Comments on: Make Your Life a Prayer http://anunslife.org/2009/03/11/make-your-life-a-prayer/ Catholic Sisters and Nuns in Today's World Tue, 07 Feb 2012 20:24:02 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1 By: Annie http://anunslife.org/2009/03/11/make-your-life-a-prayer/#comment-26433 Annie Thu, 19 Mar 2009 13:55:00 +0000 http://anunslife.org/?p=2048#comment-26433 Every morning I take my dog on a long walk and use the time to say my rosary. I have several, but the one that I keep in my pocket is the cheap black one that belonged to my father. He was a surgeon, so the rosary was blessed by his hands. Every morning I take my dog on a long walk and use the time to say my rosary. I have several, but the one that I keep in my pocket is the cheap black one that belonged to my father. He was a surgeon, so the rosary was blessed by his hands.

]]> By: Raquel http://anunslife.org/2009/03/11/make-your-life-a-prayer/#comment-26215 Raquel Sun, 15 Mar 2009 20:00:01 +0000 http://anunslife.org/?p=2048#comment-26215 Hi Jean well, Taizé is an ecumenical community founded (in France) in 1940. I use Taizé songs just as a soudrack for my prayers (in the car) but sometimes in that period of time prvious to my morning (in St Ignacius way) in the morning. I am Brazilian and live in Brazil, and there's a Taizé community here and I am also a member of the University Pastoral (I don't know if you use this term in English...) at the university I work at (I'm a teacher) and throght the students I had the opportunity of meeting some members of Taizé and (agian through the students ) I had the opportunity of attending some Taizé praying reunions. We pray in form of some songs (most of them are translated to English, Italian, etc) and also meditate over the Gospell. The songs are like matras, for some of them are basically one or two sentences that we reapeat about 9 times. I will leave here the link to the Taizé Community and you can download the podcats. http://www.taize.fr/en Hi Jean
well, Taizé is an ecumenical community founded (in France) in 1940. I use Taizé songs just as a soudrack for my prayers (in the car) but sometimes in that period of time prvious to my morning (in St Ignacius way) in the morning. I am Brazilian and live in Brazil, and there’s a Taizé community here and I am also a member of the University Pastoral (I don’t know if you use this term in English…) at the university I work at (I’m a teacher) and throght the students I had the opportunity of meeting some members of Taizé and (agian through the students ) I had the opportunity of attending some Taizé praying reunions. We pray in form of some songs (most of them are translated to English, Italian, etc) and also meditate over the Gospell.
The songs are like matras, for some of them are basically one or two sentences that we reapeat about 9 times.
I will leave here the link to the Taizé Community and you can download the podcats.

http://www.taize.fr/en

]]> By: Jean http://anunslife.org/2009/03/11/make-your-life-a-prayer/#comment-26179 Jean Sun, 15 Mar 2009 07:42:45 +0000 http://anunslife.org/?p=2048#comment-26179 H.R - Your post is lovely. Raquel, you mentioned keeping Taize prayers in your car. I know about Taize as a prayer service and that's all I know. Can you tell me more? I sometimes listen to music when I need help with prayer , and most especially when driving and when I go to bed at night. Bruce Cockburn writes incredible prayer-songs. This is my favorites of many favorites: "One Day I Walk" Oh I have been a beggar And shall be one again And few the ones with help to lend Within the world of men One day I walk in flowers one day I walk on stones Today I walk in hours One day I shall be home I have sat on the street corner And watched the bootheels shine And cried out glad and cried out sad With every voice but mine One day I walk in flowers one day I walk on stones Today I walk in hours One day I shall be home One day I shall be home **** And another favorite (if I could have a whole CD with just these two prayer-songs, alternating over and over, I would listen to it every night after getting into bed): the ANIMA CHRISTI set to music by a young woman in southwestern Louisiana. Soul of Christ, sanctify me. Body of Christ, save me. Blood of Christ, inebriate me. Water from the side of Christ, wash me. Passion of Christ, strengthen me. O good Jesus, hear me. Within Thy wounds hide me. Separated from Thee let me never be. From the malignant enemy, defend me. At the hour of death, call me. And close to Thee bid me. That with Thy saints I may be Praising Thee, forever and ever. Amen. I need to buy need new copies of both CDs because I have played them so much they skip... H.R – Your post is lovely. Raquel, you mentioned keeping Taize prayers in your car. I know about Taize as a prayer service and that’s all I know. Can you tell me more? I sometimes listen to music when I need help with prayer , and most especially when driving and when I go to bed at night. Bruce Cockburn writes incredible prayer-songs. This is my favorites of many favorites:

“One Day I Walk”

Oh I have been a beggar
And shall be one again
And few the ones with help to lend
Within the world of men

One day I walk in flowers
one day I walk on stones
Today I walk in hours
One day I shall be home

I have sat on the street corner
And watched the bootheels shine
And cried out glad and cried out sad
With every voice but mine

One day I walk in flowers
one day I walk on stones
Today I walk in hours
One day I shall be home
One day I shall be home

****

And another favorite (if I could have a whole CD with just these two prayer-songs, alternating over and over, I would listen to it every night after getting into bed): the ANIMA CHRISTI set to music by a young woman in southwestern Louisiana.

