Devote Time To Prayer

Beads of Joy 02-05-10

Devote Time To Prayer
©2010 James Dacey, Jr. SFO

Hello Everyone,

Today let's take the time to reflect on what we can do to increase our prayer life, there are so many ways we can pray in private or at Mass or in the Word. There are so many variations of prayer that lead us to God, that we just need to take the time to find out what works best for us. I personally like the variety of all different kinds of prayer and devotion, I even like just straight out long talks with God while I am alone driving, and even try silence before Him, thinking of Him. Depending on what version of the bible you have, you can find almost two hundred places that refer to prayer. Today we can reflect on a few to see how truly important it is. I really enjoy scripture (guess that's obvious), there is a certain power within those pages that sends my heart and soul soaring into the Heavens.

In our prayer life, it is important that we do not let pride be the reason we pray, "And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you." Matthew 6:5-6 How much more powerful private prayer really is when it is done in secret, one on one with God. Our relationship is with God, He is our Father, we must develop that relationship as much as we can as privately as we can. By doing so, we are not trying to make ourselves look holy before everyone. We must somehow incorporate prayer into our daily activities. Prayer holds great value in our spiritual life.

Now lets see a couple scriptures devoted to prayer. "But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word." Acts 6:4. We can make scripture a big part of our prayer life. I like incorporating it into my blog research. The word is so powerful, so insightful, and I have to tell you no matter how times you refer back to the same scripture over and over through the years, the reflection and impact in your life changes. It all depends on where you are in your life, and in meditating on scripture the depth of those verses and readings will change with your needs and experiences. It is so powerful, I keep a journal so I see how I understand scripture differently at different times in my life. "For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with gratitude; for it is sanctified by means of the word of God and prayer." 1 Timothy 4:4-5 and, "The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much." James 5:16

Do you see how much fun it can to go through scripture while meditating on the word. There are so many gems of wisdom to be found in God's word. "With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints," Ephesians 6:18 Now here's a very popular well known verse when it comes to prayer, "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God." Philippians 4:6 and "Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving;" Colossians 4:2 I pray that your prayer life grows and that your quest for God, His love, and His mercy fill you with an overflowing never ending Joy !!!

So I say, pray everyday, I enjoy the rosary, you may prefer scripture, no matter how, please find time for prayer.


Your brother in Christ Jesus & His Most Blessed Mother,
Jim (The Rosary Man) Dacey Jr SFO