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An Invitation to Pray

Take a moment away from the worry and anxiety of these pandemic times to pray.

An Invitation to Pray

Take a moment away from the worry and anxiety of these pandemic times to learn about and try some of these prayer forms. The Catholic church has affirmed a rich variety of prayer forms that have emerged over the centuries. These prayer forms include meditation, contemplation, lectio divina, devotions, and more. God is with us in our uncertainty and struggle. Spend some time with God in prayer. Draw on that unmerited favor we call "grace" to help your family and you navigate the days and weeks ahead. This is a marathon not a sprint. God is near. Intentionally join with God on your daily journey.

Personal Prayer Life and Prayer Forms

Find out about the benefits of establishing a daily prayer practice. Learn about the various forms of prayer that have emerged over the centuries. 

 

Guidance on Developing a Prayer Life by Catholic Evangelist Matthew Kelly

This link takes you to a four-part video series on prayer with world-renowned Catholic evangelist and author Matthew Kelly. Listen to videos 4.0 to 4.3 to learn about the "classroom of silence," "why we pray," "the big question", and "the prayer process". This four-part series is drawn from Dynamic Catholic's "Decision Point" curriculum.

 

 A Prayer To Calm and Strengthen 

This audio prayer by Kerry Weber of America Media addresses the worry and anxiety that any of us might feel during this coronavirus pandemic. Listen and experience the comfort of God's presence through music, Kerry's petitions, and God's word.

 

LECTIO DIVINA

 

The Five Steps of Lectio Divina

Watch and learn how to pray the five-step method of Lectio Divina in this video provided by

the Paulist Evangelization Ministries

 

A Beginner's Guide to Lectio Divina

What is Lectio Divina? How does a person pray using this prayer form? Find out the steps in this 

brief article for beginners from Busted Halo. 

 

An Experience of Lectio Divina with Bishop David Walker

Bishop David Walker, bishop of the Catholic diocese of Broken Bay in Australia, models the "Guigo II" method of Lectio Divina. This 15-minute video can be used as a guide for an individual or a group. 

 

MEDITATION

Catholic meditation seeks to use the faculties of the mind to know the Lord, understand his love for us, and to move into deep union with him. Use of the mind “is necessary in order to deepen our convictions of faith, prompt the conversion of our heart, and strengthen our will to follow Christ.” (Catechism, 2708) Put simply, our goal is to answer the basic human question: “Lord, what do you want me to do?” (Catechism, 2706)

A Guide to Meditation 


Three-minute retreats


CONTEMPLATION

CONTEMPLATIVE PRAYER WITH FR. RICHARD ROHR

Father Richard Rohr has been practicing contemplative prayer for most of his life. 

And he is still practicing. What is contemplation? How does a person contemplate?

Why is it so important as a form of prayer today? Find out from Father Rohr in this 

nine-minute video. Father Rohr is a Franciscan priest of the New Mexico Province and 

founder of the Center for Action and Contemplation (CAC) in Albuquerque, New Mexico.  

 

DEVOTIONAL PRAYER

 

Prayer and Devotions -- from the U.S. Bishops website

 

Popular Devotional Prayer Practices Q & A

 

Praying the Rosary

 

Chaplet of Divine Mercy 

 

Chaplet of the Holy Family 

 

59 approved Catholic chaplets 

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CATHOLIC HEIRLOOM PRAYERS

 

Prayer to St. Jude

 

St. Jude is the patron saint of hope and impossible causes. Jude was one of Jesus'

original 12 Apostles. Jude preached the gospel with great passion, often in the most difficult

circumstances. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, Jude made a profound difference in many

people's lives as he offered them the word of God. The gospel tells us that Jude was a brother of

James the Less, also one of the original 12. They are described in the Gospel of Matthew as 

"brethren of Jesus," probably cousins. -- Excerpted from the National Shrine of St. Jude website


Prayer to St. Michael the Archangel

Angels -- messengers from God -- appear frequently in Scripture, but only Michael, Gabriel and Raphael are named. Michael appears in Daniel’s vision as “the great prince” who defends Israel against its enemies; in the Book of Revelation, he leads God’s armies to final victory over the forces of evil. Devotion to Michael is the oldest angelic devotion, rising in the East in the fourth century. The Church in the West began to observe a feast honoring Michael and the angels in the fifth century. Michael protects. Along with Gabriel and Raphael, the archangels are the patron saints of death, Germany, grocers, police officers, and radiologists. -- Excerpted from Saint of the Day, a feature of Franciscan Media website


Recommended Books on Prayer

Video Resources

Lectio Divina
What is Contemplative Prayer and Why is it so Needed? with Fr. Richard Rohr