How can you fit all your prayers in?

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This is an honest question. I did this experiment some time ago. I kept reading things or hearing things, and I’d think to myself, “Boy I need to make sure I pray for that.” But I would often forget some of those things. So, I kept this notebook with me as I read the newspaper, and everything that I ran across or thought of where prayers were needed - whether it be a family tragedy, a story of persecution of christians, something to do with abortion, attacks against the family, things going on in our parish, a need for vocations, those in purgatory, relatives in need, guidance for my family, the upcoming elections, friends who don’t have faith, faithful apostolates like Catholic Answers, and so on, and so on…

My original plan was to pray for these things in front of the Blessed Sacrament, or during a Rosary, or offer up intentions at Mass, etc. But, my Lord, the list ended up being about 80 items long (no kidding… try this sometime!)

I’d really like to pray for all these things, but it was overwhelming. So now I usually dedicate my prayer time for family issues and some key things like abortion, attacks on the family, and the elections. But I’m constantly reading articles and books that say we should pray for this and that every day. I totally agree, but find it very difficult to do, especially as a father of five. So, we usually say all the day’s petitions that come to mind as a family. You know, “I pray for Terri in Florida, I pray for the poor that they may find comfort in you, God; I pray for Aunt Mary’s eye problem; etc.”
And then we offer all the intentions up with a prayer or two.

While that’s a quick way of getting everything in, it seems unsatisfactory.

Does anyone else struggle with this?
 
Certainly praying and making prayer requests before the Lord at an adoration chapel are worthy things to do. However, as you note, it can get a bit overwhelming. This is especially true as your faith matures and you come to rely more and more on the Lord. There is no reason not to say a quick prayer for intentions as they come to you (we are asked to pray constantly anyway) and then when you are in the adoration chapel, maybe say a general prayer for all the intentions you prayed for today. God, who knows all, will know what you mean.

I generally do the same thing as you I think. I pray for all the faithful departed and say a special prayer for members of my family. I am also in the habit of saying a Hail Mary and a prayer for each votive candle lit in the Chapel. I then have several Saints whose example I thank God for and who I ask to pray for me and my intentions.
 
Hope this helps…I formulated this method to help me accomplish the same problem you are having.

I pray:

The Apostles Creed
The Our Father
Hail Mary
Hail Holy Queen
Glory Be
St Michael prayer
Guardian Angel prayer

Then I put this together:

Lord I plead thy blood for the mercy and conversion of sinners everywhere in the world, no matter who they are, or what their state in life is. May all chastisements be averted or mitigated though we are deserving of punishment, and may the age of peace thru Christ prevail. Amen

Lord I pray and ask thy mercy for the sick, the suffering and the dying…whether in body, mind, or soul… thru-out the world, no matter who they are, or what their state in life may be. Amen

Our Lady of Guadalupe, I ask thy intercession and protection for the babies in the wombs of their mothers, and that abortion may become illegal thru-out the world. Amen

God bless and Mercy on all the aborted babies and unbaptized who have died…may they rest in peace and have happiness. Amen

God bless and mercy on the all the suffering souls in purgatory, especially those suffering greatly, as well as those whose family members do not believe in purgatory and have nobody to pray for them. Amen

Then I Close with more established prayers:

Eternal Father, I offer thee the body & blood, soul & divinity of thy dearly beloved son, our Lord Jesus Christ in atonement for our sins and of the whole world…for the sake of his sorrowful passion, have Mercy on us and on the whole world. Amen

O my Jesus forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell…lead ALL souls to Heaven, especially those most in need of thy Mercy. Amen

🙂
 
I brought up this same topic to my priest a few weeks ago! 🙂 He pointed out that one very important prayer to say each day is the morning offering, where you offer your entire day as a prayer for others. There are many versions of this offering, but the basic prayer is:

“Dear Lord Jesus,
through the Immaculate Heart of Mary,
I offer you my day today –
my work, prayers, joys and sufferings,
for the intentions of Your Most Sacred Heart,
in union with the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass throughout the world,
in reparation for all sins,
for the intentions of my friends and family,
for the intentions of our Holy Father Pope John Paul II,
and for all poor souls in purgatory
(you can also add other intentions).”

