Aspiring to Pray Always?
Try these short prayers!
Try these short prayers!
Last month we learned the desert fathers’ key to praying always: They frequently raised their hearts and minds to God by uttering short prayers called aspirations. St. Benedict followed their example, teaching his monks that their prayers should be “pure and short.” This enables a monk to pray throughout the day despite his circumstances; he calls upon God to combat temptations, he prays for someone in need or asks for strength. And he prays when occupied with tasks: walking, eating, providing hospitality, studying or gardening.
Last month we learned the desert fathers’ key to praying always: They frequently raised their hearts and minds to God by uttering short prayers called aspirations. St. Benedict followed their example, teaching his monks that their prayers should be “pure and short.” This enables a monk to pray throughout the day despite his circumstances; he calls upon God to combat temptations, he prays for someone in need or asks for strength. And he prays when occupied with tasks: walking, eating, providing hospitality, studying or gardening.
Though it is necessary to reserve daily time for prayer, long meditations are not always possible. Yet we can always pray using the example of these desert fathers and monks. Daily tasks such as preparing a meal, commuting, attending a meeting or even grocery shopping become opportunities for inviting God into our day.
We can send God “darts of love” by creating our own prayers. Begin by choosing a short prayer or Scripture passage, or create one to say throughout the day – perhaps every hour, or in a specific daily situation (when experiencing temptations, driving or even picking up your phone). These can be as simple as, “Jesus, I love you,” “Jesus, Mary, Joseph, I love you, save souls,” or “Mary, be for me a mother.”
These prayers should naturally spring from our hearts. That is why they are called darts. Fired from the heart’s depths, they ascend to God and raise our thoughts to him. Frequently returning to these prayers, they become second nature to us. Similar to breathing, they should become effortless, a rhythm of the soul.
At right are some examples of aspirations to incorporate into your prayer.
To lessen distraction during prayer:
“Lord, teach me how to pray.” (Lk 11:1)
When tempted against faith:
“Lord, I believe. Help my unbelief.” (Mk 9:24); “Lord, increase my faith!” (Lk 17:5)
To grow in trust:
“Jesus, I trust in you”; “Jesus, I surrender myself to you, take care of it.”
When tempted to pride:
“Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.” (The Jesus Prayer)
When tempted to greed:
“What does it profit a man to gain the whole world and lose his soul?” (Mk 8:36)
To express gratitude:
“The Lord has done great things for me, and holy is his name.” (Lk 1:49); “Thank you, Lord.”
When seeking help:
“Give us this day our daily bread” (Mt 6:11); “O God, come to my assistance.”
When passing a Catholic Church:
“May the Eucharistic heart of Jesus be praised, adored, and loved.”
When asking for wisdom or starting a project:
“Holy Spirit, enlighten me!”
When tired:
“Lord, you are my resting place!”
Offering up your work:
“I give this work to you in love.”
In times of instability, sorrow or needing courage:
“The Lord is my rock.” (Ps 18:2)
This month, let God know you are thinking about him often. Pick an aspiration which resonates with you and incorporate it into your day. Write it down, set it on your locked phone screen, put it on a mirror or on your desk to remind you to say it. The more frequently you repeat your act of love, the easier it will be to pray always.
Maria Cintorino holds a degree in theology. Her writings have appeared in several publications including Homiletic and Pastoral Review, Our Sunday Visitor and the National Catholic Register.
