Author Topic: Daily Prayer Life (Read 1811 times)

Jimbo9889 · « **on:** December 29, 2012, 09:03:06 AM »

Surely one does not over exert themselves for God, for Grace makes all things easy but nonetheless I ask for your help in this matter as well. I try to have a time set to prayers during the Morning and the Evening. I kind of created my own prayer "rule" if you will, involving about 5 Daily Prayers, 2 Spiritual Readings, and 1 Prayer Unique to Friday, Saturday, and Sunday:

(1) Morning Offering of the Brown Scapular -
(2) Morning and Evening Prayers to the Holy Spirit (also contains Our Father, Hail Mary, recitation of the Creed) -
(3) The Little Office of the BVM -
(4) Short Prayer from the 1962 Missal -
(5) Litany Reading/Prayer to BVM, Sacred of Jesus, or Holy Name of Jesus from the '62 Missal -
(6) Spiritual Reading from "A Year With The Church Fathers" -
(7) Spiritual Reading from "Divine Intimacy" -
(8) If Friday, Then The Rosary in Offering Up to Enemy Love; If Saturday Evening, Then Preparation for Holy Mass; If Sunday, Then Continued Preparation for Mass in the Morning and Vespers and Compline Prayers after Mass.

My issue here is that I feel that all of this necessary but at the same time another part of me feels its too time consuming and demands more than my station in life would require to show devotion. Yet at the same time I feel like as if I weren't to do all of this I would be missing something. I was thinking that if in trying to save time, [unless I really undeniably or spontaneously intuit the need to pray it] I would have this modified prayer "rule" instead:

(1) Morning Offering of the Brown Scapular -
(2) Morning and Evening Prayers to the Holy Spirit (also contains Our Father, Hail Mary, recitation of the Creed) -
(3) The Little Office of the BVM -
(4) Spiritual Reading from "A Year With The Church Fathers" -
(5) Spiritual Reading from "Divine Intimacy" -
(6) If Friday, Then The Rosary in Offering Up to Enemy Love and Forgiveness; If Saturday Evening, Then Preparation for Holy Mass; If Sunday, Then Continued Preparation for Mass in the Morning and Vespers and Compline Prayers after Mass.

I wear the Laymen's Brown Scapular being Part of the Brown Scapular Confraternity, so (#1) seems necessary to me. Praying from the The Paraclete (#2) seems important to me as well as would Praying the Little Office of the BVM (#3) since its a part of the Confraternity Promise. The Spiritual Readings from "Divine Intimacy" and "A Year with the Church Fathers" (#4 & 5) serve as a kind of Self-Reflection of the Day and Prayerful Requests too. Typically the end of the Week means a lot to people of all the Monotheistic/Abrahamic Faiths and for Christians, Friday often is the day of the Lords Suffering, Saturday is a day to wind down on the world and its concerns to begin focusing and preparing for the next day, Sunday is Mass which ought to be marked with the highest number of Prayers and Devotions. (#6)

Nadir · « **Reply #1 on:** December 29, 2012, 06:59:48 PM »

Quote from: Jimbo9889

My issue here is that I feel that all of this necessary but at the same time another part of me feels its too time consuming and demands more than my station in life would require to show devotion.

It depends on what is your station in life.

Are you able to perform these practices as well as fullfilling all the duties of your station in life? Or are you neglecting some?

What about acts of charity towards your neighbour?

Ascetik · « **Reply #2 on:** December 29, 2012, 09:50:31 PM »

Looks pretty normal to me, I'd add 30mins-1hr of mental prayer a day if you're not already. Vocal Prayer is good, but it is the lowest form of prayer. Mental prayer is the key.

rowsofvoices9 · « **Reply #3 on:** January 01, 2013, 03:49:55 AM »

When I first became really serious about my faith, I found myself doing too many devotions and my daily duties took second place. I came to the realization that this wasn't the way to please God as daily duties should always take precedence. St. Francis de Sales says it is actually sinful for a layperson to be doing the regular duties of a religious and vice versa. I have since eliminated entirely some of the devotions I was doing.

I really need to get back into the habit of attending more daily Masses and Eucharistic Adoration. I know I'm only making excuses but there is nothing I hate more than going outdoors in the morning in winter. Especially when there is a lot of ice and freezing temps.

