Posted on 09/13/2010 9:57:19 AM PDT by DogwoodSouth
The topic for this week's session of Good Cheer is "praying in college." Praying regularly is something that we have to plan for and work into our busy schedules. We can always help each other out with suggestions and tips on praying. So, how do you pray? Where do you pray? What are your favorite prayers? What are your tips for praying with a busy schedule? Leave your answers in the comments. Feel free to do so anonymously.
My favorite prayer has to be the Chaplet of Divine Mercy. I like to pray at night, when the house is quiet.
My best prayer tip is: write it on your schedule! We all love to give ourselves excuses, etc. I think a schedule of prayer is important. The earliest Christians were on to something when they followed the set prayer times of the temple because it kept them on a schedule. I guess that is why the Catholic Church encourages even lay people to pray the Liturgy of the Hours - the same ideas of scheduled prayer. We need scheduling in our hectic day-to-day.
My favorite prayer time is while on a long drive alone or when I’m out walking.
I talk to God like he is a friend walking beside me...because I believe he is.
"Yes." -How.
How do you pray?
Always.
I resumed praying as an adult because I felt the need to thank God for the gifts he’s given us. I pray the Lord’s Prayer to focus on whom I am speaking to, then I thank Him for:
the day
my life
all that He provides
My health
my family and friends
the planet and ALL people who are on it
ALL living creatures
the love that’s everywhere
the joy in my life
hope for mankind
I say it 1st thing in the morning and last thing at night in a quiet place without distractions.
One of the great values of the Scriptures is its authoritative reminder of difficult but carefully balanced truths. Public praying, while not discouraged, is not really emphasized in the Book. Private prayer, while not described in detail, is still not the most important kind of prayer discussed. It is that most intimate prayer, the prayer on our behalf by the Holy Spirit, upon which Paul places the most emphasis.
In his letter to the Romans, Paul makes it clear that we really don’t know how to pray (either for ourselves or others) because of our broken natures. This condition, existing until our final redemption, renders us lacking perfect clarity of thinking about God and ourselves. Thus, the most potent prayer occurs by the indwelling Holy Spirit searching our souls and interceding for us with the Father. Here, now is prayer.
Here is real, potent, accurate communication directly to the Father about the absolute conidition of our hearts, minds, characters. He is speaking in words beyond our utterance about our needs and failures, about our true conditions. Here is utter transparency, a prayer without limits, in “groanings” too deep for words. This is the prayer for which I am most grateful.
Y’all may not want to hear this...
But when I sincerely approach God, I pray alone, nude, in the floor of my closet. It’s how He created me, and makes me feel like I approach His throne with nothing to hide...
Bookmarked for latter reading.
In his letter to the Romans, Paul makes it clear that we really don’t know how to pray (either for ourselves or others) because of our broken natures. This condition, existing until our final redemption, renders us lacking perfect clarity of thinking about God and ourselves. Thus, the most potent prayer occurs by the indwelling Holy Spirit searching our souls and interceding for us with the Father. Here, now is prayer.
Here is real, potent, accurate communication directly to the Father about the absolute condition of our hearts, minds, characters. He is speaking in words beyond our utterance about our needs and failures, about our true conditions. Here is utter transparency, a prayer without limits, in “groanings” too deep for words. This is the prayer for which I am most grateful.
AMEN! Thank you for that elegant post, Dutchboy. I have never thought of prayer in those terms before. Because of your comment, I will now, and be the better for it.
Truly, the intercession of the Holy Spirit on our behalf is the most glorious prayer in this world.
And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God." -- Romans 8:26-27"Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
On the other hand...there are times set aside for specific dialog with the Lord...”our time”...without interruptions from the days activities and distractions. In some respects like taking a shower at the end of the day..it washes the day away and you come out refreshed and renewed. Allot of the worlds gunk sticks as we walk out into the world daily...good to wash that off with Him at days end.
Then there are people and events and times of concern we go over with Him...asking Him to intervene in the affairs of man and sometimes expressing our frustrations and fears if He does not act. Moses knew to ask and even debate His case with the Lord...we should feel free to express ours as well...He does not say to enter into His throne room for nothing, rather make our requests known to Him with confidence that He wants to here our case...and He does.
When I am alone in quiet time. I love this pray in that precious moment. I transend from the natural into the Presence of our Lord. So very very special.
" Eternal Father, I offer you the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Your Dearly Beloved Son, Our Lord, Jesus Christ, in atonement for our sins and those of the whole world."
Oh, to be able to share a beautiful time with our precious Savior.
"For the sake of His( Jesus) sorrowful Passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world."
Then to the Father thru the Son again in this manner.
"Holy God, Holy Mighty One, Holy Immortal One, have mercy on us and on the whole world."
Now after I said this 3 times once like required. I am not kidding I started to slowly but surely hear the hallellujahs continually in a soft beautiful manner from one direction. I thought I left the radio on in the room. I quickly looked. Well eventually I went to the whole house. No radio was playing in the house. This went on for about 2 minutes. The Lord I believe was showing the beautiful taste of Heaven that awaits us in his faith.
I say pray with meaning and as you go along the Holy Spirit will be along. Sometimes He will take over in a beautiful manner. Since reciting this prayer I have more Holy Revelation in my life than all the years prior. Its about 4 1/2 to maybe 5 years to almost daily pray. This prayer is truly anointed. Blessed be God!
