As we grow together as a prayer community, we also will each grow individually as we create space within ourselves for quiet prayer. In this time of year, as we continue through the Christmas season, it can be a challenge to step away from the many demands of the world around us and focus our eyes and hearts on God.
In the words of St. Therese of Lisieux, “For me prayer is a surge of the heart, it is a simple look towards Heaven, it is a cry of recognition and of love, embracing both trial and joy.” Today, spend time in silent contemplation, looking toward heaven.
Comment below with your thoughts:
Where in your day do you seek quiet? How do you turn your heart toward Heaven in prayer? Who do you turn to as a model for forming the habit of recognizing God in your day?
or, simply answer:
Did you pray today?
I prayed in the stillness of dispatch this morning.
I prayed during morning mass today.
I am prayed in Adoration before the Blessed Sacrament this morning. Such a privilege to be there with the Lord….depending on and trusting in Him and Our Blessed Mother to draw me closer while changing my heart!
Prayed at 6am. New Year’s Resolution was to get up 1/2 early to have time, before the house came alive, to pray.
I pray in the morning before the sun awakens. Throughout the day little chime alarms each hour to remind me to pray for my husband. This prayer practice slows me down, reconnects me with my faith, my gratitude for my husband each hour. It’s a small task that I feel has strengthened my relationship with my husband but also with God.
I get up an hour earlier and turn to Him first thing, bleary-eyed though I may be. With my teacup in hand, I read my devotionals, meditate on the day’s readings, and thank Him for another day in which to serve. My husband and I then say the Rosary together.
I pray every day, mostly before I fall asleep. I am asking God to be the Shepherd that goes after the one lost sheep. My husband is lost, spiritually, as far as I can tell.
Praying with you, Sarah!
I pray every day, mostly at night, as I fall asleep. I am asking God to be the Shepherd that goes looking for the one lost sheep. I feel my husband is lost spiritually.
In the stillness of early morning, I sent up my prayers. I was a little rushed, but my pleas were heartfelt and I know I’m forgiven if they were brief. My quiet morning devotion time… How I wish it lasted all day!
I often think about how I can extend that feeling through the day. Working on it myself this month.
I pray mainly early morning as I find myself falling asleep murmuring prayers at night after putting my children down to sleep…. I pray many times during the day as the blind man of the gospel ” Jesus , have mercy on me, help me see” I know if I see through his eyes, all my trials and fears , judgments , misconceptions, anger and resentments , will be cleansed , will become the true cross I am meant to be carrying with His help , not alone, not ashamed but full with holy joy… it is just very hard at times 🙂 most of the times… so I keep lifting this little prayer , and rest in His promises of His divine Providence
I look to my husband as a model of prayer. He prays all day long as he goes about his business and has such a close relationship with God. I am so much more of a “Martha” than a “Mary” personality, and it’s sometimes so hard for me to take time to just be at the feet of Jesus. My husband’s example reminds me of how important it is to talk to God and to listen to Him if I really want to have a relationship with Him.
I like the morning! I get out my Liturgy of the House and I say morning prayer, and then I go on to my other devotions. There’s something about the morning that’s just really lovely. I also love prayer right before bed though, with my journal and the quiet of completed day.
Me too!
Early mornings you will find me in pray enjoying the solitude before the family and the village come to life.
I have developed a prayer habit through the years, but it is a bit random and cluttered. With GOOD devotions (ie the Rosary), intercession for family and friends, Spiritual reading, etc.. This year I want to spend more time in quiet and adoration. Not just when I am “inspired.” I want to learn to listen more and chatter less, even though I know God loves my chatter as much as I loved my children’s endless chatter when they were very young!
I’m still trying to find my quiet and stillness in prayer. It’s hard to find either with 5 kids. Most of my prayers of thanks, forgiveness, petitions are said in hurried breath during breakfast, while driving, or while settling the kids down for dinner or bed.
I love the morning. I pray the first hour of the day from the Liturgy of the Hours then I sit in silence. Sometimes I put on Audrey Assad whose voice sends me straight to heaven. I journal and I read the daily BIS devotion. Throughout the day I pray the other hours and offer up my work for others. At night, the examen, rosary and just thanking God for the day. Not perfect everyday but even doing half keeps me connected to God in the quiet place in my soul.
I enjoy an hour of early morning prayer, watching through dawn, hearing the first bird song, seeing the first light, contemplation, preparing myself for the day and devotions. If I miss this start to the day I’m sad and I find myself searching for the sanctuary of silence for the rest of the day. I’m currently reading ‘A month with Christ by J Murray Elwood’ I read a section each morning and afterwards meditate while adding a touch of colour to the book’s black and white grainy pictures with my coloured pencils. I’ve read this book several times but always enjoy going back to it. I’m prompted to pray ‘Thank you Lord for loving me, thank you for your mercy.’
I’ve been on winter break and it has been easy to find time for quiet prayer. Moving into the work week, I like praying in the evening before bed.
Thank-you for your prayers today, many blessings received. I continue to pray for your needs in morning and evening prayers. With Christmas Joy always, Diane
Yes I prayed. The reflection was timely. Thank you.
I typically tend to be more of a night prayer-er (hens why I’m writing this so late). I like the idea of closing the day with gratitude, but could definitely bookend it more intentionally with prayer as well…
Peace, Sarah
I love to seek quiet right before I go to bed every night. All the hustling and bustling in my house from my parents, siblings, and dogs, settle to a quite hum. In my room, I hear soft blowing of the humidifier and the soft rattle of the heat from the radiators. l feel cozy in my pajamas and fresh after taking a shower before bed, as I sit cross legged on my bed. In my hands I hold the my Rosary Beads and with my eyes close, I pray the Rosary, For this prayer pledge, I am committed to pray the Rosary every night. When I finish the prayer, I sit in the quite. It is the type of quite where there is peace and a spiritual life, if you listen carefully and closely, I silently talk and pray to God and Mary sitting in this quite. I do not need to speak or say a word because I know, deep down inside, they see and hear me.