Soul of Christ, sanctify me.
Body of Christ, save me.
Blood of Christ, inebriate me.
Water from the side of Christ, wash me.
Passion of Christ, strengthen me.
O good Jesus, hear me.
Within Thy wounds hide me.
Separated from Thee let me never be.
From the malignant enemy, defend me.
At the hour of death, call me.
And close to Thee bid me.
That with Thy saints I may be
Praising Thee, forever and ever. Amen.

I need to buy need new copies of both CDs because I have played them so much they skip…

]]> By: Autumn http://anunslife.org/2009/03/11/make-your-life-a-prayer/#comment-26124 Autumn Sat, 14 Mar 2009 16:08:37 +0000 http://anunslife.org/?p=2048#comment-26124 I think it's really important to cultivate as many different types of prayer as possible, the better to integrate it into many different areas of life. For instance, my main form of prayer is contemplative and centering. However, I often have funny, slang-filled conversations with God out loud while I clean my house! I also read my scriptures each evening and journal and often consecrate actions to Jesus. I also repeat the "Jesus Prayer" while I drive many times! I think this helps me to pray constantly, more or less. I know, I sound like a lame-o, boring 30 year old....!!! I think it’s really important to cultivate as many different types of prayer as possible, the better to integrate it into many different areas of life. For instance, my main form of prayer is contemplative and centering. However, I often have funny, slang-filled conversations with God out loud while I clean my house! I also read my scriptures each evening and journal and often consecrate actions to Jesus. I also repeat the “Jesus Prayer” while I drive many times! I think this helps me to pray constantly, more or less. I know, I sound like a lame-o, boring 30 year old….!!!

]]> By: H.R. Beck http://anunslife.org/2009/03/11/make-your-life-a-prayer/#comment-26020 H.R. Beck Fri, 13 Mar 2009 11:52:34 +0000 http://anunslife.org/?p=2048#comment-26020 Good Morning, I've been reading this blog for a little while now and felt this was a good opportunity to comment. The concept of "Prayer without ceasing" is very attractive to me and something I can whole heartedly get behind. For myself I take my relationship to God as I would a relationship to a trusted spouse or partner. While most of us are not around our friends, family, and significant others all the time, there is a certain change of presence or awareness when we are that is unique to the individual. This in not unlike God's relationship to us. Even though God by definition is omnipresent as as such with us always, a person understandably tunes out their awareness of Divinity as they focus on other tasks just as we're not always with our friends and loved ones when at work or while we're doing other independent things. However with God there is that moment that, while in the middle of doing something that's possibly completely unrelated, we stop, and the mind drifts over a none-specific thought or feeling. It is in such moments where we have an opportunity to touch base with God and share the experience of those moments with Him. In this way we can communicate with God directly and without ceremony thus creating an atmosphere of "Prayer without ceasing". Among other thing I spend a great deal of time with creative writing. Its my primary passion in this life and I often feel that whenever I sit at my typerwriter or gaze into the blank document on my computer screen, even though I'm doing something for myself my work becomes like a direct conduit to the Divine and as such even though the activity is not necessarily of a spiritual nature it becomes a spiritual experience be tween God and I. I know my mother who is an RN says she feels the same way when she's providing her services to her patients. And so I think any time we give of ourselves freely to something, a task or a person, we are also sharing ourselves with God and communicating our devotion through the natural works of our lives. For some people the awareness of such a connection is not instantaneous, but even if we don't feel connected during every given moment of the day the idea of acknowledging God at any point through the course of our day to day activities and experiences is still just as important and meaningful. Just as some of us can't always focus solely on our loved ones, there is still merit in the experience of coming home to them at the end of the day or any other time that the individual sets to devote their attention to that which is out side of themselves and yet apart of them as well. For myself, God is an ever present companion in my life and it seems to me that the acknowledgments of that relationship is what "prayer without ceasing" means. If only to me. ~Beck Good Morning,

I’ve been reading this blog for a little while now and felt this was a good opportunity to comment.

The concept of “Prayer without ceasing” is very attractive to me and something I can whole heartedly get behind. For myself I take my relationship to God as I would a relationship to a trusted spouse or partner. While most of us are not around our friends, family, and significant others all the time, there is a certain change of presence or awareness when we are that is unique to the individual.

