“If you are too busy to pray, you are too busy!”
St. Mother Teresa’s words are a powerful reminder for those feeling overwhelmed by the daily demands of life.
Despite the Missionaries of Charity’s challenging work with the poorest of the poor, in 1973, Mother Teresa introduced a daily “Holy Hour” of Eucharistic adoration to their routine, emphasizing prayer even amidst their busy schedules. Regardless of what they had to do, the sisters stopped their work and spent an hour with the Lord.
Most of us aren’t working over 15 hours a day attending to the sick and poor like the Missionaries of Charity. We can all find time to incorporate a daily prayer routine into our lives. Let’s look at how to make this happen.
The Power of Prayer
Mother Teresa’s decision might seem impractical given their workload, but she believed prayer was essential. She noted a profound change in her community, with deeper intimacy with Jesus, greater understanding among the sisters, and increased compassion for the poor.
She asserted, “If we don’t take time to pray, we could not do this work.” The same goes for every single one of us.
The Importance of Prayer
Prayer is essential for spiritual growth. St. Teresa of Avila described it as a friendship with God, and the Catechism calls it “the living relationship of the children of God with their Father” (CCC 2565).
Daily prayer reminds us of our identity as God’s children and enriches our lives with Christ’s Spirit.
Three Principles:
Here are three words/principles to help you incorporate prayer into your daily routine:
- Consistent: Like athletes training, build a routine. Start with just ten minutes a day to develop the habit and deepen your relationship with God.
- Quiet: Find a silent place free from distractions to give God your full attention. Prepare your mind by focusing on quieting and emptying your thoughts so you can fully experience your prayer.
- Simple: Begin with simple steps. Read a Bible passage or a devotional, then have a conversation with God about it. Pray a structured prayer, like the Rosary or Divine Mercy.
Take Action
Try practicing Lectio Divina and set a daily prayer goal. Find a prayer partner for accountability. Read a set amount of the Bible every night before bed. Set up a spot in your bedroom or home that can be used for daily prayer. Sign up for an adoration slot at your local parish. Join FOCUS’s monthly Rosary.
Additional Resources
Feeling overwhelmed by the balance between work and faith? Discover the deeper meaning behind St. Thomas Aquinas’s wisdom and learn about the “Universal Call to Rest.”
For even more great Catholic resources, check out our podcast, which features talks from our SEEK conference, and our YouTube channel for videos and more!
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