daily prayer schedule

[MoNiCa4316]

(I apologize for making so many threads today. lol. It seems the more I'm stressed with studying the more thread ideas I get)

Do you tend to just pray whenever you decide to, or do you have a prayer schedule/plan for the day? I generally just 'talk' to God in my head but I find I need a plan for more formal prayers (like the Rosary). What are some prayers that you like to say every day, and how do you make yourself actually do it? For the longest time I've wanted to do the Morning Offering, and I always forget maybe I should tape it to my desk or something

 

[Anhelyna]

See my suggestion in your other thread

 

[adajoy]

(I apologize for making so many threads today. lol. It seems the more I'm stressed with studying the more thread ideas I get)

Do you tend to just pray whenever you decide to, or do you have a prayer schedule/plan for the day? I generally just 'talk' to God in my head but I find I need a plan for more formal prayers (like the Rosary). What are some prayers that you like to say every day, and how do you make yourself actually do it? For the longest time I've wanted to do the Morning Offering, and I always forget maybe I should tape it to my desk or something

Most of the time I just pray whenever I decide to. Sometimes I follow a schedule, but it doesn't last long. A month or so ago, for around 9 days, at night I would say a prayer to St Therese. I would also talk to God and say the litany of humility. Sometimes I would add in the chaplet of st michael.
Another time I'd get up early in the morning, read/pray some psalms, and watch the mass on EWTN.
Sadly, any time I try to stick to something, I don't.
Putting it on your desk sounds like a good idea, or a wall! Then you will see it all the time, and remember to do it.
I kind of feel like another time of me setting up some time for prayer is coming, but I just have to get myself to do it.
Maybe you could memorize the morning offering, and right away, once you get out of bed, say it? Sometimes I think that if I knew more formal prayers by memory, that would help me to say them more. It is hard with not feeling too into it though. :o I guess when I get desperate...I try to pray a lot.
Recently, most of the time I just pray just before I go to sleep...I say a few of my own words or sentences. Sometimes there may be a spontaneous moment in my day where I might pray. It's better than nothing, right? And also the desire and hope in me never leaves that I wish I could have more of a better prayer life. I hate to admit this, but I am just being honest. (I hate to admit it because I don't devote enough time to prayer and I have lots of time and I know I could if I forced myself to...but I do what I can...)

 

[Davidnic]

(I apologize for making so many threads today. lol. It seems the more I'm stressed with studying the more thread ideas I get)

Do you tend to just pray whenever you decide to, or do you have a prayer schedule/plan for the day? I generally just 'talk' to God in my head but I find I need a plan for more formal prayers (like the Rosary). What are some prayers that you like to say every day, and how do you make yourself actually do it? For the longest time I've wanted to do the Morning Offering, and I always forget maybe I should tape it to my desk or something

Now remember I work overnights so I am up early. And these times vary 20-30 min depending on my daughters schedule and other things but it is my attempted and usually achieved practice. In italics are the ones that I get to everyday except in rare circumstances and if I miss them at one time I move them around. The Rosary, Scripture Reading, Reflection of the four Virtues of Joseph, prayers for family and prayers to my wife's patron (Nicholas) and Guardian Angel of my daughter are done no matter what, as well as the morning one in remembrance of my son.



3:00 Am: Rosary

6:00 Am:

Divine Office Morning Prayer
Morning Offering
Prayer of Spouses For Each Other
Prayer for a Child
Prayer for a Child in Heaven in remembrance of my son
Prayers to the Sacred Heart
Prayer to St. Michael and Gabriel
A proper Canon or Akathist depending on the day
Prayer to my and my child's Guardian Angels
Angelus
Scripture Reading
Silent conversation with God or resting in His presence​

9:00 Am:

Office Mid-morning
Pause and think on St. Josephs Fidelity to Grace
Silent conversation with God or resting in His presence
​

Noon:

Office Mid-day
Reflect on St. Joseph's Interior Life
Silent conversation with God or resting in His presence
Daily Examen of actions up until that point
Angelus
Scripture Reading
​

3:00 PM:

Office of Readings
Reflect on St. Joseph's love for Mary
Prayers for spouse
Prayer to St. Nicholas
Prayer to the Holy Family
Silent conversation with God or resting in His presence
Rosary​

6:00 PM:

Office for Evening
Reflect on St. Joseph's love for Christ
Memorae
Angelus
Silent conversation with God or resting in His presence
​

9:00 PM:

Office for Night
Suspice
Rosary with wife
Various bedtime prayers
Daily Examen since noon
Scripture Reading Lectio Divina
Silent conversation with God or resting in His presence​

When I was young and discerning a vocation I started doing the Office. It helped to teach me prayer times and structure in it. But the prayers I do and say have varied all my life. The important thing is that even in the most hectic times I stop and raise my mind to God at waking, 9am, noon, 3pm, 6pm, 9pm (usually this is sleep) and midnight if awake.

Just remember to think of Him and talk to Him during the day. Use structured prayers if they help but develop the habit of thinking of Him, even if for just a moment at times that are structured.

 

[adajoy]

Davidnic: Wow! That's a lot...I wish I could do something like that.

 

[Davidnic]

Davidnic: Wow! That's a lot...I wish I could do something like that.

