... Your best tips on praying

[HeWillProvide]

What is the best tip you have for someone who really wants to “better” his prayer life?

For example, a meaningful tip given to me was, Close your eyes and visualize God simply looking at you.

 

[someoneorother]

A priest I know once said something to the effect that “rest is a fruit of praying” and I think he meant that we shouldn’t be uncomfortable when we pray. He said this when the point of discussion was on the Blessed Sacrament, and if I remember correctly, he was speaking about whether it was necessary to kneel when praying before the Sacrament.

I thought it was very helpful when I heard it, because I tended to be tense at times when praying, and now I can enjoy the peace that comes from praying, which is helpful for someone who didn’t always like to pray.

 

[crystal_waters]

i pray easiest when i am laying curled up in bed at night time with my blankets over me, i find it easier to pray in the dark and the quiet

 

[BVM_1221]

What is the best tip you have for someone who really wants to “better” his prayer life?

For example, a meaningful tip given to me was, Close your eyes and visualize God simply looking at you.

I pray the Divine Office sitting down in a comfortable chair. This enables one of my cats to sit in my lap. I think God is happier with a purring cat in my lap then my being down on my knees and uncomfortable.

I do night prayer in bed, just before going to sleep.

 

[the_phoenix]

Someone suggested to me recently in a public thread that I pray a 30 Day Rosary Novena. I put up a public response saying I would do so. I think making myself accountable in public helped me get all the way through the Novena without skipping a day. There’s strength in numbers.

 

[Thyme]

I find it best to say prayers in bed before you fall asleep, because in the back of your mind, you’re not keeping track of time.

I find it easier to pray after reflecting on a miracle, part of the Gospel or a lovely quote from a Saint. They make you appreciate God more and you are happier to pray to Him.

 

[Dorothy]

You can read a short passage from the Scripture and then just sit and reflect on it for a few minutes.

Then read it again and let it speak to you personally.

Read it again and sit quietly before the Lord, listening to what he wants to tell you about it.

Read it again and sit quietly before the Lord.

This is called “Lectio Divina” …or Divine Reading.

 

[SeekingHisHeart]

What is the best tip you have for someone who really wants to “better” his prayer life?

For example, a meaningful tip given to me was, Close your eyes and visualize God simply looking at you.

For me what has helped is(might sound weird) but pray for your prayer life daily. Also sitting in front of the Lord in the chapel allowing Him to direct your prayer… if a distraction comes no worries St Francis de Sales would say maybe you should talk to the Lord about this “distraction”

The other thing is Mary . praying the rosary daily(even if you find it dry) because it’s where Our Lady feeds us with Heavenly food- us as a baby in the womb of Mama Mary and the rosary is the umbilical cord feeding us with the nourishment we need.

sacrificial prayer also helps greatly(doesn’t have to be big) 5 min on your knees(if physically capable) offering up those 5 min for an increase in your prayer life or no salt at dinner…there are all kinds of little sacrifices to offer in love to God and this brings a closeness and love to the relationship

and St Joseph too-he’s patron Saint of the interior life

 

[Qoheleth]

What is the best tip you have for someone who really wants to “better” his prayer life?

For example, a meaningful tip given to me was, Close your eyes and visualize God simply looking at you.

If you are serious about improving your prayers go to Amazon and get a book written by Fr . Thomas Dubay. The title of the book is “Prayer Primer, Igniting A Fire Within.” This is the best book i have ever read concerning the subject of prayer!

 

[McatholicN]

Come up with a daily prayer schedule.

 

[Snugglebugmom]

I pray while doing the dishes. This quote is why:

He who labors as he prays lifts his heart to God with his hands.

– St. Benedict of Nursia

I talk to God all day long, but I make a point of it to offer prayers for those who need it (the holy souls in purgatory, sinners the world over, our priests, etcetera) at specific moments during my day. When I clean my home, I pray for those who may need it.
It may sound really trite, but while I am doing the dishes, or any other housework, really (I’m a stay-at-home-mom) I am always profoundly conscious of how these little, seemingly meaningless actions, serve my family. I combine them with serving my God, and hopefully through my prayers, my fellow man.
Hope this helps some.

 

[puzzleannie]

just do it
–Cher

really it is the best advice. set aside a regular time each day for prayer, no matter how short, as long as you stick with it consistently, preserve that time jealously, and pray as you can, not as you ought.

 

[Prairie_Rose]

I was having trouble myself - it seemed like my prayers were the same old thing, like a broken record.
So I started “collecting” prayers from different sources and wrote them down onto cardstock and I carried them with me and tucked them into the books I was reading, placed them on the kitchen windowsill, on the bathroom vanity, etc…
After using the cards for awhile, I started to be more creative with my “ad lib” prayers.
I don’t use the cards as much, but I still use them when I need inspiration.