Lent is here and we have discussed fasting and alms giving, so let’s take a few minutes to talk about prayer. I know many people pray, but they don’t put much thought into the “where and the how”. You can certainly pray any time and anywhere, but there is something special when you set aside a time and place for it.
Like most things in life, prayer doesn’t happen unless it’s scheduled. There are the regular times, like when you attend your weekly church service, or Bible study, or maybe before meals, but what about the rest of the time? What time do you set aside each day for spending time with God?
When I commuted to work, I used to listen to mass on the way to work in the morning. It was a quiet way to begin the day, sometimes I would pray on the way home as well, I had the 30 mins each way of ‘quiet time’ if I wanted it. When I began working remotely, I suddenly didn’t have that time and I needed to find another time in my day to pray.
My ideal time now is my daily walk. I always fit one in, even if I am pressed for time. I don’t listen to podcasts or talk on the phone, I walk and say a rosary, then with whatever time is left in my walk, I attempt to listen. I say attempt because sometimes my thoughts are too busy.
Prayer is not supposed to only be a one-way street. It’s meant to be an exchange. I can’t have an exchange when I am the only one talking. Sure, God doesn’t talk to me exactly like I talk to him, but He does communicate all the time, I just have to be paying attention. A regular prayer time/routine is helpful to have time to listen.
If you don’t already have a time set aside, pick one. It can be an earlier alarm in the morning to have time for morning prayer before the people in your world wake up, time on your commute, while doing chores or exercising. Start today, and commit to the time for the rest of Lent. By Easter, you will have created a new habit, a new pocket of time to spend with the Lord. Both of you will be grateful.
