Starting a prayer life

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mphill85

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Not long ago when I started attending church again and still struggling with sins and temptations from my teenage life, my pastor at the church I attend asked me about my prayer life. I told him that I really didn’t pray (except at evening meals with my grandparents, and those were few and far between). I have asked (didn’t consider it a prayer at the time, being the church dropout I was) God for help once or twice. I kept God in my mind but I was so focused on him (as in trying to figure out how not to upset him) that I didn’t leave any room for Jesus Christ.

As a gift my pastor gave me a Rosary, blessed it, and as part of my penance told me to use the Rosary. I prayed the Rosary (though I think I might of messed up something) as soon as I got home. Only problem is that was the only time I prayed the Rosary. Ever since its been sitting in the little satchel my pastor gave me.

One of the ways I learn something is by watching people. However, I do not think CAF supports personal video uploads yet. But I would like to see (which in this case is read) what kinds of prayer life’s other people have. Hopefully by picking up on what other people do, I can pick up my Rosary again. 🙂
 
mphill85 said:
Not long ago when I started attending church again and still struggling with sins and temptations from my teenage life, my pastor at the church I attend asked me about my prayer life. I told him that I really didn’t pray (except at evening meals with my grandparents, and those were few and far between). I have asked (didn’t consider it a prayer at the time, being the church dropout I was) God for help once or twice. I kept God in my mind but I was so focused on him (as in trying to figure out how not to upset him) that I didn’t leave any room for Jesus Christ.

As a gift my pastor gave me a Rosary, blessed it, and as part of my penance told me to use the Rosary. I prayed the Rosary (though I think I might of messed up something) as soon as I got home. Only problem is that was the only time I prayed the Rosary. Ever since its been sitting in the little satchel my pastor gave me.

One of the ways I learn something is by watching people. However, I do not think CAF supports personal video uploads yet. But I would like to see (which in this case is read) what kinds of prayer life’s other people have. Hopefully by picking up on what other people do, I can pick up my Rosary again. 🙂
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A set of thoughts, in some order, hopefully a help:
  • Prayer is conversation with God
  • Prayer is one way we draw closer to God during the day.
  • Unity with God - Holiness - is our call…we are all called to pursue holiness.
  • There are many forms of prayer. The goal of life is to learn how to turn all we do into prayer, as various forms of unity with God.“pray always”, “rejoice always”…it’s in Scripture).
  • Vocal prayers (e.g., memorized) are the “door openers”. They get you going…and when they are memorized they allow a deeper opening up to occur…and the words themselves give us some ideas and inspirations about what to say to God…we thank Him, we adore Him, we ask for His forgiveness.
  • Mental prayer…is more conversational. Think “chit chat”…the conversation between a child of God and his or her Father. Chatter to Him about everything…your weaknesses, your desires, your joys, sorrows, practical problems, impending decisions.
  • Turn your work into prayer. Give an assigned task a supernatural intention (God please accept this work for the health of all expectant mothers).
  • “Spread” your approaches to God…various prayers…out like a fan across the day. Morning offering, a short prayer at noon…(e.g., The Angelus, The Regina Coeli, or some prayer), prayers at meals, a period of undistracted mental prayer…(conversation about your day, worries…say 10-15 minutes every day…work up to it), a brief exam before going to bed, The Rosary at some point during the day…or a couple of decades.
The toughest one is probably mental prayer…but it seems to yield the greatest help. Don’t fret over distractions…keep turning back to our Lord. Imagine the joy on His face when we turn back…just the way a generous father would do if his child kept trying to say something but kept getting distracted!!

Good luck.
 
One way I love to pray is to go to adoration and just sit in the quiet with our Lord and let him know I am just sitting there with him…
 
Edward_H said:
A set of thoughts, in some order, hopefully a help:
  • Prayer is conversation with God
  • Prayer is one way we draw closer to God during the day.
  • Unity with God - Holiness - is our call…we are all called to pursue holiness.
  • There are many forms of prayer. The goal of life is to learn how to turn all we do into prayer, as various forms of unity with God.“pray always”, “rejoice always”…it’s in Scripture).
  • Vocal prayers (e.g., memorized) are the “door openers”. They get you going…and when they are memorized they allow a deeper opening up to occur…and the words themselves give us some ideas and inspirations about what to say to God…we thank Him, we adore Him, we ask for His forgiveness.
  • Mental prayer…is more conversational. Think “chit chat”…the conversation between a child of God and his or her Father. Chatter to Him about everything…your weaknesses, your desires, your joys, sorrows, practical problems, impending decisions.
  • Turn your work into prayer. Give an assigned task a supernatural intention (God please accept this work for the health of all expectant mothers).
  • “Spread” your approaches to God…various prayers…out like a fan across the day. Morning offering, a short prayer at noon…(e.g., The Angelus, The Regina Coeli, or some prayer), prayers at meals, a period of undistracted mental prayer…(conversation about your day, worries…say 10-15 minutes every day…work up to it), a brief exam before going to bed, The Rosary at some point during the day…or a couple of decades.
The toughest one is probably mental prayer…but it seems to yield the greatest help. Don’t fret over distractions…keep turning back to our Lord. Imagine the joy on His face when we turn back…just the way a generous father would do if his child kept trying to say something but kept getting distracted!!