This in not unlike God’s relationship to us. Even though God by definition is omnipresent as as such with us always, a person understandably tunes out their awareness of Divinity as they focus on other tasks just as we’re not always with our friends and loved ones when at work or while we’re doing other independent things. However with God there is that moment that, while in the middle of doing something that’s possibly completely unrelated, we stop, and the mind drifts over a none-specific thought or feeling.

It is in such moments where we have an opportunity to touch base with God and share the experience of those moments with Him. In this way we can communicate with God directly and without ceremony thus creating an atmosphere of “Prayer without ceasing”.

Among other thing I spend a great deal of time with creative writing. Its my primary passion in this life and I often feel that whenever I sit at my typerwriter or gaze into the blank document on my computer screen, even though I’m doing something for myself my work becomes like a direct conduit to the Divine and as such even though the activity is not necessarily of a spiritual nature it becomes a spiritual experience be tween God and I.

I know my mother who is an RN says she feels the same way when she’s providing her services to her patients. And so I think any time we give of ourselves freely to something, a task or a person, we are also sharing ourselves with God and communicating our devotion through the natural works of our lives.

For some people the awareness of such a connection is not instantaneous, but even if we don’t feel connected during every given moment of the day the idea of acknowledging God at any point through the course of our day to day activities and experiences is still just as important and meaningful.

Just as some of us can’t always focus solely on our loved ones, there is still merit in the experience of coming home to them at the end of the day or any other time that the individual sets to devote their attention to that which is out side of themselves and yet apart of them as well.

For myself, God is an ever present companion in my life and it seems to me that the acknowledgments of that relationship is what “prayer without ceasing” means. If only to me.

~Beck

]]> By: eily http://anunslife.org/2009/03/11/make-your-life-a-prayer/#comment-25984 eily Fri, 13 Mar 2009 03:14:47 +0000 http://anunslife.org/?p=2048#comment-25984 I also say a Hail Mary every time I hear a siren. My gram taught me that when I was really young. Each morning when I wake up I try to say "Thank you God for this day." The priest who led the Newman Club at my college taught us this. As the day goes on, I try to pray in the way I act towards others. Be it a smile, holding the door, helping someone or something else. I think thatprayer shows up in the little things too. Someone suggested to me that I set time aside a block of time for prayer in the morning. I'm not a morning person so that didn't work for me. Instead, before I go to bed I take time to pray in quiet and just talk to God. It's quickly becoming a favorite part of my day. I also tend to pray when I'm on a long car drive or driving to/from work. It's a time when I'm by myself that I can just talk to God. I also say a Hail Mary every time I hear a siren. My gram taught me that when I was really young.

Each morning when I wake up I try to say “Thank you God for this day.” The priest who led the Newman Club at my college taught us this. As the day goes on, I try to pray in the way I act towards others. Be it a smile, holding the door, helping someone or something else. I think thatprayer shows up in the little things too.

Someone suggested to me that I set time aside a block of time for prayer in the morning. I’m not a morning person so that didn’t work for me. Instead, before I go to bed I take time to pray in quiet and just talk to God. It’s quickly becoming a favorite part of my day. I also tend to pray when I’m on a long car drive or driving to/from work. It’s a time when I’m by myself that I can just talk to God.

]]> By: Nathalie http://anunslife.org/2009/03/11/make-your-life-a-prayer/#comment-25975 Nathalie Fri, 13 Mar 2009 01:49:07 +0000 http://anunslife.org/?p=2048#comment-25975 Discerning25: I love that "Good Lord, it's morning" joke! Totally cracked me up. I also say a silent prayer when I hear of or read about a tragedy. So much tragedy, it seems, in this media-saturated world. Alabama and Germany school bloodbaths are only the most recent. God help the families and friends. God have mercy on the souls of the killers. I'm still struggling with praying to Mary. She still feels remote and unreal. I sure hope I can get closer to her someday. My favourite form of prayer is going out in nature all alone and hanging out with God. Just Him and me, in the woods, by a river, in the fields. Or gazing over an endless horizon. Just me and God. My heart soars. Discerning25:
I love that “Good Lord, it’s morning” joke! Totally cracked me up. I also say a silent prayer when I hear of or read about a tragedy. So much tragedy, it seems, in this media-saturated world. Alabama and Germany school bloodbaths are only the most recent. God help the families and friends. God have mercy on the souls of the killers.

I’m still struggling with praying to Mary. She still feels remote and unreal. I sure hope I can get closer to her someday.

My favourite form of prayer is going out in nature all alone and hanging out with God. Just Him and me, in the woods, by a river, in the fields. Or gazing over an endless horizon. Just me and God. My heart soars.

