Daily Prayer

Daily prayer seems like an obvious truth all Christians know, but very few actually do it or understand why it’s important.

I so often see people just pray off a list of petitions as their daily prayer. While petitioning God is one element of prayer, it isn’t the main part.

Every Christian should try to have a daily prayer rule that they stick to. There are plenty out there, from the large liturgy of the hours to the simple little office of the Virgin Mary. Pick whatever rule you find doable and spiritually fulfilling.

Next, you should prepare a special spot to do your daily prayers. Of course, it’s not absolutely necessary but if you have the space and resources you should really try. For Roman Catholics, a simple coffee table with a cross and maybe some saint statures will do nicely. If you are a Byzantine Catholic like me or just like eastern spirituality, you should pick up some icons and an incense burner. Traditionally, the common icons are Jesus, Mary, and your personal patron saint.

Now that you have the space, now you have to make the time. Don’t be overzealous if you are not used to daily structured prayer. Try to find a prayer rule that has a morning and an evening prayer. This will allow you to stay consistent practically and it will enable you to have the lord on your mind from first thing in the morning until you go to bed.

Some might say why must I have a prayer rule? Isn’t personal talk with God for ten minutes each morning sufficient?

I would of course say personal petitions and praise is, of course, integral to our Christian lives, prayer rules help establish constant praise of God.

Prayer rules also help us with our own personal prayer. Once you pray a daily prayer rule, you will find yourself using those words for your own prayers. So in a sense, a prayer rule teaches us how to pray.

Why is constant prayer important?

Prayer helps us come to understand God more. Our good works come from prayer, not the other way around.

Here’s a quote from Saint Evagrius that I think sums it up pretty well:

“If you are a theologian you truly pray. If you truly pray you are a theologian.”

So I encourage all of you, whether a Catholic or not to start a daily routine of prayer and you’ll see the fruit start to bear.