1. Morning prayers upon arising for the day. The prayers I always include are the I arise O Lord, etc., Free my mind O Lord from all distracting thoughts, etc., Glory be to the Father who has created me, etc., Morning Offering, To Thee be praise, glory and honor, etc., O Sacrament most Holy, etc., An Act of Spiritual Communion, Our Father, Hail Mary and Apostles Creed and well as Acts of Faith, Hope, Charity and Contrition Come O Holy Spirit and Anima Christi. I also make it a point to say the Magnificat, Salve Regina, Memorare , We Fly to your patronage, etc., Immaculate Heart of Mary pray for us now, etc, O Mary conceived without sin, etc. and well as the three Hail Mary devotion. I make sure to pray to my Guardian Angel and to St. Michael too and end by saying three times the prayer of St. Gertrude to release 1000 souls from purgatory.

2. At 3:00 pm sharp I say the Divine Mercy Chaplet if my schedule allows. If not I do it at another more convenient time. I know a lot of trads poo poo this devotion but I find it to be a really beautiful prayer. What can possibly be wrong with meditating on Our Lord's Passion?

3. In the evening I set aside time for reading the Bible and other spiritual writing. I used to do the Divine Office at the correct hours for Matins, Lauds and Vespers but I have since cast it aside. Now I just read the Psalms from Matins as well as the scripture readings and homilies. I always read the whole chapter for the for the reading that begins with the first nocturne and the Gospel. Sometimes I like to include the Office of Readings from the Liturgy of the Hours because most of the time they're different from the old breviary.

4. Every evening around 9:30 pm I pray the Seven Sorrows rosary.

5. At around 11:00 pm I always pray a minimum of five decades of the rosary. Sometimes if I really inspired I'll pray all fifteen but this is rare. By the time I mention all my intentions and pray five decades 30 minutes have elapsed and I'm very tired.

6. I wear the brown scapular.

7. I belong to the confraternity of the Holy Rosary which stipulates that I must pray all fifteen decades once a week.

8. On Fridays and everyday during Lent, I always offer all the indulgences I gain to the Holy Souls in Purgatory.

9. I've made it a habit to always recite St. Gertrudes's prayer for the release of 1000 souls from Purgatory three times for each devotion that I do in honor of the Holy Trinity.

10. Before I retire to bed each night, I say three Hail Mary's, make a brief examination of conscience and and act of contrition. I'm too pooped to do anything more.

Alex117 · « **Reply #4 on:** January 01, 2013, 09:10:16 AM »

Quote from: rowsofvoices9

When I first became really serious about my faith, I found myself doing too many devotions and my daily duties took second place. I came to the realization that this wasn't the way to please God as daily duties should always take precedence. St. Francis de Sales says it is actually sinful for a layperson to be doing the regular duties of a religious and vice versa. I have since eliminated entirely some of the devotions I was doing.

I really need to get back into the habit of attending more daily Masses and Eucharistic Adoration. I know I'm only making excuses but there is nothing I hate more than going outdoors in the morning in winter. Especially when there is a lot of ice and freezing temps.

1. Morning prayers upon arising for the day. The prayers I always include are the I arise O Lord, etc., Free my mind O Lord from all distracting thoughts, etc., Glory be to the Father who has created me, etc., Morning Offering, To Thee be praise, glory and honor, etc., O Sacrament most Holy, etc., An Act of Spiritual Communion, Our Father, Hail Mary and Apostles Creed and well as Acts of Faith, Hope, Charity and Contrition Come O Holy Spirit and Anima Christi. I also make it a point to say the Magnificat, Salve Regina, Memorare , We Fly to your patronage, etc., Immaculate Heart of Mary pray for us now, etc, O Mary conceived without sin, etc. and well as the three Hail Mary devotion. I make sure to pray to my Guardian Angel and to St. Michael too and end by saying three times the prayer of St. Gertrude to release 1000 souls from purgatory.

2. At 3:00 pm sharp I say the Divine Mercy Chaplet if my schedule allows. If not I do it at another more convenient time. I know a lot of trads poo poo this devotion but I find it to be a really beautiful prayer. What can possibly be wrong with meditating on Our Lord's Passion?

