2018 Prayer Pledge Introduction

As another year comes to a close, many of us are looking ahead at the new year with hope and resolution. We dream of what 2018 could hold for us and we set meaningful goals. And with the beginning of another new year, sisters, we invite you to join us once again for our annual Prayer Pledge!

What is the Prayer Pledge?

Every year, as the Blessed is She sisterhood, we dedicate the first month of the year to daily prayer. We want to begin the new year in union with Our Lord and to set Him as the center of our year and our lives.

Ultimately, this daily prayer can be whatever you desire - the rosary, Eucharistic adoration, time with your Journaling Bible, time reading your favorite prayer book, reading the daily devotions, praying from the heart - whatever helps you communicate with Jesus and learn more about Him. We also invite you to join us in this year's Prayer Pledge theme.

I'm participating in the 2018 #prayerpledge! Are you? #BISblog //Click to tweet

This Year's Theme: Forms of Prayer

To kick off 2018 in a spirit of prayer, we will be diving into the four different forms of prayer: adoration, contrition, thanksgiving, and supplication. These form a handy pneumonic "ACTS" to help us remember. The forms of prayer are useful for all of us. They help us make the prayers of the Church our own, they show us how to communicate with God when we don't know what to say, and they allow us to participate more fully in the Church's life and mission.

The Different Forms of Prayer

Each week, one writer will take us through one form of prayer. Every day, we will look at a different prayer from Catholic tradition that illustrates that particular form of prayer. We will reflect on that prayer and how we can incorporate the form of prayer into our relationship with Christ.

Week One: Adoration

Adoration is the first attitude of man acknowledging that he is a creature before his Creator. It exalts the greatness of the Lord who made us and the almighty power of the Savior who sets us free from evil (CCC 2628).

Week Two: Contrition

The first movement...is asking forgiveness... It is a prerequisite for righteous and pure prayer. A trusting humility brings us back into the light of communion between the Father and his Son Jesus Christ, and with one another... (CCC2631).

Week Three: Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving characterizes the prayer of the Church which, in celebrating the Eucharist, reveals and becomes more fully what she is... every event and need can become an offering of thanksgiving. (CCC 2637-2638).

Week Four: Supplication

When we share in God's saving love, we understand that every need can become the object of petition. Christ...is glorified by what we ask the Father in his name (CCC2633).

How Do I Participate?

Ready to pray with us?! The first step is to sign up below to receive the prayer pledge posts to your email each day.

Then, pray and reflect in community with your BIS sisters:

• Facebook Regional Groups - We will be chatting about the Prayer Pledge throughout the month of January in our Facebook Regional Groups. If you haven't joined us there yet, find your region here.
• Selah Journal - The Selah Journal gives you lots of space to journal and reflect on the daily prayers.
• Participate on Social Media - Use the hashtag #prayerpledge to connect with new sisters and to see how everyone else is beginning their new year with prayer
• Instagram Live - Speaking of social media, every day during the prayer pledge, a different BIS writer will be going LIVE on Instagram to chat about that day's prayer and reflection.
• Printables - With each week, we will be offering a free downloadable resource that corresponds with that week's form of prayer. You can sign up below for today's free printable, which outlines the basics of the forms of prayer and offers some simple suggestions for prayer.

Sisterhood of Prayer

We're so excited to unite with you in prayer as we begin another blessed new year. Sign up below to make sure you don't miss any of the Prayer Pledge posts during January. We pray this month will be spiritually enriching for all of us as we strive to know, love, and serve the Lord.

Come, Holy Spirit!

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Written by Olivia Spears. Find out more about her here.

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