Comments on: Sneaking Prayer Into Busy Family Life

By: radicalcatholicmom

radicalcatholicmom — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 00:45:27 +0000

Jenny, I think you ask a legit question and it was that very thing that prevented me from praying in my car for a very long time. But, like Nate, with time, time somehow doesn’t increase so I finally had to give in and realize we are called where we are and prayer belongs where we are, so there you go.

Now, I don’t notice me being distracted, it is interesting because I realize sometimes I really get deep in prayer, thinking about the people we are praying for, thinking about the Mystery or the words of the Divine Mercy, anyway, sometimes when I look to see what my speed is, I am right where I need to be. Also, there are times I am just mumbling words and my daughter will clearly tell me when I speed up the Rosary “Mom! You’re crazy!!” Thank God for kids!

I would recommend trying it for one week and see how it goes for you. I have been pleasantly surprised.

By: Nate Wildermuth

Nate Wildermuth — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 23:23:00 +0000

Also, I have found my prayer life suffering from a great shortage of time recently. But that reminds me of two things – one a story about Mother Theresa, where she invited some young priests to pray with her for an hour and they said they didn’t have enough time because they had to go to a class or something. So she told them – “then you should come and pray for two hours.”

The other thing is that I decided to turn off all the lights in my house a few days ago after the sun went down. I took out the candles. And it was like the entire night took on a contemplative mood, and just opened up to some really deep prayer. All the “things” that had to be done just couldn’t get done . . . except prayer. That, and dinner and dishes by candlelight. Romantic AND prayerful!

By: Nate Wildermuth

Nate Wildermuth — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 23:20:13 +0000

Thanks for sharing this, RCM! I’m inspired.

I wonder how far one could take this, praying ceaselessly. Have you heard of the Jesus prayer, or the book Way of the Pilgrim?

Jenny, I’ve never had a problem with the rosary on a long trip. It actually helps clear the mind, I think. As a contemplative prayer, the focus is on the mystery instead of the words . . .

By: Michael J. Iafrate

Michael J. Iafrate — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 16:54:24 +0000

Thanks for this post! We need more like this…

By: Jenny

Jenny — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 16:30:11 +0000

I have heard of people praying devotions while driving, but how does this work exactly? If you are paying proper attention to your prayer, aren’t you a distracted driver? If you are paying proper attention to your driving, aren’t you just mumbling words not really praying?

I’m not trying to be a contrarian; I am really asking. I spend 1.5-2 hours commuting every day. I have thought about doing something similar, but haven’t for the above reasons. How do the mechanics of this practice work for you?

By: annaldavis

annaldavis — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 16:15:36 +0000

I love praying in the car!! I also have young children and this has become my favorite place to pray.