How to Pray. Five simple tips.

By Jillian Cooke, MAPM, MTh
Fr. Kolbe Missionary of the Immaculata


Prayer is such an intimate thing that it is difficult to teach others how to pray. I, for one, don't think it is really possible. We can really only teach them about prayer and set a good example. There are so many things that we mere human beings can't teach, and so we praise God for sending us the Holy Spirit!

First: Invoke the Holy Spirit. Trust the Holy Spirit.

Second: Take advantage of the quiet. All the kids asleep? Long commute? Laying awake at night? Pray. Ask the Holy Spirit to lead your prayer, your thoughts, your emotions.

Third: Be consistent and constant. The greatest prayer in the world is the surrender of our will to the will of the Lord. We wear the miraculous medal, and thus pray 24/7 for Our Lady's intercession. Prayer does not require a lot of time, only intention. Come up with something that will trigger your memory - whenever you wash your hands, whenever you turn on the stove or oven, whenever you get in the car, before meals, when a kid cries, when you arrive somewhere, etc. Before you know it your day is full of invocations... prayer. In addition, you are consistently brought back to the presence of the Spirit in your life and the comfort and power He brings.

Fourth: Be confident as talking to your dearest friend and perfect spouse. Be confident that he is closer to you than you are to yourself (paraphrasing St. Teresa), and that He will guide and protect you. Don't waste energy and time wondering if you are "praying right!" When these thoughts begin to plague you, remember that you never wonder if you and your best friend are "doing friendship" right.

Fifth: Immerse yourself in the sacraments. There is no higher form of prayer. Ask for the grace of a rich interior life, trust in the abundant graces that pour into your soul in confession and at the Holy Mass.  

Thoughts and Questions always appreciated! 
Know someone who would be interested, please share.