]]> By: discerninglife25 http://anunslife.org/2009/03/11/make-your-life-a-prayer/#comment-25972 discerninglife25 Fri, 13 Mar 2009 01:20:13 +0000 http://anunslife.org/?p=2048#comment-25972 By the way, prayer also extends outside quiet time. Prayer can be living life like Christ. Like "Praying spontaneously" and be nice to a person, or hold a door, smile, talk to a sad person, and etc. Jesus extended His prayer life to outside the moments He was alone. Just thought I would note that. By the way, prayer also extends outside quiet time. Prayer can be living life like Christ. Like “Praying spontaneously” and be nice to a person, or hold a door, smile, talk to a sad person, and etc. Jesus extended His prayer life to outside the moments He was alone. Just thought I would note that.

]]> By: discerninglife25 http://anunslife.org/2009/03/11/make-your-life-a-prayer/#comment-25971 discerninglife25 Fri, 13 Mar 2009 01:17:02 +0000 http://anunslife.org/?p=2048#comment-25971 I pray a Hail Mary every time a siren comes by like Another Sister Julie. I also like to do it when I wash my hands--I know--I learned it from an IHM nun. You're supposed to ask Our Blessed Mother to pray for your health. Amazingly I haven't gotten sick yet amidst the sickness in my school. Whenever I hear something tragic, I will lower my head at that moment and say a prayer and try to unite myself with that person's agony. It becomes an even deeper prayer then because you can ask God from you heart to help that person. I love spontaneous prayer. It makes God even more and more closer. I pray a Hail Mary every time a siren comes by like Another Sister Julie. I also like to do it when I wash my hands–I know–I learned it from an IHM nun. You’re supposed to ask Our Blessed Mother to pray for your health. Amazingly I haven’t gotten sick yet amidst the sickness in my school.

Whenever I hear something tragic, I will lower my head at that moment and say a prayer and try to unite myself with that person’s agony. It becomes an even deeper prayer then because you can ask God from you heart to help that person. I love spontaneous prayer. It makes God even more and more closer.

]]> By: Another Sister Julie, CSSF http://anunslife.org/2009/03/11/make-your-life-a-prayer/#comment-25955 Another Sister Julie, CSSF Thu, 12 Mar 2009 19:01:45 +0000 http://anunslife.org/?p=2048#comment-25955 Another way I pray throughout the day is when I am on hte computer. When I read of a tragedy, or if someone request my prayers, I raise my hands <i>at that moment</i> and lift the intentionion prayer. When my 2nd graders were preparing for their First Communion, I asked them to take on the ministry of prayer. Every time we heard a siren, we bowed out head and said a short prayer. Only problem was, <i>the school was between a hospital, a police station and a fire station!</i> There were so many sirens at times that we prayed more that we did our lessons. Another way I pray throughout the day is when I am on hte computer. When I read of a tragedy, or if someone request my prayers, I raise my hands at that moment and lift the intentionion prayer.

When my 2nd graders were preparing for their First Communion, I asked them to take on the ministry of prayer. Every time we heard a siren, we bowed out head and said a short prayer. Only problem was, the school was between a hospital, a police station and a fire station! There were so many sirens at times that we prayed more that we did our lessons.

]]> By: Jean http://anunslife.org/2009/03/11/make-your-life-a-prayer/#comment-25952 Jean Thu, 12 Mar 2009 18:25:03 +0000 http://anunslife.org/?p=2048#comment-25952 A colleague in the social work world used to say that we could make our lives a prayer by "find the face of Jesus" in everyone we encounter, including ourselves. I love that. Jesus has so many faces: sacrificial lamb; joyful and affectionate friend; homeless man; a power-sharing boss; an obedient son; a forgiving victim; a dissenting citizen; a stranger; the one to stand against a bully; lover of gatherings and meals and ceremonies; fearful man trying to find a way to bargain with fate... If I were at all artistically inclined, I would love to do one of those "faces" charts - here's what homeless looks like: Jesus; here is what teacher looks like: Jesus; here is what dissident looks like: Jesus; here is what fearful looks like: Jesus; here is what loving family looks like: Jesus... I often fail to find the face of Jesus in every one I encounter because my frail human attention sometimes gets fixated on MY face but, when I remember to seek JESUS' face, I find that my effort, my participation is my prayer. A colleague in the social work world used to say that we could make our lives a prayer by “find the face of Jesus” in everyone we encounter, including ourselves. I love that. Jesus has so many faces:
sacrificial lamb; joyful and affectionate friend; homeless man; a power-sharing boss; an obedient son; a forgiving victim; a dissenting citizen; a stranger; the one to stand against a bully; lover of gatherings and meals
and ceremonies; fearful man trying to find a way to bargain with fate…
If I were at all artistically inclined, I would love to do one of those “faces” charts – here’s what homeless looks like: Jesus; here is what teacher looks like: Jesus; here is what dissident looks like: Jesus; here is what fearful looks like: Jesus; here is what loving family looks like: Jesus…

I often fail to find the face of Jesus in every one I encounter because my frail human attention sometimes gets fixated on MY face but, when I remember to seek JESUS’ face, I find that my effort, my participation is my prayer.

