Should I pray more?

[Nelka]

This is purely a spiritual question and has nothing to do with the good or bad parts of my life.

Should I pray in the sense that you exercise, as you get fitter you run further so should I be steadily increasing the mount I pray as I do pray more now than I did five years ago and not sure whether I should increase slightly?

I would like to be holy and pious but still struggle with the basics and thought maybe adding a novena, as I am quite regimented I find it hard to just pray this day or that day as the feeling arises and like to know and plan if that makes sense.

Basically should we slowly increase our prayers throughout our life?

Thanks.

 

[animalis]

1 Thessalonians 5:

16 Always rejoice.

17 Pray without ceasing.

18 In all things give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you all.

I suggest reading the Saint Thomas Aquinas commentary on the epistle.

St. Bonaventure explaining Ecclesiastes says, “wisdom is very useful”. If you adapt to it, ie. the writings of the Seraphic and Angelic Doctors you will find you will have a fighting chance to be all that God called you to be.

Here is the link to the commentary: dhspriory.org/thomas/SS1Thes.htm#52

 

[USMC_Convert]

Yes…

 

[Gertabelle]

I’m not sure that exercise works the way you describe – that you continually increase the amount of time to workouts as one’s body becomes more fit. Rather, one might increase the intensity of the workout, or change the focus occasionally to a new fitness goal.

Maybe chat with your pastor, or a trusted friend - someone who knows you - about what direction you should take.

 

[Crusaderbear]

See my sig…

 

[TK421]

This is purely a spiritual question and has nothing to do with the good or bad parts of my life.

Should I pray in the sense that you exercise, as you get fitter you run further so should I be steadily increasing the mount I pray as I do pray more now than I did five years ago and not sure whether I should increase slightly?

I would like to be holy and pious but still struggle with the basics and thought maybe adding a novena, as I am quite regimented I find it hard to just pray this day or that day as the feeling arises and like to know and plan if that makes sense.

Basically should we slowly increase our prayers throughout our life?

Thanks.

St Elizabeth Seton tells us to “pray at all times, literally.” But, if like in the Didache, you just pray one ‘Our Father’ a day, that is infinitely better than praying none.

You shouldn’t be disturbed that you “struggle with the basics”. Who doesn’t struggle with the basics? What are the basics?: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your mind, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and love your neighbor as yourself”. Do you know a single person that obeys this?

When we try to be good, we constantly - on a daily and hourly basis - end up on our face. This is a very good thing as long as we make good use of it:

catholicexchange.com/profit-faults

I hope the article helps & encourages you.

 

[MaryT777]

See my sig…

Love the quote!~

 

[CountrySteve]

Yes. St. Francis de Sales recommends for the laity twice a day. Once in the morning and once at night. If you can, try to stay recollected as far as possible.

 

[Tomyris]

This is purely a spiritual question and has nothing to do with the good or bad parts of my life.

Should I pray in the sense that you exercise, as you get fitter you run further so should I be steadily increasing the mount I pray as I do pray more now than I did five years ago and not sure whether I should increase slightly?

I would like to be holy and pious but still struggle with the basics and thought maybe adding a novena, as I am quite regimented I find it hard to just pray this day or that day as the feeling arises and like to know and plan if that makes sense.

Basically should we slowly increase our prayers throughout our life?

Thanks.

No you should not pray more in the sense that it is a duty and an obligation and something to be tolerated because it would be better: sentenced to four hours plus jail time on your knees before a timekeeper God with a stopwatch every day in misery.

Yes you should pray more but it should be grounded in where prayer comes from, and that is love of God, hearing the Word, being filled with the Spirit. Then prayer comes naturally and God will not consider asking you if He is boring you. There are still dry times that come when it seems like you are just going through the motions, but they are to be broken through via perseverance, sort of like getting your second wind in a marathon.

Prayer is for lovers. Lovers of God. Get a passionate love of God and the prayer life will increase. Seek first and all that. Read on prayer. Brother Laurence’s “Practicing the Presence of God” is most excellent.

Oh, yeah: how do you get a passionate love of God? You pray.

 

[friardchips]

This is purely a spiritual question and has nothing to do with the good or bad parts of my life.

Should I pray in the sense that you exercise, as you get fitter you run further so should I be steadily increasing the mount I pray as I do pray more now than I did five years ago and not sure whether I should increase slightly?

I would like to be holy and pious but still struggle with the basics and thought maybe adding a novena, as I am quite regimented I find it hard to just pray this day or that day as the feeling arises and like to know and plan if that makes sense.

Basically should we slowly increase our prayers throughout our life?

Thanks.

1 Thessalonians 5:

16 Always rejoice.

17 Pray without ceasing.

18 In all things give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you all.

I suggest reading the Saint Thomas Aquinas commentary on the epistle.

St. Bonaventure explaining Ecclesiastes says, “wisdom is very useful”. If you adapt to it, ie. the writings of the Seraphic and Angelic Doctors you will find you will have a fighting chance to be all that God called you to be.

Here is the link to the commentary: dhspriory.org/thomas/SS1Thes.htm#52

This.

Yes. St. Francis de Sales recommends for the laity twice a day. Once in the morning and once at night. If you can, try to stay recollected as far as possible.

This.

 

[Nelka]

Should I pray when I wake in the morning still laying in bed? Would this be better than thinking and/or worrying about things?

 

[Gertabelle]

Should I pray when I wake in the morning still laying in bed? Would this be better than thinking and/or worrying about things?

My goodness, yes!

I often wake up and just say good morning to God.

And as my mind is often filled with worries (especially at this time of year), I will then pour out my heart to my heavenly Father and ask His help for the day.

 

[Rosebud77]

My goodness, yes!

I often wake up and just say good morning to God.

And as my mind is often filled with worries (especially at this time of year), I will then pour out my heart to my heavenly Father and ask His help for the day.

Says ruefully… my morning prayer these days is a fervent, Please Dear Lord, help me to get out of bed! It gets harder and harder for my legs to work.

But always thanksgiving

For many years, before giving thanks became a part of breathing…
My waking prayer was…

THANK YOU JESUS; for the rest I have had, for the night that has passed, for the day ahead…for my bed, blankets, pillows… for the roof over my head…

THANK YOU JESUS, that I can walk. That my body is working

THANK YOU JESUS for light and heat at the flick of a switch, for water and coffee and milk,

and so on!

And in my deep solitude I sing praise a lot and talk to God.
Ask His help with everything I do. Bless the house and car when I go out…

 

[Miles_Christi7]

Well, praying shouldn’t be a chore for you, but more a way for you to connect with God. So search your inner self, and you will know when you want to pray.

 

[Tis_Bearself]

Should I pray in the sense that you exercise, as you get fitter you run further so should I be steadily increasing the mount I pray as I do pray more now than I did five years ago and not sure whether I should increase slightly?

I like the comparison to exercise. That’s how I think of it too.
However, when you adjust or “level up” your exercise workout, it’s not always a matter of adding more time to the workout, or more distance to your running, or whatever. It might be a case of adding new exercises or learning to do your existing workout better in the same amount of time.
If you feel you want to spend a little more time praying then you can add some time, but you might also want to consider how you can add some depth to the praying you already do. For example, if you already say a Rosary a day, think of a new way to meditate on the Mysteries, or add some Scripture-based meditations to it, and thus increase the quality rather than quantity of prayers.