Also thank you for such a post. So we could all share. May He always Bless you! Praise Jesus
Praying is all day. God knows our thoughts. If I have a question I simply, at the time the question comes to mind, ask in Jesus name. Often during the day I ask for God’s guidance. Just now I asked the Lord to give me the words and to make the words make sense to the person who reads this.
Then there are times that I set aside a quiet time to pray. Most of my prayers are throughout the day when I have a need, question, or think of someone or something that I think needs prayer.
That’s the beauty of having a personal relationship with Jesus. If the Spirit of God is within us it’s pretty much a constant dialogue.
"Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God." -- Romans 8:26-27"
It is so very evident that this is the Word of God! No mortal could make up such profoundly comforting thoughts. Thank you for printing them. And thanks for the kind words.
I dearly love going to the Mass Of All Ages, when I can. I can’t always, since it’s ~30 miles away. I also attend Novus Ordo Mass near home. I pray the Rosary and a Devotion or two every night. When I can, I like to add the Chaplet of Holy Wounds.
AMEN!
Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you...
These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you. But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." -- John 14:16-18,25-27"And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;
“It is possible to offer fervent prayer even while walking in public or strolling alone, or seated in your shop, . . . while buying or selling, . . . or even while cooking.”
— St. John Chrysostom
How often I failed in my duty to God, because I was not leaning on the strong pillar of prayer. - St. Teresa of Avila
The most potent and acceptable prayer is the prayer that leaves the best effects. I don't mean it must immediately fill the soul with desire . . . The best effects (are) those that are followed up by actions; when the soul not only desires the honor of God, but really strives for it. St. Teresa of Avila
We must pray without tiring, for the salvation of mankind does not depend upon material success . . . but on Jesus alone. St. Frances Xavier Cabrini
You pay God a compliment by asking great things of Him. St. Teresa of Avila
"There are more tears shed over answered prayers than over unanswered prayers." -St. Teresa of Avila
"You must ask God to give you power to fight against the sin of pride which is your greatest enemy – the root of all that is evil, and the failure of all that is good. For God resists the proud." -St. Vincent de Paul
"Pray with great confidence, with confidence based upon the goodness and infinite generosity of God and upon the promises of Jesus Christ. God is a spring of living water which flows unceasingly into the hearts of those who pray." -St. Louis de Montfort
"Whether, therefore, we receive what we ask for, or do not receive it, let us still continue steadfast in prayer. For to fail in obtaining the desires of our heart, when God so wills it, is not worse than to receive it; for we know not as He does, what is profitable to us." -St. John Chrysostom
"Pray, Hope, and Don't Worry" -St. Pio of Pietrelcino
He who labors as he prays lifts his heart to God with his hands. -- St. Benedict of Nursia
No man can attain to the knowledge of God but by humility. The way to mount high is to descend. -- Bl. Giles of Assisi
“How to pray? This is a simple matter. I would say: Pray any way you like, so long as you do pray.” (Pope John Paul II)
“Mental prayer is nothing else than an intimate friendship, a frequent heart-to-heart conversation with Him by whom we know ourselves to be loved.” (Saint Teresa of Avila)
“It is morally impossible for him who neglects meditation to live without sin.” (Saint Alphonsus)
“You must speak to Jesus not only with your lips but with your heart; in fact on certain occasions you should speak to Him only with your heart” (Saint Pio of Pietrelcina)
“You don’t know how to pray? Put yourself in the presence of God, and as soon as you have said, ‘Lord, I don’t know how to pray!’ you can be sure you’ve already begun.” (Saint Josemaría Escrivá)
I think Jesus had pretty good advice on how to pray.
What prayer could be more true before God the Father than that which the Son, who is Truth, uttered with His own lips? -Saint John Chrysostom
Who except God can give you peace? Has the world ever been able to satisfy the heart? -Saint Gerard Majell
No earthly pleasures, no kingdoms of this world can benefit me in any way. I prefer death in Christ Jesus to power over the farthest limits of the earth. He who died in place of us is the one object of my quest. He who rose for our sakes is my one desire. -Saint Ignatius of Antioch
We must meditate before, during and after everything we do. The prophet says: "I will pray, and then I will understand." This is the way we can easily overcome the countless difficulties we have to face day after day, which, after all, are part of our work. In meditation we find the strength to bring Christ to birth in ourselves and in others. - Saint Charles Borromeo
We must pray without ceasing, in every occurrence and employment of our lives - that prayer which is rather a habit of lifting up the heart to God as in a constant communication with Him. - Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton
Prayer ought to be short and pure, unless it be prolonged by the inspiration of Divine grace. - Saint Benedict
We must pray without tiring, for the salvation of mankind does not depend on material success; nor on sciences that cloud the intellect. Neither does it depend on arms and human industries, but on Jesus alone. -Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini
Look at gold: the more you melt it, the better it becomes; you could melt it until you had destroyed in it every imperfection. Thus does fire work on material things. The soul cannot be destroyed in so far as it is in God, but in so far as it is in itself it can be destroyed; the more it is purified, the more is self destroyed within it, until at last it is pure in God. -- Saint Catherine of Genoa
You do not have, because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions. -- Saint James the Lesser Apostle
What prayer could be more true before God the Father than that which the Son, who is Truth, uttered with His own lips? -Saint John Chrysostom
Daily Rosary — the peace plan of Fatima.
Examination of Conscience and Act of Contrition at the end of the day.
Yes. That or Psalm 51 . My mother would tell everyone before you go to bed say an Act Of Contrition.
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