Annie12 Posted February 22, 2012 Share Posted February 22, 2012 I find keeping up with my prayer life difficult. I will prayer a lot for a month and then give up for a couple weeks. Does anyone else find this difficulty in their lives? What can I do? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Strictlyinkblot Posted February 22, 2012 Share Posted February 22, 2012 This is something I struggled with for a long time. Last Lent I decided to make a commitment to pray Night Prayer and one rosary. No matter what happened I would do that. Slowly I added on other prayers. Then God gave me the grace to pray more and more. I suggest you pick your favourite prayer. Personally I find the Divine Office the best but its up to you. For Lent make a commitment to say that prayer every day no matter what. You can add to it but you have to say that prayer. Even if its only one Our Father. Gradually you'll develop a discipline of prayer. If you try to do too much too soon you'll be overwhelmed. Pray your prayer slowly. God understands that we're like toddlers, one shaky step at a time. I also suggest that as your prayer time expands you try to find 15 minutes a day for quiet, mental prayer. Pick a time when you won't be interrupted and a posture you can maintain for that time. You can use meditation, rosary, scripture, The Jesus prayer, whatever works for you but say the prayer slowly and stop when something strikes you. Its just quiet time between you and God. When I find my mind wandering (and it does a lot) I just say 'Jesus, I love you'. Prayer is a conversation between friends. We have to give Him a chance to get a word in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LinaSt.Cecilia2772 Posted February 23, 2012 Share Posted February 23, 2012 I like praying the Rosary, Chaplet of Divine Mercy, and all of that fine stuff. But for me, my personal favorite way to pray is to talk to God. I talk to Him like I would if I were having a really deep conversation with one of my best friends. Some people call it charismatic prayer, but I just call it Divine Conversation. For me, it helps build that relationship with Him like it would help me build a relationship with a friend. And it's something that can happen any time of the day, when I get confused over something, or I see someone who needs Jesus, I just say to God whatever is on my mind at the exact moment it happens. And when I get on good "conversation" i can go on for a long time. And I find that whenever you make a good friend you talk to them more, well the same goes here for this method of prayer. So try to try different ways of talking to Him. I was pretty shy at first when I started this method of prayer (which is kinda ironic since God knows everything anyway), but after awhile when that relationship gets stronger it gets a lot easier to talk to Him. And remember there's no wrong way to pray. Whatever comes from the heart, mind, and soul or from any feeling can be a prayer if you offer it to Him. God can handle anything, and He will lead you on your prayer journey. Hope that helps. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Annie12 Posted February 23, 2012 Author Share Posted February 23, 2012 For me I like to pray but the distraction in my life interfre with my prayer life. I guess is there a schedule that works for you? I just can't seem to find a routine that works. I allways get off track. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beatitude Posted February 23, 2012 Share Posted February 23, 2012 Everybody will experience distractions in prayer and everybody will get tempted to put off prayer at some point in their lives. There is no special routine or secret that makes this problem go away. The problem is with us. The question is not, "Do I want to pray?" but "How badly do I want to pray? Badly enough to get up fifteen minutes earlier in the morning? Badly enough to pray for five minutes on a noisy overcrowded bus if I have nowhere else for my prayer?" I know a woman who is mother to six children and a part-time teacher. She's busy from morning till night. The only place where she gets any privacy is the toilet, pretty much. At Easter she is going away on a retreat by herself. It's her first retreat in ten years and she told me yesterday how much she is looking forward to the silent uninterrupted prayer. But she's only able to appreciate the value of that space and solitude because she has learnt to pray right in the heart of her ordinary hectic life. She prays chopping tomatoes for supper. She prays as she drives to her school. It might not 'feel' satisfying - the distractions are numerous and there is rarely any silence in her house - but she has prayed enough to know that it's not the feeling she gets from it that matters, its her willingness to consecrate her time to God as best she can. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Strictlyinkblot Posted February 23, 2012 Share Posted February 23, 2012 I get distracted a lot, especially during mental prayer. There's no magic solution or perfect routine. I find holding my rosary and/or looking at icons can help. Most of the time I just say 'God, I'm sorry I'm distracted, Jesus, I love you.' I now have a set routine because I pray the Divine Office but I do pray the hours at strange times, being a night worker. Before this I just said my prayers where ever I could fit them in, when walking along the street, checking on my patients during the night, while brushing my teeth. It is important to try to set some time aside if you can but if not you can pray anywhere. Would you consider for Lent making a commitment to say one particular prayer, rosary Divine Mercy chaplet, or whatever you like a day? By the end of Lent you'll hopefully want to continue and add more. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Byzantine Posted February 24, 2012 Share Posted February 24, 2012 [quote name='Annie12' timestamp='1329938443' post='2391256'] I find keeping up with my prayer life difficult. I will prayer a lot for a month and then give up for a couple weeks. Does anyone else find this difficulty in their lives? What can I do? [/quote] I'd talk with a spiritual director. Preferably the one who hears your confession. Set a rule with them and if you feel like a change is in order talk it over with them. Seems to work decently for me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Annie12 Posted February 24, 2012 Author Share Posted February 24, 2012 How do you find a spiritual director? My dioceses is quite small so I'm not sure how to go about it. I tried to find one but I couldn't. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarysLittleFlower Posted February 24, 2012 Share Posted February 24, 2012 Maybe ask your pastor if he has any recommendations for a spiritual director? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarysLittleFlower Posted February 24, 2012 Share Posted February 24, 2012 I want to pray more too.. I love praying the Rosary but I wish I did it more often. I keep on planning to pray it every day and then I feel too tired, I think I should really not leave it till the evening. (that's one way to get yourself to pray, get up early in the morning to pray ) I also like to pray while on the bus, walking, etc, especially having a conversation with God and just talking to Him in my own words. My favourite 'structured' prayers are the Rosary and Divine Mercy chaplet, and the Sacred Heart devotion. I think that maybe getting up early in the morning to pray is a good idea, and it's a great way to start the day Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Byzantine Posted February 24, 2012 Share Posted February 24, 2012 [quote name='Annie12' timestamp='1330124703' post='2392537'] How do you find a spiritual director? My dioceses is quite small so I'm not sure how to go about it. I tried to find one but I couldn't. [/quote] [quote name='MarysLittleFlower' timestamp='1330127681' post='2392578'] Maybe ask your pastor if he has any recommendations for a spiritual director? [/quote] I'd just go with your pastor. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nola Seminarian Posted February 27, 2012 Share Posted February 27, 2012 [quote name='Annie12' timestamp='1329938443' post='2391256'] I find keeping up with my prayer life difficult. I will prayer a lot for a month and then give up for a couple weeks. Does anyone else find this difficulty in their lives? What can I do? [/quote] if you are finding it difficult to persevere in prayer, ask God tor the Grace to want to pray. God wants us to pray as we are and not as we are not. so if you are going through a dry spell in prayer, ask God to make you want to pray. it is ok to want to not to be in a dry spell, but be accepting of what he gives you. If God keeps you in a dry spell its because he wants you to go through it for the purpose of making your faith stronger (stronger than fire tried gold). If all you can muster for a week or two is that tiny prayer that says "God I'm having a hard time praying right now, but please Lord give me the desire to pray." then He will satisfy your longing good measure and flowing over. Just remember that the best prayer is a sincere one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nola Seminarian Posted February 27, 2012 Share Posted February 27, 2012 [quote name='Annie12' timestamp='1330124703' post='2392537'] How do you find a spiritual director? My dioceses is quite small so I'm not sure how to go about it. I tried to find one but I couldn't. [/quote] as to this, you pastor is usually good, or if you have a priest that you prefer for confession just go up and ask Father if he would be able to do it . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tally Marx Posted February 27, 2012 Share Posted February 27, 2012 (edited) [quote name='Annie12' timestamp='1330124703' post='2392537'] How do you find a spiritual director? My dioceses is quite small so I'm not sure how to go about it. I tried to find one but I couldn't. [/quote] I believe your bishop keeps a list of spiritual directors. You could call and inquire. Or you can ask a priest you are comfortable with if he will direct you, assuming you have not already. Edited February 27, 2012 by Tally Marx Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FutureSister2009 Posted February 28, 2012 Share Posted February 28, 2012 I have the same problem. Even though I am so overbooked with schoolwork, I do try to fit in prayer time every chance I get. I do need to make more time for God. I do attend our Adoration here on campus and I go to Daily Mass whenever I can and I always go to Mass on Sunday too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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