The Catechism of the Catholic Church describes prayer as a “vital and personal relationship with the living and true God” (CCC, no. 2558). It should be seen as our “lifeline of connection” to the Triune God who deeply desires to be in intimate relationship with us.
As important as prayer is, it is not easy and can be quite a challenge to make it a priority. There always seems to be distractions and other responsibilities pulling us away from connecting with God.
Yet, if we want to be true followers of Christ and embrace our call as missionary disciples, we must incorporate prayer into the rhythm of our day.
In practicing the Four Holy Habits as presented by Bishop Donald J. Hying in the Go Make Disciples initiative, we ought to pray at least 15 minutes a day.
Such prayer can take on many expressions — private and public prayer, vocal or mental prayer, even contemplative prayer.
According to the Catechism, there are several types of prayer:
1. Blessing and Adoration — Praising God’s greatness;
2. Petition — Asking God for help;
3. Intercession — Praying for others;
4. Thanksgiving — Expressing gratitude to God;
5. Praise — Acknowledging God’s goodness.
Different times during the day and circumstances of life may draw us to a particular expression, but the most important thing is to integrate all these types as the Holy Spirit inspires and directs us.
St. Francis de Sales, an outstanding preacher, teacher, and Doctor of the Church, stressed the importance of prayer to all those he guided in the spiritual life.
His book, Introduction to the Devout Life, is a classic for anyone serious about growing in the Faith and helping others to draw closer to Christ.
Here are a few practical tips Saint Francis gives to help regularize one’s prayer life:
1. Begin prayer by placing yourself in the presence of God — Acknowledge God’s presence and cultivate an awareness of the close intimacy that the Lord wishes us to have in relationship with Him.
2. Commit to a specific period of prayer each day, preferably in the morning — Consciously commit to a specific time by making an “appointment with God” and considering it a top priority on your “daily to-do” list.
3. Find a secluded place to pray, away from others — Look for a quiet space or private place, free from interruptions, that you dedicate to prayer.
4. Focus on quality, not quantity — Keep it simple and try not to say many words, but rather say a few with your whole heart and soul.
5. If you can’t pray in the morning, find a suitable alternative later in the day — If you cannot pray in the morning, set aside time later but perhaps try to intersperse short prayers throughout the day as a reminder of God’s continual loving presence with you.
Scripture can be a great source of inspiration for prayer. Meditating on the Gospel reading of the day or perhaps a Psalm can provide spiritual nourishment for personal reflection.
The Rosary is another beautiful way to pray.
Pope St. John Paul II taught that through this Marian prayer we learn to “contemplate the face of Christ” by meditating upon its mysteries.
The five decades can be recited all at once or be broken up to be prayed at different times.
You might recite a decade as you wake up and another later in the morning. You can pray another decade at noon, and a fourth sometime in the afternoon. Before going to bed, you can recite the fifth decade.
The amazing thing about prayer is the more you do it the more you will desire to pray. And the more you pray the less you tend to worry.
Why is that?
Prayer helps us to recognize that ultimately, we are not in charge of things. It gradually deepens our trust in the Lord.
That is why the saints were artisans of prayer and were able to do so much. They came to understand that prayer allows them to be channels of grace to flow in and through them to others.
As we seek to evangelize the lost, the lonely, and those longing for God, we must be committed pray-ers.
We simply cannot give away what we do not possess!
Daily prayer will bring us into a closer relationship with God and help us recognize Christ in all those we encounter.
It can transform our life if we make the commitment to integrate it as part of our everyday existence.
Michael D. Wick is the Diocese of Madison director of mission.