Ebb and flow of praying well

[Greenfields]

Prayer life seems to be that a lot of the time,I can pray all the day ,but to keep really ‘connected’ can be a little bit hit and miss.When life’s not going so well ,I draw closer and feel really connected.When life is suddenly easier I have to shake myself and work harder at trying to keep the connection.Then there’s other things like having eaten just a tad too much,hormones fluctuating and sometimes just feeling kind of ‘prayed out’ after emotional rollercoaster with crisis.
I’m sure God understands all this,but I wish wish I could be consistent in staying connected all the time…if it were ever possible…is it possible?I know I can offer up the struggle it’s self too,and yet,
I’d appreciate hearing of some practices people use
themselves to give little wake up calls with really being present in the moment with Our Lord during the day at work or home

 

[Tis_Bearself]

I have the same problem. Some days I have time and energy to pray a lot and other days I feel very tired or am so busy I barely have time to eat and maybe not even to shower. On the bad days, all I can muster are little “help me please, Lord” type prayers.

 

[metanoia1]

This I would imagine affects all that endeavor to pray. We feel disconnected at times. I tend to pray and meditate in little bits through out the day and being disconnected certainly affects me. I will generally take 3-5 breaths to compose and become present and more mindful then recite(mentally) the little prayer or mantra that comes to mind. I make it a point to try to sit in the car after shutting it down either at work or at the store or at home and simply take 3-5 mindful breaths before exiting the car. If I’m alone this work.
s. Others are kind of impatient with me and really don’t get being still even for that short a period. Hope this helps a bit. Take care.

 

[pianistclare]

Schedule prayer just as you would your day. It should go on your to-do list.
I’m not saying be RIGID about it, but if you tell yourself "I’m not going to jump out of bed before I say a prayer to the Holy Spirit asking for guidance for this day and thanks to Gdd the Father for my life.

Then, make a real effort mid-morning to stop and say a Hail Mary, for ex.

Grace at meals.

Pause when you are angry or disturbed, ask for forgiveness for rash thinking or strength to persevere…you get the idea.

Instead of going inward and saying to oneself “what should I do?” Ask God “what would You have me do now Lord?”

It’s a habit in many ways. A thought process that always turns back to God.
I think you’ll find it’s going to get easier as it goes on.

Try it!
When I do my midmorning prayer today, I will also pray for you! And for you to remember to pray!

ETA: Fr Larry Richards has a cue saying:
No Bible no breakfast No BIble no bed. I’m workin on that myself!

 

[Mary_Ellen]

While on retreat I went to Confession and the retreat master gave me the penance of ‘playing around’ with developing a “RHYTHM OF LIFE” or a daily schedule that I could follow. Since I don’t work it has been hard for me to keep up with everything I should or want to be doing. I don’t have to hit all these marks but they are the goals I have set for myself:

Waking Office of Readings
6:00 AM Morning Prayer, with intentions; Consecration Prayers

10:00 AM Rosary

Any:00 Daytime Prayer

3:00 PM Chaplet of Divine Mercy

6:00 PM Evening Prayer
6:15 PM Consecration Prayer
6:30 PM Lectio Divina

9:00 PM Night Prayer

Any:00 Personal Formation
Any:00 Carmelite Reading

 

[Tis_Bearself]

Schedules get complicated for those of us who travel, change time zones, or have a work schedule that varies daily. I am trying to get in a Morning Offering habit as my mom always pushed me to do that and you can and should do it whenever you wake up, regardless of what time it is or where in the world you are. Still working on it. Some days it’s more like the Afternoon Offering.

 

[Greenfields]

I heard someone say once,they ask Jesus to let them feel his presence when they pray.I used to be in the habit of spiritual communion some time back,I guess with life it’s easy to forget practices.Cues then are good.Prayer cards in a prominent place maybe,
I do have a Divine Mercy picture on my kitchen mantle and talk to Jesus like my best friend,meeting those eyes many times in a day wether it’s with love ,in appeal or asking His advice