]]> By: Augustine http://anunslife.org/2009/03/11/make-your-life-a-prayer/#comment-25940 Augustine Thu, 12 Mar 2009 16:42:48 +0000 http://anunslife.org/?p=2048#comment-25940 I actually came across Our Lord's exhortation to pray always when I picked up "The Way of a Pilgrim". It was something that fascinated me from the get go, even if I failed to match this enthusiasm with the purity of heart that the Lord called me to. I tried by myself to adopt Hesychasm in order to pray always. At first, it was a true blessing, because I was praying regularly for the first time in my life. However, it soon became heartless because of the reason I mentioned previously. Yet, it lingered on in my mind for years. But I suspected that the Pilgrim's approach to this invitation by the Lord was perhaps better suited to other members of the Orthodox Churches like him. It was only when I discovered Br. Lawrence's "Practice of the Presence of God" that I found out an approach to the Lord's invitation out of the heart of the Latin Church, something more familiar to my culture and to my piety. Not that Br. Lawrence was original in the subject, as many saints touched on it too before, but he was quite original in the practical exposition of this most wonderful practice. It was his gift to the Church. In the middle of hectic times, I know that I can find, like Br. Lawrence, God right here and right now. Praised be Jesus Christ! I actually came across Our Lord’s exhortation to pray always when I picked up “The Way of a Pilgrim”. It was something that fascinated me from the get go, even if I failed to match this enthusiasm with the purity of heart that the Lord called me to.

I tried by myself to adopt Hesychasm in order to pray always. At first, it was a true blessing, because I was praying regularly for the first time in my life. However, it soon became heartless because of the reason I mentioned previously. Yet, it lingered on in my mind for years. But I suspected that the Pilgrim’s approach to this invitation by the Lord was perhaps better suited to other members of the Orthodox Churches like him.

It was only when I discovered Br. Lawrence’s “Practice of the Presence of God” that I found out an approach to the Lord’s invitation out of the heart of the Latin Church, something more familiar to my culture and to my piety. Not that Br. Lawrence was original in the subject, as many saints touched on it too before, but he was quite original in the practical exposition of this most wonderful practice. It was his gift to the Church.

In the middle of hectic times, I know that I can find, like Br. Lawrence, God right here and right now.

Praised be Jesus Christ!

]]> By: Susan http://anunslife.org/2009/03/11/make-your-life-a-prayer/#comment-25938 Susan Thu, 12 Mar 2009 16:00:58 +0000 http://anunslife.org/?p=2048#comment-25938 I am working on this "praying without ceasing" thing, too. Often during the day I will think, "Oh, I need to remember to pray about that later." Of course, if I wait I'm likely to forget, so now I remind myself that I can pray RIGHT NOW, no matter what else I'm doing at that moment. Not all prayer is stillness and focus--sometimes it is desperate and hurried, but God hears it all the same. I am working on this “praying without ceasing” thing, too. Often during the day I will think, “Oh, I need to remember to pray about that later.” Of course, if I wait I’m likely to forget, so now I remind myself that I can pray RIGHT NOW, no matter what else I’m doing at that moment. Not all prayer is stillness and focus–sometimes it is desperate and hurried, but God hears it all the same.

]]> By: Another Sister Julie, CSSF http://anunslife.org/2009/03/11/make-your-life-a-prayer/#comment-25934 Another Sister Julie, CSSF Thu, 12 Mar 2009 14:25:01 +0000 http://anunslife.org/?p=2048#comment-25934 I once heard while on retreat of an elderly man who, at rising, prayed Grace before meals. At night, his prayer was Grace after meals. In that way, he made the whole day his prayer and gave thanks for the gift of each day. It was simple and profound. I like to have an on-going conversation with my Beloved. On good days, this is an easy thing to do. But on some challenging, hectic days, my prayer may sound like, <i>"Well, I'm glad that *You* know what You are doing, because *I* sure don't!"</i> I agree with Augustine also. Those formal times of prayer (Mass, Liturgy of the Hours, etc.) are like putting on a pair of glasses. Everything just comes into focus. (I really like that "sing some old songs for Him" bit--so sweet! I once heard while on retreat of an elderly man who, at rising, prayed Grace before meals. At night, his prayer was Grace after meals. In that way, he made the whole day his prayer and gave thanks for the gift of each day. It was simple and profound.

I like to have an on-going conversation with my Beloved. On good days, this is an easy thing to do. But on some challenging, hectic days, my prayer may sound like, “Well, I’m glad that *You* know what You are doing, because *I* sure don’t!”