Good luck.
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Inspiring post, Edward.
 
Prayer is a conversation with God, sometimes you talk, sometimes you listen. I will sit in my room and chat to God as I would to a very close friend. I tell Him everything, how my day was, things that have annoyed me, things that made me happy or sad, things that are worrying me. I tell Him everything, not just “nice” thoughts. If I’m worried about money, I tell him. If someone has hurt me, I talk to Him about it. God is interested in everything you have to tell Him, however mundane, nothing is “off limits”. He already knows all about it, so why not discuss it with Him?

If I’m tempted to sin or have sinned, I like to read Isaiah chapter 1 verse 18, “‘Come,’ says the Lord, 'let us talk this over. Though your sins be like scarlet, they will be white as snow; though they be as crimson red, they will be white as wool.” I always find it comforting.

I find prayig the Rosary quite hard, I remember that St Therese said that it was more difficult for her to say the Rosary than to wear a hair shirt! I couldn’t really say the Rosary until I had been Catholic for a few years, because I couldn’t say the prayers without concentrating on the words. I messed it up at first too, for example the first time I said it, I thought that The Visitation was when the Angel Gabriel came to Mary… 😊 There are several websites with suggestions for meditation themes for each decade. Have a look at a few of those

When you ask about other people’s prayer life, are you asking about the methods of prayer or how often and for how long we pray? I’m happy to answer any questions you may have about mine.
 
I’d highly recommend supplementing your prayer time with consecrated study in the form of reading great Catholic spiritual books. This advnaced me greatly in my relationship with the Lord. Some suggestions would be:

Introduction to the Devout Life by St. Francis de Sales

The Diary of St. Faustina

The Fulfillment of All Desire

Imitation of Christ

My Daily Bread

As far as ideas for daily prayer, you might consider beginning the day with:

A morning offering (St. Francis de Sales has a great one, that I can post for you if you’re interested)

Reading the daily readings and an accompanying reflection (You can sign up for a daily reflection to be sent via email, or the USCCB has a video reflection on each day’s readings)

And ending with an examination of conscience (again, St. Francis de Sales has a great one)

As far as prayer during the day, talk to God constantly. If you’re super busy you can simply say ejaculatory prayers, like “Jesus, I love you” or “Jesus I trust in You.”

If your schedule allows, say the Liturgy of the Hours! (aka the Divine Office), which is a series of prayers and spiritual readings to be said at different times throughout the day. It has been said since ancient times, and is different each day, and you can get it in books or download the iPhone/iPad app (you can read or listen to audio, it’s awesome!)

Here is a Link explaining the Liturgy of the Hours:

ewtn.com/expert/answers/breviary.htm

God bless! 🙂
 
I read the Daily Readings and I read Holy Scripture for a half-hour each day. I also like lectio divina, and I often journal when I pray that way.

Sometimes I take a line or two from the Bible or something from the saints and create a Taize-like song or respond in some other creative way.

I chant too. This is one of my favorite ways to pray.

I always say my morning and evening prayers, and I say grace before meals. If I need a quick prayer, I just perform the Sign Of The Cross, which is an elegant blend of word and gesture.

I will change up my prayer schedule from time to time. Sometimes I pray a Rosary or Chaplet of Divine Mercy. The Angelus at noon is wonderful. I’ll chant Compline from time to time.
 
mphill85 said:
Not long ago when I started attending church again and still struggling with sins and temptations from my teenage life, my pastor at the church I attend asked me about my prayer life. I told him that I really didn’t pray (except at evening meals with my grandparents, and those were few and far between). I have asked (didn’t consider it a prayer at the time, being the church dropout I was) God for help once or twice. I kept God in my mind but I was so focused on him (as in trying to figure out how not to upset him) that I didn’t leave any room for Jesus Christ.

As a gift my pastor gave me a Rosary, blessed it, and as part of my penance told me to use the Rosary. I prayed the Rosary (though I think I might of messed up something) as soon as I got home. Only problem is that was the only time I prayed the Rosary. Ever since its been sitting in the little satchel my pastor gave me.

One of the ways I learn something is by watching people. However, I do not think CAF supports personal video uploads yet. But I would like to see (which in this case is read) what kinds of prayer life’s other people have. Hopefully by picking up on what other people do, I can pick up my Rosary again. 🙂
Click to expand...
Grades of Prayer by Jordan Aumann:
domcentral.org/study/aumann/st/st12.htm
 
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