I want to start praying

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Ok, I don’t pray. Unless I REALLY want something. I give the usual bullcrud excuses, “i’m too busy etc” But I know I can fight the utter tiredness at the end of day and spend time praying. I go to a Catholic School and we pray every morning and say the Angelus after lunch, but its seems so mundane and almost cult-like, I know thats not a very good way to describe it, but it really seems like a chore. I want to start praying and know how, do it well, and really get closer to God and grow spirtually. I want to talk to Him, and Him to talk back, and have a meaning full conversation with God. Not only that, I think He’s calling me to the priesthood and I need Him to guide me so I can know. Anyways any enlightenment/guidance would be greatly appreciated.

-matthew
 
get off the computer, turn off the computer, TV, radio, cell phone and other distractions. you can’t converse with God if you are busy here or in other conversations. Go into your room and pray.
 
Dear friend

There is no secret to prayer. Just ask Jesus to teach you. He will.

God Bless you and much love and peace to you

Teresa
 
I was never a real big Rosary-sayer (is that a word :)), but that was one of my New Years’ resolutions. Saying the Rosary on a regular basis, learning how to meditate over the Mysteries and the fruit of the mysteries, has made all my praying better I think!

Good luck but you won’t need it with Jesus helping you!
 
I echo everyone’s suggestions here, and want to add, think about God. Think about certain stories from the Bible. The more you think about these things, the easier it will be to pray. Do this while driving, bathing, walking, shopping – any time. ALL the time. (sounds weird, but I’d rather think about God than think about how irritated being stuck in a long line or a traffic jam or whatever)

And my second suggestion: Say morning and evening prayers on your knees next to your bed. Sounds really old fashioned, but my prayer life has improved dramatically since I began praying on my knees again. I prayed kneeling when I was little, but gave it up when I was a teen – just got back to it recently.

The prayers don’t have to be elaborate – my morning prayer always starts with the Sign of the Cross and begins with a prayer I made up: “Jesus, I offer my day to you. Help me to make it pleasing to you. Help others to see you through me, through what I say and what I do.” And then I add special intentions.

It’s wonderful that you are feeling God’s call and are seeking to answer it!

God bless you!
'thann
 
I like to use the Magnificat. magnificat.net/ It’s an easy to use monthly magazine that includes the mass readings for the day, morning and evening prayers as well as other spriritual writings.

You can get a sample copy before you subscribe.

In addition to that, I read daily meditations from In Conversation With God by Francis Fernandez.

Then throughout the day, have an attitude of gratitude, say grace before meals, thank God for the beautiful day, the friendly cashier, etc.
 
Matthew,

I second all the suggestions here. They are wonderful. One thing I might add- try saying “Jesus, I trust in You” whenever you feel like those prayers at school are boring or like a chore. And one more thing- try to start off praying simply. There is no need to jump into big long prayers, unless you want to.
I can not stress enough- ask Jesus to help you. I have a feeling, He loves this sort of thing! 😉

You are in my prayers!

Jade.
 
River Glorious,

Is there anyway that you can get the subscriptions sent to Canada without it being in french. When you click on Canada there is no option of english and french, just french. When I go to the US part, it’s in english but does not allow you to enter a canadian address???

I’m asking because of my interest and because the first poster is Canadian as well…

Thanks
Sarc
 
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canadianlife:
Ok, I don’t pray. Unless I REALLY want something. I give the usual bullcrud excuses, “i’m too busy etc” But I know I can fight the utter tiredness at the end of day and spend time praying. I go to a Catholic School and we pray every morning and say the Angelus after lunch, but its seems so mundane and almost cult-like, I know thats not a very good way to describe it, but it really seems like a chore. I want to start praying and know how, do it well, and really get closer to God and grow spirtually. I want to talk to Him, and Him to talk back, and have a meaning full conversation with God. Not only that, I think He’s calling me to the priesthood and I need Him to guide me so I can know. Anyways any enlightenment/guidance would be greatly appreciated.
Canadianlife,

IUnderstand what you have said. Yes regular prayer in school can seem mundane and actually boring. I am concerned that you only pray WHEN YOU WANT SOMETHING. You are one of God’s children! Don’t you think Your Father would like a short visit from you daily? Just a one minute prayer is great.

I am an old man but I learned about 15 years ago that I can pray in my own way and it is good. I mean talk to god as if He were on the telephone - plain language! Sure I say the Our Father, The Hail Mary & the Gloria at night in my nightly prayers, but during the day I just talk to God.

I had to go to confession 3 weeks ago for I got angry at the Holy Ghost.I had prayed for something for someone else and the prayer wasn’t answered. I found out I was TELLING GOD WHAT TO DO, do not tell GOD what to do or when to do it. Ask for a good outcome.

Just start with one minute prayers during the day, like when you are walking to class. Just TALK! Talk to your Father he loves to hear from you.

-matthew
Click to expand...
 
The Fathers often speak of our prayer life as a lake which when agitated, even with the slightest ripple, cannot clearly reflect what is around it. The same lake, when still, provides a near perfect mirror image of it’s surroundings. Metropolitan Anthony states that “Silence is the state in which all the powers of the soul and all the faculties of the body are completely at peace, quiet and recollected, perfectly alert yet free from any turmoil or agitation.” He goes on to say that stillness is how we give God the opportunity to reveal Himself to us because it is in stillness that we are more likely to notice.

uocc.ca/silence.html

Huge links page
landru.i-link-2.net/shnyves/prayer.html

Try getting into the habit of Morning and / or evening prayer

E.G - byzcath.org/faith/worship/Morning-Rule-of-Prayer.pdf
 
I just wanted to add that when you are just beginning to pray and do not have a habit, start small but try to stick to it and add a little all the time. Remember that a child learns to crawl before it can walk. So when you pray, learn to pray like a child first. Start with three hail Mary’s if necessary every night before bed. Add the Morning Offering in the Morning so you can offer your whole day. Be child like. When you start to say the rosary begin with one decade.

A suggestion on the rosary. For those who find it monotonous, remember try to focus on the different mysteries in your meditations. The prayers become the background music. Thoughts that pop into your mind as you pray are like flys buzzing around, don’t stop keep trying. I always tell my kids. If you feel your prayers are not said very well, keep trying. Remember God loves you and is your Father. As any parent who receives a scribbled paper from their child sticks it proudly on their refrigerator, God proudly accepts your little prayers and pulls you into his heart.

God Bless you on your journey.
 
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