I agree with Augustine also. Those formal times of prayer (Mass, Liturgy of the Hours, etc.) are like putting on a pair of glasses. Everything just comes into focus. (I really like that “sing some old songs for Him” bit–so sweet!

]]> By: Amparo http://anunslife.org/2009/03/11/make-your-life-a-prayer/#comment-25924 Amparo Thu, 12 Mar 2009 12:00:44 +0000 http://anunslife.org/?p=2048#comment-25924 I love this topic! And I also love the idea of turning one's life into a prayer. Like Discerninglife25 I always wake up saying "Good morning my Lord!", that gives me strength to sit up and start my day. From that moment on I think I live my day pretty close to Him, and because I truly believe that, that helps me to turn my day into a prayer. But that doesn't mean I go through the street saying prayers to the Lord. As Nathalie said, I think the way to pray without ceasing is being aware of our brothers and sisters around us, being there to help them, controling our attitudes. Its also important to make a pause from time to time and remember that you are not alone and that He is by your side just waiting for you to hold His hand. I love this topic!
And I also love the idea of turning one’s life into a prayer.
Like Discerninglife25 I always wake up saying “Good morning my Lord!”, that gives me strength to sit up and start my day. From that moment on I think I live my day pretty close to Him, and because I truly believe that, that helps me to turn my day into a prayer. But that doesn’t mean I go through the street saying prayers to the Lord. As Nathalie said, I think the way to pray without ceasing is being aware of our brothers and sisters around us, being there to help them, controling our attitudes.
Its also important to make a pause from time to time and remember that you are not alone and that He is by your side just waiting for you to hold His hand.

]]> By: Raquel http://anunslife.org/2009/03/11/make-your-life-a-prayer/#comment-25917 Raquel Thu, 12 Mar 2009 10:37:54 +0000 http://anunslife.org/?p=2048#comment-25917 I use St. Ignatius of Loyola's method of praying (every morning), but I pray in other moments of the day, like when I'm driving . I have a compilation of Taizé songs that I always carry with me. It provides good soundtrack for my (car) prayers. I use St. Ignatius of Loyola’s method of praying (every morning), but I pray in other moments of the day, like when I’m driving . I have a compilation of Taizé songs that I always carry with me. It provides good soundtrack for my (car) prayers.

]]> By: discerninglife25 http://anunslife.org/2009/03/11/make-your-life-a-prayer/#comment-25888 discerninglife25 Thu, 12 Mar 2009 03:24:36 +0000 http://anunslife.org/?p=2048#comment-25888 I take heart in that everything around me is from God. So what I do is I play a little game saying "How is God in that object, and why is it in my life today?" It made me appreciate god so much more. Plus, also I wake up and say "Good Morning Lord!" not "Good lord its morning..." Haha, yes, just reminding myself that God is there helps me to pray unceasingly. I take heart in that everything around me is from God. So what I do is I play a little game saying “How is God in that object, and why is it in my life today?” It made me appreciate god so much more. Plus, also I wake up and say “Good Morning Lord!” not “Good lord its morning…” Haha, yes, just reminding myself that God is there helps me to pray unceasingly.

]]> By: ajani http://anunslife.org/2009/03/11/make-your-life-a-prayer/#comment-25882 ajani Thu, 12 Mar 2009 02:37:47 +0000 http://anunslife.org/?p=2048#comment-25882 Love the idea of the rock, too! For me as a high school student I find that "praying without ceasing" is equally immensely challenging and comforting. I find it easiest to speak with my guardian angel. Since I know my angel is with me all the time (although of course God is too!), I find it easiest to pray that way. Love the idea of the rock, too!

For me as a high school student I find that “praying without ceasing” is equally immensely challenging and comforting. I find it easiest to speak with my guardian angel. Since I know my angel is with me all the time (although of course God is too!), I find it easiest to pray that way.

]]> By: Sr. Liza http://anunslife.org/2009/03/11/make-your-life-a-prayer/#comment-25876 Sr. Liza Thu, 12 Mar 2009 01:52:54 +0000 http://anunslife.org/?p=2048#comment-25876 A thought from my founder Fr. Francis of the Cross Jordan: "Pray at all times in the deepest humility and with the greatest confidence. Let nothing keep you from it". A thought from my founder Fr. Francis of the Cross Jordan:
“Pray at all times in the deepest humility and with the greatest confidence. Let nothing keep you from it”.

]]> By: Sr. Liza http://anunslife.org/2009/03/11/make-your-life-a-prayer/#comment-25875 Sr. Liza Thu, 12 Mar 2009 01:47:37 +0000 http://anunslife.org/?p=2048#comment-25875 I love the idea of the rock!! Excellent. Let us be thankful that we have something to pray about each day. I love the idea of the rock!! Excellent. Let us be thankful that we have something to pray about each day.

