Do you have a prayer routine?

[hiddenhome]

Just that really

It's hard to know what to say, when to say it and how long to spend. Getting into a routine amongst all the other things you find you have to do. Finding somewhere quiet is also tricky.

Does anybody have any ideas or thoughts on this?

[niminypiminy]

I've recommended this before but pray as you go and sacred space are really good places to start with daily prayer.

[hiddenhome]

thank you for that

[pisgah]

I have been reading a book called 'Confessions of a prayer slacker' by Diane Moody. It has really changed the way I think about prayer, I'd recommend it - although it is kind of quirky and american

[MadHairDay]

I do find I need some kind of routine, to help focus and take that crucial time in the day. Somehow, when I do, everything seems to fall together and there is more peace about that day. Odd that

I've been using the community of St Chad material - it has a daily prayer section, with different prayer focusses for each day. It's ok but I don't use it all the time, as it would become repetitive. I also use a prayer journal, which works well for me as I can often get down in writing much more than I can vocalise, and it's great to look back and see how prayers have been answered along the way.

[Annunziata]

I pray the rosary before bed.

I say a Hail Mary per child, one for DH, and then one for various family members, people I am thinking of, to saints I need help from, for things I need help with.

[Cuddledup]

Hidden I would second niminy's recommendation for pray as you go. She mentioned it a few weeks / months(?) ago on one of these threads and I've started doing the daily morning prayers and it's really helped me. NOw I get up 10 mins early so I can do this before the rest of the household gets up.

[hiddenhome]

Whereabouts do you all say your prayers? I tend to say them whilst I'm in bed, but I often fall asleep half way through There's no spare room that I can slope off to. The place is so noisy and busy. Do you all have a special place?

[Gingerdodger]

My prayer time is bed time but I do find myself snatching other times during the day. Having some focus helps and at the moment I have some Lenten materials which help. Other than that I also find that prayers at night help me to reflect on the day and what is to come tomorrow. Sometimes fall asleep doing this though but maybe that's not a bad thing either though as I go to sleep at peace.

[hiddenhome]

I downloaded the Three Minute Retreat app which I've been using. It's very good and really easy and simple.

I have had a quick look at those links ninimy

[pisgah]

I get up early as its the only peaceful time in the day! I sneak out of bed, shutting the door oh-so-quietly behind me. I am reading through the bible in a year, and I guess my prayers have gradually extended from "help me understand what I'm reading" to cover my life, my day, all the things I'm thankful for. 6am is a beautiful time of day to pray. Sometimes the sun is even out I am beginning to understand that its a conversation with Jesus, not a shopping list of requests.

[pisgah]

I love the idea of going to sleep at peace, Gingerdodger - I've never thought of it like that

[Gingerdodger]

pisgah I only really thought that as I was writing that and yes it actually is a really lovely thing, albeit more by accident than design!

I'm not sure 6am would work for me. Not sure even God could make sense of anything I say at 6am!

I think the important the thing is to find a routine that fits your day.

The conversation thing is really important and I would like to know how others ensure they are listening too as sometimes I really struggle with this bit.