3. In the evening I set aside time for reading the Bible and other spiritual writing. I used to do the Divine Office at the correct hours for Matins, Lauds and Vespers but I have since cast it aside. Now I just read the Psalms from Matins as well as the scripture readings and homilies. I always read the whole chapter for the for the reading that begins with the first nocturne and the Gospel. Sometimes I like to include the Office of Readings from the Liturgy of the Hours because most of the time they're different from the old breviary.

4. Every evening around 9:30 pm I pray the Seven Sorrows rosary.

5. At around 11:00 pm I always pray a minimum of five decades of the rosary. Sometimes if I really inspired I'll pray all fifteen but this is rare. By the time I mention all my intentions and pray five decades 30 minutes have elapsed and I'm very tired.

6. I wear the brown scapular.

7. I belong to the confraternity of the Holy Rosary which stipulates that I must pray all fifteen decades once a week.

8. On Fridays and everyday during Lent, I always offer all the indulgences I gain to the Holy Souls in Purgatory.

9. I've made it a habit to always recite St. Gertrudes's prayer for the release of 1000 souls from Purgatory three times for each devotion that I do in honor of the Holy Trinity.

10. Before I retire to bed each night, I say three Hail Mary's, make a brief examination of conscience and and act of contrition. I'm too pooped to do anything more.

Geez man, your devotional life is amazing! I wish I had the spirit to do half of the things you do! You should have been a monk!

rowsofvoices9 · « **Reply #5 on:** January 01, 2013, 11:13:53 AM »

Not really Alex. I'm at a stage in my life were I have time to devote more time to prayer. If I was still working I wouldn't be doing half of what I do now.

I'd like to hear what others pray lives are like.

rowsofvoices9 · « **Reply #6 on:** January 01, 2013, 11:38:56 AM »

Speaking of devotions, Saturday is once again the First Saturday.

I was told by a priest that once you perform the initial five consecutive Saturdays, one is not required to always do this devotion in increments of five consecutive Saturdays. Hence, you can preform it sporadically and still receive additional graces. I've never seen this written anywhere in the literature and was wondering if this is true.

Jimbo9889 · « **Reply #7 on:** January 02, 2013, 03:09:57 PM »

Thank You for replies, while specific people asked me questions, the comments and answers will be able addressed without mention to those specific people, no offense:

1. I feel I can't pray the whole thing all the time, and when I do I know something else in my day will be neglected. So what is the most prayers I should pray upon Rising and Going To Sleep? From that I will add my own prayers, so that way I can say in honesty that I did more than just the bare minimum.

2. I do want to move into more Mental/Contemplative Prayer and not just stay stuck in the Vocal/Devotional Level of Prayer. This is why I would like to know a both the minimum and high quality prayers that can prepare my mind more adequately for Mental/Contemplative Prayer. Of course, I want to keep my Spiritual Reading from Divine Intimacy as well as A Year With The Church Fathers.

3. Unfortunately to rowsofvoices9 I am young and the world demands attention, so I do not have the time to add more than what I already said I was doing and may want to tone down to, I am looking to tone it down, without feeling guilty or shameful for doing so.

Nadir · « **Reply #8 on:** January 02, 2013, 03:48:34 PM »

Quote from: rowsofvoices9

I'd like to hear what others pray lives are like.

As I throw my legs over the edge of the bed I say, Everything I do and everything I say, I offer to You, dear Lord. Please help me by your grace.

Then I go to the loungeroom where my dear husband waits patiently for me to join him in saying Morning Prayer from the Daily Office, at the end of which I add the "Prayer to the Virgin" (remedy against the spirits of darkness and the forces of hate and fear) indulgenced by Pius X.

Of course don't forget Grace before Meals! :ready-to-eat:

Around 3.30pm we say Evening Prayer from the Daily Office together.

Each night we say the Holy Rosary, followed of course by the Prayer to St Michael.

Then before I go to bed, I pray Night Prayer from the Daily Office. As I lay my head on the pillow I say the Memorare, then I think to myself. Oops! that was a bit slack. I'd better say that again with more devotion.

If, for some pressing reason, I have to get up at an extraordinarily early time, I ask my Guardian Angel to wake me; he has never failed! Though I must say I tend to take him for granted, shame on me.

Of course, scripture tells us that we must pray always, and this can be achieved in quiet conditions with as little as possible external noise. I am blessed in that way. For some quiet conditions are not available, then we offer God whatever the day brings us and asking Him to use it for His glory.