Like I said it is what I shoot for and actually achieve it more as I grow older. I usually do my rosary out loud during the day as I take care of my daughter. And I have a little non-blessed rope one that I have since if she gets it, she won’t eat a bead or something. I was busy at 3pm the other day getting stuff ready for an event and she took it out of my pocket and said “hi Mary” and handed it to me. I looked at her and said: “thank you honey, yes it is time to say hi.”

But I just highly recommend setting aside specific times where the mindset is: "No matter what I enter God's presence in my heart at this time, even if just for a few seconds"

That makes all the difference and makes adding things to the structure when you have time much easier than we think.

Three times a day: On waking and sleeping and one other enter God's presence and also set aside 20 min for Scripture a day.

That would be my thoughts of starting a schedule.

faithful but flexible is the key. Like normally I can pray at work at 6am but it is exam time and the Library is busy even now. So I had to divide up the 6am prayers into chunks starting earlier and won't get to do the Morning Divine Office until 8am.

 

[Davidnic]

And remember always prayer is relationship. It is our relationship with God. Like Sister Rita Ann told me once when I apologized for interrupting her prayers...Life is prayer it can not be interrupted, except by sin.

So we must make our lives a prayer, a living relationship with God. And if we do that then it gets hard to sin because we are conscious of the interruption in the relationship. We often think of prayer as the active times, but our hearts must passively rest in His arms and this is often so much harder than the active part. And it builds our trust in the Lord to rest our heart in Him passively. Kind of an Active rest in love, if that makes sense.

 

[Memento Mori]

I usually start praying in the shower.

I've been praying the Rosary in the afternoon, with a little spiritual reading and meditation. Toward evening I pray the Rosary of the Holy Wounds and make an examination of conscience.

That's it for now, in terms of vocal prayer. I try to live in God's presence throughout the day and listen for Him in silence.

David's schedule looks great. Praying the hours seems like a wonderful practice. I ordered a breviary for the Little Office of the BVM and can't wait to dive in.

 

[JacktheCatholic]

And remember always prayer is relationship. It is our relationship with God. Like Sister Rita Ann told me once when I apologized for interrupting her prayers...Life is prayer it can not be interrupted, except by sin.

So we must make our lives a prayer, a living relationship with God. And if we do that then it gets hard to sin because we are conscious of the interruption in the relationship. We often think of prayer as the active times, but our hearts must passively rest in His arms and this is often so much harder than the active part. And it builds our trust in the Lord to rest our heart in Him passively. Kind of an Active rest in love, if that makes sense.

 

[JourneyToPeace]

Most of my days lately have unintentionally become "prayer days" from the time I get up until the time I sleep. I've found myself talking to God, praying to Mary, praying to the saints... honestly, a lot of it's been much-needed prayer, but I've found that because of it, it's brought me closer to God. I just look around and see a lot of hurt, a lot of confusion, a lot of sorrow. I know many families right now who are hurting, broken, disconnected, missing people, about to lose people... and my heart's been going out to them, and going out to God for them. Prayer never seems to be far from my lips and heart, these days. I guess that's a good thing.

It's not formalized. It's not on a schedule right now. Maybe later in my life, it might be. But for now, it just comes as it comes, through the day. Sometimes a spoken prayer. Sometimes one I think. Or sing. Or feel. Or share with someone else.... but God's never far, so I thank Him for that.

Family members and friends who don't understand say that I'm getting through life, day by day, because I'm "talking to my invisible friend". I've told them that they're mistaken -- His work in my life is too visible to mistake it.

 

[JourneyToPeace]

And remember always prayer is relationship. It is our relationship with God. Like Sister Rita Ann told me once when I apologized for interrupting her prayers...Life is prayer it can not be interrupted, except by sin.

So we must make our lives a prayer, a living relationship with God. And if we do that then it gets hard to sin because we are conscious of the interruption in the relationship. We often think of prayer as the active times, but our hearts must passively rest in His arms and this is often so much harder than the active part. And it builds our trust in the Lord to rest our heart in Him passively. Kind of an Active rest in love, if that makes sense.

Amen.

By the way, David, the pictures of your sweet little girl napping in your signature are absolutely gorgeous.

 

[MoNiCa4316]

Thanks for the replies everyone

I find that these days I generally pray to God silently for much of the day, just as I'm going about my day and getting things done, going places, etc... but I don't do enough formal prayer, and I need to spend time with God more - where I'm not praying but just listening to Him. I want to spend some time every morning and afternoon and do the Morning Offering, the Rosary, 7 Sorrows chaplet, and Divine Mercy chaplet. I guess I just need to organize my time in the right way

 

[JimR-OCDS]

Thanks for the replies everyone

I find that these days I generally pray to God silently for much of the day, just as I'm going about my day and getting things done, going places, etc... but I don't do enough formal prayer, and I need to spend time with God more - where I'm not praying but just listening to Him. I want to spend some time every morning and afternoon and do the Morning Offering, the Rosary, 7 Sorrows chaplet, and Divine Mercy chaplet. I guess I just need to organize my time in the right way

Quiet interior prayer is important, if you desire to grow closer to God.

St. Teresa of Avila said something to the effect that, although there may be those who reach contemplation through the use of discursive(vocal formal prayers), mental prayer is the surest path, for it is in the depth of our being that God speaks to us best.

I think a scheduled time for prayer is the only way to give yourself time enough to do mental prayer.


Jim