]]> By: Regina http://anunslife.org/2009/03/11/make-your-life-a-prayer/#comment-25868 Regina Thu, 12 Mar 2009 00:26:34 +0000 http://anunslife.org/?p=2048#comment-25868 Greetings Sister Julie, I am a fairly visual person, so to help me pray without ceasing I have prayers, quotes, and sacred pictures surrounding my house and my office. As I go through my day, I see these items (many of them may not look God related but they have special meaning) and I am reminded to take a moment to be aware of God, to talk to the Lord, or simply to be in His presence before moving on. I got the idea from many of the e-marketing tools that popped up incessantly on my computer screen. I could remember every single one of those ads yet could not remember to visit with God often. So in an experiment a few years ago, I tried to make my life one big prayer pop-up and as strange as it seemed it worked. It reminds me that as I go through my day, I may feel alone, but really I am never alone. Marla, for fun I am going to try the shoe-pillow technique for my Lent devotionals. Thanks for the tip. Greetings Sister Julie, I am a fairly visual person, so to help me pray without ceasing I have prayers, quotes, and sacred pictures surrounding my house and my office. As I go through my day, I see these items (many of them may not look God related but they have special meaning) and I am reminded to take a moment to be aware of God, to talk to the Lord, or simply to be in His presence before moving on. I got the idea from many of the e-marketing tools that popped up incessantly on my computer screen. I could remember every single one of those ads yet could not remember to visit with God often. So in an experiment a few years ago, I tried to make my life one big prayer pop-up and as strange as it seemed it worked. It reminds me that as I go through my day, I may feel alone, but really I am never alone. Marla, for fun I am going to try the shoe-pillow technique for my Lent devotionals. Thanks for the tip.

]]> By: marla http://anunslife.org/2009/03/11/make-your-life-a-prayer/#comment-25858 marla Wed, 11 Mar 2009 23:25:13 +0000 http://anunslife.org/?p=2048#comment-25858 i always do this with young people: give them a rock and instruct them thusly: place the rock in your shoe at bedtime. when you wake up and put on your shoes let the rock remind you to pray. after you pray, put the rock on your pillow. when you go to bed and see the rock, pick it up and pray. when you are finished, put the rock in your shoe..... it helps, and i do it myself i always do this with young people:

give them a rock and instruct them thusly: place the rock in your shoe at bedtime. when you wake up and put on your shoes let the rock remind you to pray. after you pray, put the rock on your pillow. when you go to bed and see the rock, pick it up and pray. when you are finished, put the rock in your shoe…..

it helps, and i do it myself

]]> By: Nathalie http://anunslife.org/2009/03/11/make-your-life-a-prayer/#comment-25848 Nathalie Wed, 11 Mar 2009 20:45:14 +0000 http://anunslife.org/?p=2048#comment-25848 Praying without ceasing? Awareness. Making one's whole life a prayer is no easy task, and since everyone is different, no one's way of praying will be exactly alike. On a concrete level, when I'm at work, I pray by trying to be "aware" - of how I interact with others, of my reactions to them, etc. When I find myself getting annoyed at someone, I stop and try to figure out why I'm annoyed. Then I am better able to let it go (hopefully) and thank God for that small mercy. I realize this prayer sounds rather cerebral/intellectual, but sometimes when you're in a busy social environment, it's really difficult to plunge into Prayer of the Deep. That's my "alone time" with God, at home, with the cell phone off, no TV, no radio, no distractions. Then my awareness shifts focus and I simply let go of self and let God Be. Whew. Who would've thought "prayer" could be such a nebulous term to define... 0_O Praying without ceasing? Awareness. Making one’s whole life a prayer is no easy task, and since everyone is different, no one’s way of praying will be exactly alike. On a concrete level, when I’m at work, I pray by trying to be “aware” – of how I interact with others, of my reactions to them, etc. When I find myself getting annoyed at someone, I stop and try to figure out why I’m annoyed. Then I am better able to let it go (hopefully) and thank God for that small mercy.

I realize this prayer sounds rather cerebral/intellectual, but sometimes when you’re in a busy social environment, it’s really difficult to plunge into Prayer of the Deep. That’s my “alone time” with God, at home, with the cell phone off, no TV, no radio, no distractions. Then my awareness shifts focus and I simply let go of self and let God Be.