Marlelar · « **Reply #9 on:** January 02, 2013, 10:45:45 PM »

Quote from: rowsofvoices9

Not really Alex. I'm at a stage in my life were I have time to devote more time to prayer. If I was still working I wouldn't be doing half of what I do now.

I'd like to hear what others pray lives are like.

Morning Offering
Angelus & prayer to St. Michael ( 3 x day)
Rosary
Scripture reading
Compline

Marsha

Roland Deschain · « **Reply #10 on:** January 04, 2013, 04:13:43 AM »

Quote from: Jimbo9889

Surely one does not over exert themselves for God, for Grace makes all things easy but nonetheless I ask for your help in this matter as well. I try to have a time set to prayers during the Morning and the Evening. I kind of created my own prayer "rule" if you will, involving about 5 Daily Prayers, 2 Spiritual Readings, and 1 Prayer Unique to Friday, Saturday, and Sunday:

(1) Morning Offering of the Brown Scapular -
(2) Morning and Evening Prayers to the Holy Spirit (also contains Our Father, Hail Mary, recitation of the Creed) -
(3) The Little Office of the BVM -
(4) Short Prayer from the 1962 Missal -
(5) Litany Reading/Prayer to BVM, Sacred of Jesus, or Holy Name of Jesus from the '62 Missal -
(6) Spiritual Reading from "A Year With The Church Fathers" -
(7) Spiritual Reading from "Divine Intimacy" -
(8) If Friday, Then The Rosary in Offering Up to Enemy Love; If Saturday Evening, Then Preparation for Holy Mass; If Sunday, Then Continued Preparation for Mass in the Morning and Vespers and Compline Prayers after Mass.

My issue here is that I feel that all of this necessary but at the same time another part of me feels its too time consuming and demands more than my station in life would require to show devotion. Yet at the same time I feel like as if I weren't to do all of this I would be missing something. I was thinking that if in trying to save time, [unless I really undeniably or spontaneously intuit the need to pray it] I would have this modified prayer "rule" instead:

(1) Morning Offering of the Brown Scapular -
(2) Morning and Evening Prayers to the Holy Spirit (also contains Our Father, Hail Mary, recitation of the Creed) -
(3) The Little Office of the BVM -
(4) Spiritual Reading from "A Year With The Church Fathers" -
(5) Spiritual Reading from "Divine Intimacy" -
(6) If Friday, Then The Rosary in Offering Up to Enemy Love and Forgiveness; If Saturday Evening, Then Preparation for Holy Mass; If Sunday, Then Continued Preparation for Mass in the Morning and Vespers and Compline Prayers after Mass.

I wear the Laymen's Brown Scapular being Part of the Brown Scapular Confraternity, so (#1) seems necessary to me. Praying from the The Paraclete (#2) seems important to me as well as would Praying the Little Office of the BVM (#3) since its a part of the Confraternity Promise. The Spiritual Readings from "Divine Intimacy" and "A Year with the Church Fathers" (#4 & 5) serve as a kind of Self-Reflection of the Day and Prayerful Requests too. Typically the end of the Week means a lot to people of all the Monotheistic/Abrahamic Faiths and for Christians, Friday often is the day of the Lords Suffering, Saturday is a day to wind down on the world and its concerns to begin focusing and preparing for the next day, Sunday is Mass which ought to be marked with the highest number of Prayers and Devotions. (#6)

Without commenting directly on your prayer rule I would simply suggest that you speak to a traditional priest, preferrably your confessor. One of the great advantages of having a spiritual director is that they can guide you based on experience, age, spiritual maturity etc. Let them be the doctor who prescribes the medicine you need. This is very crucial and the Fathers and ascetics of the Church speak with one voice in recommending a director.

Also keep the analogy of a weight lifter in mind. When beginning to work out you don't start by bench pressing 500 lbs. Work your way up, gain strength and STICK WITH IT! Remember also that 5 minutes of truly devout prayer is more beneficial then speaking long prayers while your mind thinks about the movie you saw last week.

A great way to begin the day before your feet even hit the floor is to make the Sign of the Cross while saying a short ejaculatory prayer such as: "Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on me" or "Glory to thee Lord Jesus Christ".......etc.