Prayer-

In researching what separates the 7% of Dynamic Catholics from the other 93%, Matthew Kelly found 264 distinct characteristics. However, he grouped them into four areas. The first is daily prayer.

But let’s start with a math quiz. Suppose that there are 8 Catholics eating dinner discussing this issue. Now suppose that 3 of them decide to leave and try to change or upgrade their lives. How many Catholics are left at the dinner? Answer, there are still 8. Deciding or even trying to do something is not the same as actually doing it. You need to actually do it. This book goes to great lengths to not overwhelm a person. We can commit to small changes each week and form new habits. Usually it takes about a month to form a new habit.

When asked almost all Catholics say that they pray; most say they do each day. But they do so when the mood hits them. Whereas the committed Catholics actually have a routine within a routine. This is to say that they pray at the same time each day in the same place each day and the same way each day. They find a comfortable quiet place and follow the same exercise each day. What do they do?

Unfortunately we do a poor job of teaching Catholics how to pray, so they have stumbled into a method by trial and error. Some of them go to daily Mass. Some read a chapter of scripture then dwell on something that catches their attention. Some read a few pages from a spiritual book. Whatever you choose to do start small and add a little each week.

We learn to talk to God as if he is a loving father which he is. For those of us that were fortunate enough to grow up in a loving, fully functional family, this is easy but for others you may have to look to some other relationship that was nurturing as you grew up. Then talk to God about your day and the coming events seeking strength and guidance. Remember to adopt an attitude of gratitude, giving thanks for all the good the Lord has done for us.

Blessed be the name of the Lord.