As many know, the Diocese of Wichita has many adoration chapels.  We at St. Paul’s Parish Newman Center have adoration on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays when school is in session.  We started the Spring 2010 semester with a 40 Hours devotion.  It is my sincere hope that we are able to respond to God’s grace with seeking a deeper relationship with Him in prayer.  Yet, it is difficult to pray.  We can’t just jump into deep mystical experiences without having prayed much.  Yet, St. Theresa of Avila is clear about God revealing Himself to the novice prayers in the world.  Some receive this early on in a developing prayer relationship; others may not experience an affective consolation for years.  Nevertheless, it is good to have some practical guides to prayer.  Remember, the goal of prayer is not activity or constantly doing.  The goal of prayer is communion with God by listening and receiving.  Here are some ideas.  They are not exhaustive, and they can be adapted to each person.  Each hour has four quarters; so, divide your time into these quarters.  1) read and meditate on the Scripture for the day or the next or previous Sunday; 2) Rosary or Chaplet of Divine Mercy, or pray the Liturgy of the Hours 3) Read lives of the saints; 4) Spiritual Reading.  Now, it is very possible to not fill out 15 minutes with each of these practices.  Pray the rosary slower and more meditatively and have intentions while doing it.  Implement Lectio Divina with scripture so as to not simply race through the verses.  Permit the scripture to speak to you, and then let it sit for a minute or two.  In the midst of these segments of the hour there will be quiet moments.

Eventually, there could be time for only scripture and entering into the quiet.  The highest form of prayer is praise of God.  The Psalms and the saints show us how to do this.  Sorrow or contrition for sins plays a part to differing degrees depending on the state of our soul.  Intercessory (supplication) prayer is important as others have needs, even your own needs.  Are we thankful?  We receive many blessings and we often take them for granted.   Other aids to my prayer have been praying one of the following litanies: Litany of the Sacred Heart, Holy Name, or Eucharist.  The Litany of the saints is particularly helpful when I feel alone and desolate.  The saints remind us that all have struggled.  If we say to our friend, “You are so wonderful and I never want to see you.” Will we ever have a relationship?