MAKING ROOM FOR PRAYER

REBECCA SONATAG BY REBECCA SONTAG

The majesty and magnificence of God is inescapable. It is in e majesty and magnicence of God is inescapable. It is in every single breath taken, the winds that keep the birds in every single breath taken, the winds that keep the birds in the sky and, far above even that, the force that pins countless stars to the fabric of the universe. Every beat of every heart, every the sky and, far above even that, the force that pins countless stars to the fabric of the universe. Every beat of every heart, every wave that has ever broken upon a shore: we are enveloped by constant reminders of God’s vast love for us all. wave that has ever broken upon a shore: we are enveloped by How is it that we could, even for a moment, forget the constant reminders of God’s vast love for us all. profound grandeur and generosity of God’s endless gifts?

How is it that we could, even for a moment, forget the The relentless plowing through the white noise of daily profound grandeur and generosity of God’s endless gifts? existence can stifle gratitude and wonder, even dimming our relationship with God. Annoyance, frustration, distraction e relentless plowing through the white noise of daily and self absorption can derail even the most devoted of souls from their true calling, that is, to know, love and serve God. existence can stie gratitude and wonder even dimming our And it is through prayer that these obstacles are dissolved like relationship with God. Annoyance, frustration, distraction the morning sun burning away last night’s fog. and self-absorption can derail even the most devoted of souls from their true calling, that is, to know, love and serve God. And it is through prayer that these obstacles are dissolved like the morning sun burning away last night’s fog. Prayer is much more than a single act. It is, as stated by the Catechism, the actual relationship itself between each individual and God. Anytime our hearts cry out our prayers are heard, and there are plenty of times prayer comes easily. Sometimes, though, it takes intentionality, maybe even the Prayer is much more than a single act. It is, as stated by the setting of a routine, to make room in our lives for this intimate Catechism, the actual relationship itself between each exchange with God, Jesus and the saints. Because regardless of individual and God. Anytime our hearts cry out our prayers whether or not prayer takes added effort, it is always essential. are heard. And there are plenty of times prayer comes easy. Sometimes, though, it takes intentionality, maybe even the setting of a routine, to make room in our lives for this Here are some steps you can take to carve out space for prayer in your home. intimate exchange with God, Jesus and the saints. Because PICK A SPOT regardless of whether or not prayer takes added eort, it is Choose a place in your home that will be devoted solely to always essential. prayer. Whether it’s an entire room, a chair by a window, or a pretty box holding your favorite book of prayers and a rosary, mark off a portion of your home for this singular purpose. Here are some steps you can take to carve Set apart your sacred space from the hectic distractions of the out space for prayer in your life. mundane so that your focus is with God and His Saints.

PICK A SPOT FILL IT WITH GOOD THINGS Remaining intent on your conversation with God is the Choose a place in your home that will be devoted solely to goal. Meditating on Christ’s victory over death while gazing prayer. Whether it’s an entire room, a chair by a window, or a pretty box holding your favorite book of prayers and a rosary, mark o a portion of your home for this singular purpose. Set

at a crucifix can draw one closer into God’s great mystery. crucix can draw one closer into God’s great mystery. Likewise, an image of the Virgin Mary snuggling Jesus on her Likewise, an image of the Virgin Mary snuggling Jesus on her lap can pull the mind and heart ever closer to understanding the love God has for each of us. Religious lap can pull the mind and heart ever closer to understanding the love God has for each of us. Religious icons, carvings, paintings and more can be used to sharpen our focus on our beloved Lord as our hearts spill forth. icons, carvings, paintings and more can be used to sharpen our focus on our beloved Lord as our hearts spill forth. MAKE IT A RITUAL Rituals are a human invention that serve a human need. Jesus MAKE IT A RITUAL does not become more perfect because you always use a kneeler Rituals are a human invention that serve a human need. Jesus does not become more perfect because you always use in your home’s prayer space. Likewise, God doesn’t need us to light a white candle blessed by a priest before we pray. a kneeler in your home’s prayer space. Likewise, God But we may need it. Your prayer ritual is a customizable series doesn’t need us to light a white candle blessed by a priest of steps. And when used to begin and end time of intentional before we pray. prayer, it enables us to leave the world of social media and cable news at the door. Genuflecting, kissing the cross, But we may need it. Your prayer ritual is a customizable series of steps. And when used to begin and end time of intentional prayer, it enables us to leave the world of social lighting a candle, playing a hymn, burning incense or using set beginning and ending prayers: these are just a few ideas that can be personalized to help slip off the smothering mantle of the world’s chaos and distraction as we give ourselves and media and cable news at the door. Genuecting, kissing the our full attention over to God’s love and care. cross, lighting a candle, playing a hymn, burning incense or using set beginning and ending prayers: these are just a few MAKE IT A HABIT ideas that can be personalized to help slip o the Prayer is a necessity and not a luxury. It is a necessity for each smothering mantle of the world’s chaos and distraction as we give ourselves and our full attention over to God’s love and care. person in each family. Get up early or set aside time at night and share that time so that all in the household can grow in God. But when you find the time, stick to it and enable other family members to do the same.

MAKE IT A HABIT Like all worthwhile things, there is growth and improvement Prayer is a necessity and not a luxury. It is a necessity for with practice. Set a reminder on your phone or an alarm each person in each family. Get up early or set aside time at night and share that time so that all in the household can grow in God. But when you nd the time, stick to it and on your clock. Keep doing it. Somedays you may feel like you’re flying with the angels! Somedays, you will feel flat and uninspired. Somedays, it might feel completely forced. But with all relationships, there is a lot to be said just for enable other family members to do the same. showing up. There will be ups and downs but the trajectory, the ultimate path, is always closer and closer to God. There Like all worthwhile things, there is growth and is nothing more important than our relationship with God. improvement with practice. Set a reminder on your phone Make the space. or an alarm on your clock. But keep doing it. Somedays you | 21 FEATURE may feel like you’re ying with the angels! Somedays, you will feel at and uninspired. Somedays, it might feel