Dear Parishioners,

I have often said in homilies, and these bulletin letters, that prayer is important to living the Christian life. I think intellectually, we all know that. The problem is that not many of us know how to pray. We can just sit there and wait for something to happen. But, that does not seem satisfying. Most people need some sort of structure to begin to pray. At the heart of prayer is a conversation with God. Sometimes, just like with human people, we need an ice breaker to begin that conversation.

I have been reading a book lately called, “Rediscover Jesus” by Matthew Kelly. In one chap-ter, he talks about what he calls the “Prayer Process” and I think it is a handy method to help someone to begin praying. If you are not one who prays often, you may want to give it a shot. There are seven steps. Take a few minutes to reflect on each step. If you find yourself stuck on a certain one, feel free to skip it. If you feel satisfied with the direction a step is taking you, feel free to stay with it. Overall, the goal of mental prayer is to focus on God and to give our thoughts and imagination to Him. I think you will be surprised by the results.

Peace,

Fr. Carter

From Matthew Kelly’s “Rediscover Jesus,” pages 122-123:

The Prayer Process

1. Gratitude: Begin by thanking God in a personal dialogue for whatever you are most grateful for today.

2. Awareness: Revisit the times in the past twenty-four hours when you were and were not the-best-version-of-yourself. Talk to God about these situations and what you learn from them.

3. Significant Moments: Identify something you experienced today and explore what God might be trying to say to you through that event (or person).

4. Peace: Ask God to forgive you for any wrong you have committed (against yourself, another person, or Him) and to fill you with a deep abiding peace.

5. Freedom: Speak with God about how He is inviting you to change your life, so that you can experience the freedom to be the-best-version-of-yourself.

6. Others: Lift up to God anyone you feel called to pray for today, asking God to bless and guide them.

7. Finish by praying the Our Father.