Pray, Pray, Pray

It seems that what the world desperately needs is a lot of prayer, especially for peace. So what are some simple and practical ways we can increase the amount of time we spend in prayer?

When driving, have a rosary or chaplet download or cd that you can play and pray as you drive.  There are countless Catholic and Christian music stations.  Find one and set it on your radio and when you are waiting in traffic during your commute either quietly inside or out loud with song, praise God. That way, as you drive you are praying and it's really quite effortless.  Depending on how often you are in your car, you can really increase the amount of time you are dedicating to prayer.  

When you are in the shower, pray the Hail Mary, Our Father, and Glory Be as you wash your hair, rinse it, and condition/rinse it.  That will add a few minutes of time dedicated to prayer everyday.

While you are waiting in line at the grocery store (or any store for that matter), offer the time you are waiting to the Lord to use for an increase in peace in the world.  Quietly, in your heart, pray any prayers you know by heart.  You'll be surprised by how patiently you will be waiting.

When you are cooking breakfast or dinner, quietly in your heart, offer prayers to the Lord.  The prayers can be as simple as, "Jesus, I love You. Thank You for all You have blessed me with.  Thank You for my family, my home, my freedom."  Just let the words flow and pray a prayer of gratitude for everything in your life including struggles, illness, and difficulties.

When waiting for a child at a practice, in line waiting to pick up children from school, on the bus/train/subway during your commute to and from work, quietly read a small prayer book. The wait will fly by and you will have spent a 1/2 hour, hour or more in prayer.

While working, if allowed, have an ipod with prayers or praise music that you can listen to through your headphones.  No one will know but you and God, but maybe your workload won't seem so overwhelming and you may get more done while you are adding prayer time to your day.

I'm sure there are countless more ways to increase the mount of time you spend in prayer.  Just think about it.  And do what you are led to do.  You will not regret it.