What if your daily prayer routine isn’t working anymore?
This question is, of course, a bit of a trick. After all, God works even when we are unaware of His movements and promptings. I’m talking about our side of things. How we feel about our daily prayer and whether it resonates more often than it does not.
This isn’t about having an off day. Rather, we’re talking about that dry season that can last a week or more.
This dryness can look like any of the following:
-you’re not looking forward to prayer
-the “parts” feel forced and do not flow from one to another (i.e. from Bible reading to journaling to silent prayer, etc.)
-you finish the session without having really talked to God or listened to Him
-you’ve incorporated the internet (i.e. faith websites or blogs) to crowd out analogue Bible reading and old-fashioned journaling
Any one of these sentiments is innocent enough. Put a few of them together, for a week or more…that’s when you start to feel as if things just aren’t working.
I suggest the following if you’re simply stuck when it comes to your daily prayer time:
1. Get in front of the Blessed Sacrament. There’s nothing better than kneeling before the Lord and His real presence. This movement of humility reminds us that prayer isn’t just about us. Even if you can’t get to the Lord daily in this way, try sprinkling in a visit to the Blessed Sacrament a few times a week to mix things up.
2. More analog, less digital. Try leaving your phone or iPad in another room during your prayer time. Even the most disciplined among us can benefit from a broken-in Bible and a notebook. This contributes to more silence, less strain on your eyes and (likely) more time in God’s Word. Again, try this and see how it impacts your prayer time.
Is it time to blow up your prayer routine? Ask the Lord for direction, tell Him about your dissatisfaction with your routine and convey your desire for union with Him. It may not be so much about a complete tear-down but rather about making a few intentional changes to what is likely a sound foundation.
This question is, of course, a bit of a trick. After all, God works even when we are unaware of His movements and promptings. I’m talking about our side of things. How we feel about our daily prayer and whether it resonates more often than it does not.
This isn’t about having an off day. Rather, we’re talking about that dry season that can last a week or more.
This dryness can look like any of the following:
-you’re not looking forward to prayer
-the “parts” feel forced and do not flow from one to another (i.e. from Bible reading to journaling to silent prayer, etc.)
-you finish the session without having really talked to God or listened to Him
-you’ve incorporated the internet (i.e. faith websites or blogs) to crowd out analogue Bible reading and old-fashioned journaling
Any one of these sentiments is innocent enough. Put a few of them together, for a week or more…that’s when you start to feel as if things just aren’t working.
I suggest the following if you’re simply stuck when it comes to your daily prayer time:
1. Get in front of the Blessed Sacrament. There’s nothing better than kneeling before the Lord and His real presence. This movement of humility reminds us that prayer isn’t just about us. Even if you can’t get to the Lord daily in this way, try sprinkling in a visit to the Blessed Sacrament a few times a week to mix things up.
2. More analog, less digital. Try leaving your phone or iPad in another room during your prayer time. Even the most disciplined among us can benefit from a broken-in Bible and a notebook. This contributes to more silence, less strain on your eyes and (likely) more time in God’s Word. Again, try this and see how it impacts your prayer time.
Is it time to blow up your prayer routine? Ask the Lord for direction, tell Him about your dissatisfaction with your routine and convey your desire for union with Him. It may not be so much about a complete tear-down but rather about making a few intentional changes to what is likely a sound foundation.