Prayer Time

Barb Spies, OFS, Director of Mission Services and Pastoral Care

Prayer is a gift that allows us to walk on our spiritual journey. I recently read a reflection by a friend who went on a pilgrimage. She had the beautiful opportunity to walk the Camino de Santiago in Spain. On that walk, she had much time to be in conversation with God. Her physical journey was also a spiritual one. The hours and hours of walking she accomplished also gave her hours and hours of time to build her relationship with God.

What do we use our time to accomplish? My To Do list is always full. I dream of boredom! But that list should include prayer. Just as we work at relationships with our partners, our family, and our friends, we also need to work at our loving relationship with God. Prayer is our personal approach to God. We are called to prayer in community settings, like our worship time on Sundays. We are also called to prayer in private settings, like the moment we rise from our beds and greet the Lord to start our days.

Saint Francis wrote the Praises of God, which offer us a beautiful place to start in prayer. “You are the holy Lord God Who does wonderful things. You are strong. You are great. You are the Most High. You are love, charity. You are wisdom, you are humility. We give you thanks for your great glory.” Starting with that gratefulness to God for all the wonders of God’s creation sets us on our way along that Camino. We may not have the opportunity to participate in days of pilgrimage with miles of walking and prayer. But we can offer our time to God at specific times each day, building our relationship.

What is essential to any relationship? Time and effort are required. Consider how your prayer life has changed over time. Has it allowed you to build that connection with The Creator? Take the time to continue your walk with God. Now I’m humming the hymn “Just a Closer Walk with Thee.” Join  me on the walk!

Blessed Angela: “Ask Him about everything and He will respond and enlighten you.”