Does anyone have advise on how to improve my prayer life?
Sounds like you answered your own question, when you said…
I love saying the hail Mary and pray novenas…
Not sure what you meant, but
you know…
1.) Try Lectio Divina as a form of prayer. This is not formal, repetitive prayer, like the Rosary; Lectio Divina is more a way of discovering what is significant and relevant to scripture in your life at the present moment. Since you have focused on the Saint, the 2000+ years of church history provides a wonderful array of great examples to contemplate. You’ll probably find a friend in an Angel or a Saint (identifying with a charism), and that will fill you with joy.
2.) Recollect yourself. Saint Theresa of Avila speaks of Recollective Prayer, but I tend to think recollection as a meditative exercise is a bit understated in the church. Today recollection seems to get lumped in with philosophy, and upstaged by a lot of psychological theories. But I used to experience the “recollective effect” a great deal more when saying the rosary a few years ago. Another great way to recollect yourself is by saying the Examen Prayer. In any case, setting aside time just to “gather yourself” works wonders.
3.) If you are Catholic, and you can receive the sacraments, receive them worthily. If not, ask a Priest what you can do in lieu of them. Receiving the sacraments is perhaps the greatest thing you can do for yourself.
4.) Fast. There’s a certain mentality to fasting that makes it unlike any other devotion. Assume, for instance, you were a regular at a bar, like Norm on Cheers, where the usual thing was to drink. Imagine, then, Norm telling everyone he wanted to go on a fast. His friends might object, but I didnt say he had to leave them. I just proposed he go on a fast for awhile. What would happen is, Norm would find time for other things, and he’d develop a unique sense of sovereignty as a result.
5.) When you dont have a lot of time to meditate, practice “spontaneous prayer” and “presence”. Read about St Therese of Lisieux’s “little way”.
6.) Go on a retreat. The positive experience of being in fellowship with others will give your spirituality a booster shot.
7.) Visit Bible study or take a class. Learning inevitably brings forth new ideas.
8.) Participate (i.e. serve) at mass. Sing, Usher, Read, etc… There’s plenty to do…
9.) Volunteer to help with a ministry at large.
10.) All in all - focus on doing something redemptive for yourself or others… Because after all - you’re working out your salvation…
In my case, I’ll offer one last one… Sing a lot… LOL For, when you sing, you pray twice…
Blessings!
