7 ways to make time for prayer

by Connie Rossini

St. Francis in Prayer Before the Crucifix  by El Greco (Photo:Wikimedia Commons).

Are you having trouble finding time for prayer every day? Here are some suggestions.

1. Ask yourself whether daily prayer is your top priority.

If you don’t see the need for prayer, you won’t be faithful to it. Prayer doesn’t take us away from our duties; it gives us strength to fulfill them. No matter what your vocation or how busy it keeps you, God wants to strengthen you in it through prayer. If you have a hard time seeing the importance of prayer, (re-)read Why should you pray?.

2. Simplify your life.

We are all too busy with work, volunteering, and socializing. Cut out some of your unnecessary activities. Reduce the number of events you chauffeur your kids to. In extreme cases, you may have to consider a job change so work doesn’t devour your life. Do whatever you must to slow down and refocus your life on Christ. You won’t be sorry you did.

What about material possessions? Do you own so much that you spend all your “free” time caring for your stuff? Give some of your goods to the poor and really free up your time. What can you do without?

3. Turn off the TV and computer.

If you have time for your favorite program, you have time for prayer. A 30-minute conversation with Christ will refresh you more than a sitcom. Maybe you only read blogs like this one. St. Frances de Sales cautioned people against thinking they were holy simply because they read a lot of spiritual books. The same could be said of reading Catholic blogs in our day. Is it time to switch off the computer and put your faith into practice?

 

Continue reading at  Contemplative Homeschool.