Stewardship Of Prayer

     Stewardship is often referred to in the wonderful alliterative words Time, Talent and Treasure. In Christian Stewardship terms, these categories are often used in terms of Prayer, Service and Sharing. Prayer is about our relationship with God and, as with most of our relationships, it’s not always smooth sailing. For some, prayer comes easily. But for many of us, it’s definitely a work-in-progress. Take, for example, Fr. Michael J. Allelo, Diocesan priest at St. Philomena in Baton Rouge, Louisiana:

     For the past 15 years I’ve been attempting to figure out how to pray. I’ve searched for every “Praying for Dummies” book published, but I’ve come to learn they aren’t much help. Everyone has suggestions on how to pray, from the great spiritual writers to my grandmother. Ultimately it’s up to each of us to determine what prayer style works best.

     I’ve spent a great deal of time and energy creating the perfect prayer space: comfortable chair, low lamplight, sacred images, live plants, water feature, and plenty of prayer aids including my journal, Bible, and prayer cards with favorite quotes of saints. In the end, I’ve learned that all I need is a quiet place without any technology.

     Typically prayer begins my day, before I have time to be distracted by the busyness of life. Once the coffee has dripped, I’ll grab a cup, find a comfortable place to sit, and be present to the God of Wonders that surrounds us. I’ve found when I’m able to ease into the day with prayer, I’m much more likely to be attentive to God. If it’s a comfortable morning I find myself on the back porch, listening to the birds greet the day, with the fountain trickling in the background. I like to begin with a few minutes of meditation, a simple breathing activity to enter into my prayer time. I close my eyes, concentrate on the pace and depth of my breath, and say silently: “Breathe in God’s peace and love, breathe out any frustration or worry.”

     Recently I’ve begun to use the examen that St. Ignatius Loyola taught his followers. Reviewing the previous day allows me to see where I may have missed God throughout the hustle, and it offers me an opportunity to see where I could have been more Christ-centered or joyful. In the evening, I’m typically pretty exhausted and simply want to relax, so I use the mornings to refocus and review. I often conclude my time by calling to mind all those who have asked me to pray for them.

     When asked about prayer, Pope John Paul II once said, “Pray any way you like, so long as you do pray.” That’s comforting for someone like me who has gone through many prayer phases.While attending college and searching for direction in my life, I spent a great deal of time in the adoration chapel at a nearby parish, journaling and begging God to show me the way. Then there was a praise and worship period where I’d listen to music that offered a message of hope or encouragement. Music truly lifted my prayer to a new level and still does today. In the seminary I’d huddle in the chapel with fellow seminarians, praying the liturgy of the hours. Community prayer was never very fruitful for this extrovert; I need the quiet of my room to truly focus.

     For years I’d set a kitchen timer for at least 30 minutes of prayer time, but I’ve learned to trust my heart. Prayer is a discipline that requires my time for it to be fruitful, but each day is different, and God can work wonders. Some days 10 minutes can feel like an hour, and other days I can sit for an hour and feel like I’ve accomplished nothing.

     After six years of priesthood, I’ve learned that parishioners expect me to love their devotions and prayer forms, to pray as they do. But the beauty of our church is our diversity. While their prayer may not be my own, I’m uplifted by their commitment to prayer and, in particular, their commitment to pray for me.

     Reprinted from “Private Practices: The Real Prayer Lives of Catholics”, November 2013, U.S. Catholic (Vol. 78, No. 11, pages 12-17)