How do you pray?

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I’ve been stuck in a dry patch in my prayer life lately and thought maybe I could find some inspiration here. Aside from the rosary or chaplets, I’m just wondering how, when and what do you pray? What helps you get closer to God? Do you keep a prayer journal? Thanks for taking the time to respond.
 
I have a new spiritual director who is working on contemplative prayer with me. It is opening all sorts of new doors.

I’m just a novice. I still do the rosary and divine mercy chaplet almost every day, along with other vocal prayers. After reading The Way of Perfection, by Theresa of Avila, I decided to turn inside to broaden my horizons. 😉
 
seagal said:
I’ve been stuck in a dry patch in my prayer life lately and thought maybe I could find some inspiration here. Aside from the rosary or chaplets, I’m just wondering how, when and what do you pray? What helps you get closer to God? Do you keep a prayer journal? Thanks for taking the time to respond.
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Two Angeli per day, a short prayer after and before the bed, two rosaries a week, chaplet of Divine Mercy on Fridays, often - Little Crown of Mary.
 
There are many options beyond the traditional methods. You might try the Daily Office or the Liturgy of the Hours. I find this to be of great benefit, you should really try this. There is also “praying continuously” by repeating “Lord Jesus Christ have mercy on me” or the Hail Mary. Laudate his chock full of prayers, and is a free app for your phone.

Reading the lives of the Saints, the Bible, and other spiritual material redirects or reprograms the mind, and slowly dissipates the “junk” and clutter of the mind. Right now I am reading about Eastern Orthodox monasticism, which has been great. You can get SEVEN books written by Saint Louis de Montfort for two bucks on Amazon Kindle.

You might kick off your new prayer devotions by doing a novena or by a small fast.

Hope this helps.
 
Sometimes I just set down with a pen and paper and “write a letter to God.” Sometimes it helps me to clarify my prayers and to direct them, rather than have daily formulated or vocal prayers. I write, “Dear God…” and pen my thoughts…prayers. I don’t do this every day, but it helps me to send a “direct communication” to God on occasion. When the “letter” is written you can review it, keep it, or discard it-your choice. You would be surprised how helpful it is to put your prayers to paper where you can visualize it, say it, pray it. A good “study tool” to help me to “understand” and stay in contact the great teacher-Our Lord. Peace.
 
I’m a fan of the Evening/Morning prayers in the little Magnificat booklets. (magnificat.com/)

Eucharistic Adoration is great too.

I recently started a prayer journal. It has been more fruitful than I was expecting. At first, I wasn’t really sure what sorts of stuff I should write down. If you persevere, you start to figure it out. I keep on writing down all the ways God has been working in my life, day to day, and then I start to see a broader picture unfolding, which is pretty awesome.
 
Daily Mass, Divine Office, daily Rosary, prayers before & after meals, The Angelus, etc.
 
In praying, do not be focused on the lengthiness of your prayer. God is omniscient, and so Jesus says:
And—[in] praying—ye may not use vain repetitions like the [pagans], for they think that in their much speaking they shall be heard, be ye not therefore like to them, for your Father doth know those things that ye have need of before your asking Him… (Matthew 6:7-8, YLT)
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Also, remember, Jesus has called us friends, not just servants, and He confides in us (John 15:15). He understands our struggles, being a man Himself (Heb. 4:5). Keep those things in mind, that God sympathizes with you and has love and mercy for you.
 
Nature, a walk in the park with God, a few stretches and deep breaths, inner quiet.
 
Many thanks for all the wonderful suggestions. You all have been very helpful.:gopray:
 
seagal said:
I’ve been stuck in a dry patch in my prayer life lately and thought maybe I could find some inspiration here. Aside from the rosary or chaplets, I’m just wondering how, when and what do you pray? What helps you get closer to God? Do you keep a prayer journal? Thanks for taking the time to respond.
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“There is a beautiful supplication, a quick prayer that our Lord gave to Sister Maria [Consolata] Betrone. It says-** ‘Jesus and Mary, I love You. Save souls.’** It is very simple, but oh it carries a lot of weight.” -Mother M Angelica of EWTN

mysticsofthechurch.com/2010/02/servant-of-god-sr-consolata-betrone.html
 
esieffe said:
Reading the lives of the Saints, the Bible, and other spiritual material redirects or reprograms the mind, and slowly dissipates the “junk” and clutter of the mind. Right now I am reading about Eastern Orthodox monasticism, which has been great. You can get SEVEN books written by Saint Louis de Montfort for two bucks on Amazon Kindle.
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There is a collection of his writings, called “God Alone”. His writings haven’t ceased to amaze me yet. He’s written up several methods in praying the rosary as well.
 
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