The subject of this prayer time is something that is on your mind – part of your daily life right now. It might be a relationship, a decision you need to make, a fear that you have, something you have to do that you don't want to, a hope or desire you have, and on and on; anything that is taking the mental energy of your memory, imagination, reasoning, etc. This is especially effective if you have tried to pray with scripture or another prayer form and keep finding yourself distracted. Bring the distraction to this prayer exercise!

 

Steps for prayer

1. Think about this memory, fear; this distraction. Get the general "feel" or experience that it gives you. What emotions is it wrapped up in? Try to distinguish fear, anger, hurt, or happiness, joy, peace, confidence etc.

2. Then take several deep breaths. With your feet firmly on the floor be sure that you are in a relaxed and receptive posture – comfortable but able to stay awake.

3. Imagine yourself in a beautiful place where you are safe and alone – able to wait for God to come and meet you there. Ask God to send the Holy Spirit to pray in you. Ask to be allowed to experience God intimately in this prayer. Ask to know God as one who loves you unconditionally.

4. Formulate your idea, fear, feelings whatever in words as well as you can – and tell God exactly what you think is going on inside you. Be patient with yourself as you struggle to describe what this "thing" is that you are struggling with.

5. As you focus on this "distraction" listen to your own body. How does thinking about this make you feel? Why?  Stay with the feelings and ask God to enter in and illuminate whatever is happening in you that you need to know or understand better. If it is a relationship that you are praying about, bring the whole relationship to God and describe how you feel about it and why. If you feel wronged tell God so. If frightened say so – you might need help to know what you think is causing your feeling. If the thing you are bringing evokes joy and delight in you – tell God all about that and thank the Divine presence for granting you this great gift. If you have strong feelings well up – joy, sadness, anger, resentment, etc. Stop and tell God directly how you are feeling and why. What may happen here is another "voice" may enter into dialogue with your story voice. Relax and let this second voice speak what it wants to – do not tell it what to say.

6. Imagine Jesus coming and sitting next to you. Turn and look at him and tell him how you feel as you "receive" this part of your life.

7. Take a few moments to write down how you feel. You might want to write a letter to God telling him what you think of this time of prayer, or you might just want to record what happened to your feelings in the course of the prayer.

8. End by reciting the Our Father, by singing a favorite psalm refrain, or by a slow and careful sign of the cross.