Six Ways to Make Time to Pray

November 07, 2012 by Pat Gohn

Continued from Page 1

Put a short devotional prayer book on your meal table. I've got this one for the Year of Faith from Magnificat tucked inside the napkin holder on the family table. I read aloud a page—just a page—a night. And yes, I've missed a few nights when I've been out. Remember, keep your goals small and doable: Read just a page. Find a page-a-day resource to share with your loved ones. (Families: Lisa Hendey, one of our bloggers at Patheos has a new mini-book for Advent that would be perfect for this. Mark your calendar: Advent starts December 2.)

Plan to go on a retreat. A retreat is like a spa-treatment for the soul. Don't deny yourself this gift any longer. This is the Year of Faith and you deserve it! Take a weekend away to be alone with the Lover of your soul.

Shop around for a Catholic retreat house. Take a small portion of your vacation time and budget and go. If you cannot afford it, ask someone to sponsor you—like your pastor. Or ask a relative to "gift" you for your birthday or for Christmas the next time they ask what they can give you. Then promise to pray for your benefactor.

There are many one-day retreats or days of renewal at local parishes or dioceses. Get online or read the diocesan paper for event listings. Or ask for recommendations by talking to the priests or people in your parish. You'll find different styles of retreats that fit different kinds of needs and temperaments. Some retreats feature talks and discussions with other people on the retreat. Some are silent, where you just meet with a spiritual director now and again. Then you spend time at Mass, and in quiet reading, praying, or thinking.

Don't be afraid. Go!

Prayer maintains our friendship with God. Like a sacred appointment, we tend to stay faithful to the things we actually commit to and add to our daily and monthly calendars. I saw a bumper sticker that held a surprising amount of wisdom on this subject: "Know Jesus, know peace. No Jesus, no peace."

Book your appointment with God today!

For more resources for the Year of Faith, check out my previous column on the subject, or visit Patheos' Year of Faith page.

Page: 2 of 2

12/2/2022 9:05:40 PM

Year of Faith

Catholic

A Word in Season

Prayer

Ritual

Christianity

Roman Catholicism

more at patheos

The Significance of Ideas – Part 1

Richard Simmons

The First Eucharistic Controversy: Christ’s Real Presence

William Hemsworth

Mt. Olivet Baptist Church VBS: A Closer Look, Hard Questions

Leah D. Schade

"Who is the Real Jacques Derrida?" And Paradise Regained?

Dan Peterson

About Pat Gohn

Pat Gohn is a Catholic writer, speaker, and the host of the Among Women Podcast and blog. Her book Blessed, Beautiful and Bodacious: Celebrating the Gift of Catholic Womanhood is published by Ave Maria Press.

Patheos Logo Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In Subscription Support

Subscription Support Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In

Follow Patheos