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In last week’s article on Catholic Prayer for Busy Moms, I mentioned that I do a morning offering. I also have certain prayers that I offer up whenever a trigger hits. For instance, when I hear an emergency vehicle, I say a little prayer for the drivers and the people they are going to help. A woman in my Mothers In Christ group said she says a little prayer for the people whose laundry she is folding. Whenever my mother-in-law passes a church, she makes the sign of the cross. When I see something beautiful or rare in the world (a rainbow or that particular snowfall where it looks like diamonds are falling from the sky), I give thanks to the Lord for the wonders of his creation. Whenever we eat (in theory; we are imperfect beings :D), we say Grace Before Meals. I also found a lovely prayer that I wish I knew when I first gave birth to Lil’ Bit that you can say while Nursing:
God, you are like a mother to us all, nourishing all creatures with food and with blessing.
Strengthen my child with (my milk, this food) and with the warmth of our nearness.
I also immediately pray for people when someone (usually online) requests prayers because while I might intend to do it during structured prayer time…well, lets just say I don’t HAVE structured prayer time. I do the same thing when I hear about some tragedy on the news that touches me. If there is an abortion clinic or Planned Parenthood nearby, say a prayer for the mothers and babies who have been hurt there.
When I drive past cemetaries, I say the prayer for eternal rest:
Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.
There are also certain times of day that lend themselves to prayer very well. Many people say a rosary while they are on the treadmill; I used to do it while I rode my recumbent exercise bike or when I took my daughter for a walk. I’ve purchased CD’s of the Rosary and the Chaplet of Divine Mercy on CD and put them on my iPhone. I listen to them when I run errands. I can get through 3/5 of a Rosary on the way to the grocery store. Most of my errands are at least a Rosary (there and back).
Think you don’t have time for more formal prayer? EWTN airs various prayers several times a day. Not only can you view daily mass several times a day, but you can also do Rosaries (varies from 15-30 minutes depending on which one you happen to be watching. The Holy Land Rosary in the early AM is fairly short — Mother Angelica is a full 30 minutes). They also air litanies and my favorite, the Chaplet of Divine Mercy. Even if your area doesn’t carry EWTN, if you have internet, you can stream both their radio & television feeds.
And the best part? Many of these, when done in a state of grace and the other requirements, qualify for a partial or plenary indulgence. Another way to multi-task your prayer life!
How do YOU pray without ceasing? Share your tips in the comments!
Dawn
12 February 2010 at 11:22 PM (15 years ago)How heartwarming that your mother-inlaw makes the sign of the cross when she passes a church. We did that all the time growing up in Brooklyn. I haven’t been such a good girl in praying formally during my day. But all through my day I’m talking to God about something, thanking him, looking to him for advice..etc. I have tried to pray more formally at night time, but that I realize that I am at such peace. Sometimes so peaceful that I fall alseep and wake up in the middle of the night to realize I wasn’t finished.
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Amy
7 December 2009 at 12:17 PM (15 years ago)I try to keep a rosary and a green scapular in my pocket. Every time I touch the green scapular, I recite the prayer inscribed on it, thinking of those that have strayed from God. The rosary is in the other pocket, I try to pray a bit of it at a time throughout the day. I may not do a full rosary at one time, but the prayers are being said, again while thinking of whatever prayer intention I have at that moment.
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Katie @ Kitchen Stewardship
15 November 2009 at 2:11 AM (15 years ago)Awesome ideas! Some I do, some I hadn’t thought of. I’m saving your link to make sure I send my readers your way when I talk about continuous prayer during Advent!
🙂 Katie
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