Daily Practices as Christians?

[JorB2]

I was wondering what all your various daily practices and study habits are for growing in the faith?

Thanks!

 

[Doug Melven]

I was wondering what all your various daily practices and study habits are for growing in the faith?

Thanks!

After walking my dog in the morning (she won't leave me alone till she gets her walk) I do about an hour of Bible study.
And while walking my dog I pray and either meditate on a Scripture or memorize a passage.

 

[TuxAme]

I pray the rosary every day. I have prayed it every day for over two years now, and I believe that Mary has helped me grow closer to Jesus in performing this task.

I also pray the Liturgy of the Hours as much as I can, but typically only get to compline (night prayer). Sometimes I get to vespers (evening prayer) as well. If done at all times every day, this accomplishes our call to pray constantly like no other method.

I also try to read Scripture (outside of these prayers) often, and I usually do this in late evening. Lately, however, I've been reading a lot of St. Augustine's works and sermons, which gets in the way of that.

 

[W2L]

I walk with the Lord.

 

[JorB2]

I pray the rosary every day. I have prayed it every day for over two years now, and I believe that Mary has helped me grow closer to Jesus in performing this task.

I also pray the Liturgy of the Hours as much as I can, but typically only get to compline (night prayer). Sometimes I get to vespers (evening prayer) as well. If done at all times every day, this accomplishes our call to pray constantly like no other method.

I also try to read Scripture (outside of these prayers) often, and I usually do this in late evening. Lately, however, I've been reading a lot of St. Augustine's works and sermons, which gets in the way of that.

Thank you, are these Catholic practices and prayers?

 

[chevyontheriver]

I was wondering what all your various daily practices and study habits are for growing in the faith?

Thanks!

Several things, but one I will mention here. It comes from St Ignatius of Loyola and is called the 'examen'.

It's an end of day taking stock of how the day went, how you succeeded or failed in your faith walk, and what you could have done differently. It's sort of an examination of conscience, but less strict and not just dwelling on sins. It takes maybe five or ten minutes and it does help to set up the next day for your walk with God.

Examen Prayer Card

 

[TuxAme]

Thank you, are these Catholic practices and prayers?

Yes. The rosary is also used by some Orthodox, but I think the Chotki (which uses the Jesus Prayer) is more popular with them. I have made use of that myself, though not with frequency.

 

[chevyontheriver]

Thank you, are these Catholic practices and prayers?

They are, but nobody can stop you if you want to do them too. The Orthodox do them too and some Anglicans, and a few other Protestants. They are effective in growing your faith and have produced great saints over the centuries.

 

[TuxAme]

I would recommend the Liturgy of the Hours to anyone. There's not much in there that would offend most non-Catholics. There's psalms, antiphons, readings, hymns, and more direct prayers. And reciting the Hours makes one feel monastic (which is far from a bad thing).

 

[teresa]

I would recommend the Liturgy of the Hours to anyone. There's not much in there that would offend most non-Catholics. There's psalms, antiphons, readings, hymns, and more direct prayers. And reciting the Hours makes one feel monastic (which is far from a bad thing).

I dont' know what the liturgy of the hours is yet. can you link me up to it?

 

[teresa]

Heres a link to a daily life review I wanted to try as well on my walk:

Jesus is the perfect life Coach/Daily Walk Evening Review

 

[TuxAme]

I dont' know what the liturgy of the hours is yet. can you link me up to it?

The Liturgy of the Hours is the "official prayer" of the Catholic Church. It's named such because there are prayers for every time of the day.

They're rather lengthy. For example, the hours that I recited last night (a few hours ago) begun with an antiphon to be sung: Lord God, be my refuge and my strength.

Next I had to read psalm 31 verses 1-6. Just before that, though, there is a verse from the gospel of Luke: Father, into your hands I commend my spirit.

Every psalm leads off with a reading- either from the New Testament or from a saint- that is meant to guide you through the psalm and meditate on its message.

Next came the second antiphon: Out of the depths I cry to you, Lord.

Afterwards, all of psalm 130, prefaced by a reading from Matthew: He will save his people from their sins.

Next comes a reading, Ephesians 4:26-27. Then there is a responsory and one final antiphon.

Every night, the same gospel canticle is recited- Luke 2:29-32. Then a prayer before the conclusion:

Lord Jesus Christ, you have given your followers an example of gentleness and humility, a task that is easy, a burden that is light. Accept the prayers and work of this day, and give us the rest that will strengthen us to render more faithful service to you who live and reign forever and ever.

Finally, the conclusion: May the all-powerful Lord grant us a restful night and a peaceful death. Amen. After that, however, is one more thing: an antiphon of the Blessed Virgin Mary (my book has eight selections- you can choose).

 

[teresa]

@TuxAme thank you, that is very lovely!

 

[JCFantasy23]

Several things, but one I will mention here. It comes from St Ignatius of Loyola and is called the 'examen'.

It's an end of day taking stock of how the day went, how you succeeded or failed in your faith walk, and what you could have done differently. It's sort of an examination of conscience, but less strict and not just dwelling on sins. It takes maybe five or ten minutes and it does help to set up the next day for your walk with God.

Examen Prayer Card

This is very interesting and sounds helpful to me - I'll looking it further and may try it myself

 

[JCFantasy23]

I try to keep the instruction of praying all day, every day, open as much as possible by keeping an open-ended prayer. When I first wake up I say a short prayer, I pray on the way to work, I pray throughout work, I pray when inspiration or thoughts occur throughout the day, and I pray before bed.

I love the Youversion app on my phone, and will randomly read a series of devotional and scripture on various topics.

Recently I have tried to increase my study and understanding for various theology and church history by free courses from different sources - right now it's mainly a few websites and Our Daily Bread Christian University. Everyone learns differently, and while I learn well from reading I'm not the best at retaining information and order in my mind, so I have a private blogger blog for Christian study. When studying these courses I make different blog posts typing out the things that stand out to me and help me organize it in my head. I also have sections for further things to look into, advice from other christians, favorite devotionals, inspirational videos, etc.

 

[Gell]

Bible studies, books, sermons and video clips

 

[Tomb523]

I just got a prayer shawl and a couple of Talit Katan's to enhance my prayer time and reminders to pray. We also just had a guest pastor at church this past Sunday who gave me some really great insights on praying. He called it Peanut Butter Prayer or Pray the Bible. In other words, you read and pray to God what you just read. It may be giving thanks for what God did/does for us, praise in recognizing He fulfills His promises or praise that He is our God. It is very powerful and it combines reading the word and prayer together.

 

[teresa]

thank you...I need to put on the prayer shawl! I think I need to do it as it would help to calm me down and soothe my sci....this then helps me to be still and be with god

 

[JorB2]

I have found the most powerful thing for me to do when studying is to write in a journal the insights I've gained and things I have learned and new perspectives on things that I have gotten after reading the bible. This I find helpful tool for learning and I always feel closer to the spirit and like I am growing. It seems to stcick too

 

[teresa]

@JorB2 writing stuff down really helps it to stick, I agree with that. I gotta find a really nice journal for that, and a beautiful space on a desk. It would be nice to design and create this beauty with flowers and pictures.

@JCFantasy23

I also have a daily devotional stickied to the bottom of my computer screen, an area called the shelf

I just click on the icon and read the daily devotional there.


Here is a very good one I enjoy and wanted to share with you:

https://www.intouch.org/read/magazine/daily-devotions