we discern what is God’s will for ourselves and not be complacent either. Oh no wonder God’s grace falls upon us continuously upon us when there are so many pitfalls. Where would we be if left to ourselves? But let us desire to be perfect in our own way. No complacency. We will never finish the journey here. We must be on the move.
 
Windmill said:
  1. If I want to add any prayers, I use the Little Office of the BVM (preconcilliar). I find this a simple prayer with a great, traditional history throughout the ages. The language is uplifting, and the prayers are challenging. I will pray whatever hours I have free time for. If I don’t get to it, then so be it. Compline is usually the one that gets done…just before “lights out”.
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Have you thought about praying the traditional Roman Breviary?
 
Yes, morning prayer with the family from the Magnificat (condensed version of LOTH). evening prayers with family are usually a Bible reading or something from a Saint, whatever novena we are saying then, and a few specific prayers we say every night.

I am currently not working, so I’m trying to get to daily Mass. Didn’t make it today. 😊 I am also out of the habit of a daily rosary because I had been so busy at work before being laid off. So, I have a great desire to get back to that.

Also, a weekly Holy Hour! 👍
 
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