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Beginning to Pray

Some people today have little meaningful experience of formal prayer, and ask, “How do I begin to pray?” Perhaps you find the lyrics of a song jumping out at you at an uncanny moment, or you sense a sacred presence when you go walking in the woods, or you are captivated by some larger reality at work as you watch a sunset. Is this prayer?

What is Prayer?

• the lifting of one’s mind and heart to God
• loving conversation with God
• consciousness of one’s union with God, or awareness of one’s inner self (Thomas Merton)
• a conscious turning to the invisible friend who is always near (Teresa of Avila)
• listening to the Spirit who speaks to you
• speaking one’s own thoughts of adoration, contrition, thanksgiving, and supplication

Being Present

Prayer can be active or receptive, but it begins with presence. Because God is eternally present in all creation, and Emmanuel is “God with us,” the sacred is in the ordinary as much as in the “holy” places of our lives. Start by being attentive to the sacred. At home or away, amid stress or stillness, ask: Where is God in this? Where am I? What is God saying? Take some time and space to quiet your thoughts and experience God’s presence. How do I respond to God?

Speaking and Listening to God

God is cosmic and omnipotent, but also personal. There are as many ways to talk with God as there are personalities. Prayer can be private or communal, mournful or jubilant, planned or spontaneous. For some, formal prayers and rituals, like the Liturgy of the Hours, resonate with meaning. Traditional Catholic devotions like the rosary, novenas to saints, Adoration, and the Stations of the Cross also provide a sacred space in which to encounter God. Others may hear or respond more to the Holy Spirit speaking through their own creative inner voice. They may find their most meaningful space pouring out thoughts and prayers in a journal. Many people pray with Scripture. Likewise, art, music, dance, or other sacred movement can be part of one’s prayer. One can even experience God just by sitting in stillness. All that is required is the willingness to be attentive to God.

Each person needs to find a way that gives life and energy to their relationship with God and calls them to growth. We invite you to explore different ways of praying so you may discover the way that is best for you.