I often add “for whoever needs Your Grace the most on this day.”

There is another prayer I found in the book “Come to Me in the Blessed Sacrament” during adoration that covers pretty much everybody:

“To Your Gentle Heart I lift up a broken humanity
Asking You with that faith that moves mountains
To touch, help and heal all the afflicted,
Give comfort to the dying,
Consolation to the sick,
Hope to the depressed,
Freedom to the addicted,
Faith to all unbelievers,
Love to the lonely,
Mercy to every sinner,
Peace to the whole world,
By virtue of the infinite merits of Your Sacred Heart
And the merits of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Amen.”

Hope these help! :blessyou:
 
We had a very holy priest in our parish who once said that when he prayed, he would pray “for all those who have asked for prayer, and for those who need prayer.” I think that covers it pretty well.

Peace,
Linda
 
You can always keep a prayer journal, writing down every prayer request you get, and have it with you when you pray, saying “And for all the intentions in this book, we pray to the Lord.”
 
You’ve already answered your own question.

You come across these things all the time and realize that you should pray for them. Offer it up on the spot, and remember a few things…I believe all are found in the Bible. The 2nd thing may be from a Saint:

(I sincerely apologize that I don’t know the verses, only the context and meaning…and at least they are familiar):
  1. “Be still, and know that I am God”
This was helpful to me when I’ve felt overwhelmed. It calmed me, and gave me the ability to understand that God know exactly what I needed, what, and whom I was praying for. Just be still…even for a moment.
  1. Pray without ceasing…you seem to be doing this.
  2. The Holy Spirit intercedes for us with groanings from our soul that words cannot express.
Take your intentions throughout the day and realize that at the moment you realize the need for prayer for someone, that thought alone is a prayer…and God can ALWAYS hear us.
 
gomer tree:
This is an honest question. I did this experiment some time ago. I kept reading things or hearing things, and I’d think to myself, “Boy I need to make sure I pray for that.” But I would often forget some of those things. So, I kept this notebook with me as I read the newspaper, and everything that I ran across or thought of where prayers were needed - whether it be a family tragedy, a story of persecution of christians, something to do with abortion, attacks against the family, things going on in our parish, a need for vocations, those in purgatory, relatives in need, guidance for my family, the upcoming elections, friends who don’t have faith, faithful apostolates like Catholic Answers, and so on, and so on…

My original plan was to pray for these things in front of the Blessed Sacrament, or during a Rosary, or offer up intentions at Mass, etc. But, my Lord, the list ended up being about 80 items long (no kidding… try this sometime!)

I’d really like to pray for all these things, but it was overwhelming. So now I usually dedicate my prayer time for family issues and some key things like abortion, attacks on the family, and the elections. But I’m constantly reading articles and books that say we should pray for this and that every day. I totally agree, but find it very difficult to do, especially as a father of five. So, we usually say all the day’s petitions that come to mind as a family. You know, “I pray for Terri in Florida, I pray for the poor that they may find comfort in you, God; I pray for Aunt Mary’s eye problem; etc.”
And then we offer all the intentions up with a prayer or two.

While that’s a quick way of getting everything in, it seems unsatisfactory.

Does anyone else struggle with this?
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You could write all your intentions on a piece of paper and pray over them,------when we fill in our intentions in the church, like all souls day, and the priest prays collectively over them, imagine if he had to pray individually.:bigyikes:
 
Don’t forget to ask for help. Ask Jesus, Mary, the saints, the angels, and your Guardian Angel to pray for “all your intentions whether mentioned or in your heart”. They have more time than you to take care of the details.
 
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