Whew. Who would’ve thought “prayer” could be such a nebulous term to define… 0_O

]]> By: Augustine http://anunslife.org/2009/03/11/make-your-life-a-prayer/#comment-25829 Augustine Wed, 11 Mar 2009 16:55:56 +0000 http://anunslife.org/?p=2048#comment-25829 I have to say that the discipline encouraged by the Liturgy of the Hours is my life-saver of the day. At morning, evening and night prayer, I cherish the opportunity of placing myself before God and sing some old songs for Him. Even on those hectic days when it's hard to quiet distractions down, the liturgy is my last resort to commune some time with the Lord. It's heaven sent! I have to say that the discipline encouraged by the Liturgy of the Hours is my life-saver of the day. At morning, evening and night prayer, I cherish the opportunity of placing myself before God and sing some old songs for Him. Even on those hectic days when it’s hard to quiet distractions down, the liturgy is my last resort to commune some time with the Lord. It’s heaven sent!

]]> By: Sue http://anunslife.org/2009/03/11/make-your-life-a-prayer/#comment-25828 Sue Wed, 11 Mar 2009 16:51:00 +0000 http://anunslife.org/?p=2048#comment-25828 My profession just by itself has been a prayer opportunity many,many times over the years.I am an RN,and of course some areas of nursing provide more opportunites for prayer,both formal & informal.Lucky for me I have been in nursing prior the "new way"where grads choose a specialty,then stick with it.I've been in multiple areas,and wouldn't change that!!Take hospice for example,I've prayed formally with patients&family at thier request,and I've prayed quitly to myself for the pt.that I am really if not ridding them of pain,at least decreasing the pain with the meds,and care I'm giving.I've also prayed out loud while giving care,if the family tells me prayer is an important part of the pts life.Then there is the caption on a religious card my 8th grade sr.gave us at Easter that I'll never forget "faith is seeing the brillant countenance of Christ looking up at us from every creature"or Lord help me remember that nothing is going to happen to me today that you&I together can't handle,given to me by a special hospital Chaplin I worked with awhile back.These little prayers&my own little one Lord let everything I do today,easy or hard be a prayer to you,and let all my actions this day make you happy,and help my pt.Then when I get home I"think"about how I did.These little prayers said a the start of each day "work" till days end and I'm able to have a quiet time a&pray later.Believe me in nursing there are not many quiet times during a shift!!! My profession just by itself has been a prayer opportunity many,many
times over the years.I am an RN,and of course some areas of nursing provide more opportunites for prayer,both formal & informal.Lucky for me I have been in nursing prior the “new way”where grads choose a specialty,then stick with it.I’ve been in multiple areas,and wouldn’t change that!!Take hospice for example,I’ve prayed formally with patients&family at thier request,and I’ve prayed quitly to myself for the pt.that I am really if not ridding them of pain,at least decreasing the pain with the meds,and care I’m giving.I’ve also prayed out loud while giving care,if the family tells me prayer is an important part of the pts life.Then there is the caption on a religious card my 8th grade sr.gave us at Easter that I’ll never forget “faith is seeing the brillant countenance of Christ looking up at us from every creature”or Lord help me remember that nothing is going to happen to me today that you&I together can’t handle,given to me by a special hospital Chaplin I worked with awhile back.These little prayers&my own little one Lord
let everything I do today,easy or hard be a prayer to you,and let all my actions this day make you happy,and help my pt.Then when I get home I”think”about how I did.These little prayers said a the start of each day “work” till days end and I’m able to have a quiet time a&pray later.Believe me in nursing there are not many quiet times during a shift!!!

]]> By: Christopher http://anunslife.org/2009/03/11/make-your-life-a-prayer/#comment-25825 Christopher Wed, 11 Mar 2009 16:34:10 +0000 http://anunslife.org/?p=2048#comment-25825 Firstly, warm greetings to you, Sister Julie, from a Quaker in England who has recently become a devoted reader of your inspiring blog. And now we're considering how to make one's life a prayer? Well, when the late Cardinal Basil Hume, much-loved leader of the Catholic Church in England and Wales, was asked towards the end of his profoundly devout life about his understanding of prayer, he replied simply: 'Oh, I just keep plugging away. At its best it's like being in a dark room with someone you love. You can’t see them, but you know they’re there.' For me this is an invitation, even in the midst of the activities of daily life, to cultivate an inner stillness which feels like Cardinal Hume's dark room. Of course this is easy to say, and much harder to achieve, but even momentary glimpses of it are a blessing for me. Firstly, warm greetings to you, Sister Julie, from a Quaker in England who has recently become a devoted reader of your inspiring blog. And now we’re considering how to make one’s life a prayer? Well, when the late Cardinal Basil Hume, much-loved leader of the Catholic Church in England and Wales, was asked towards the end of his profoundly devout life about his understanding of prayer, he replied simply: ‘Oh, I just keep plugging away. At its best it’s like being in a dark room with someone you love. You can’t see them, but you know they’re there.’ For me this is an invitation, even in the midst of the activities of daily life, to cultivate an inner stillness which feels like Cardinal Hume’s dark room. Of course this is easy to say, and much harder to achieve, but even momentary glimpses of it are a blessing for me.

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