Comments on: I talk to God all day… Is it really necessary to have dedicated prayer time?

By: danburke

danburke — Sat, 09 Jan 2010 16:39:28 +0000

Angela – great feedback. We have two altars in our home – both dedicated spaces for prayer. It really helps to enter into a space like this, specially prepared, to draw our hearts to Christ through the use of special physical environments etc…

By: Angela

Angela — Sat, 09 Jan 2010 13:05:17 +0000

I felt the same way before — that my general prayerfulness was enough of a spiritual life until I started listening to people and reading books that were telling me otherwise. The Catechism said it best: “But we cannot pray “at all times” if we do not pray at specific times, consciously willing it. These are the special times of Christian prayer, both in intensity and duration.” 2697
Waking early to carve out some special time to pray has been a huge blessing to me and I have also started creating times in the middle of the day. When you hear how many times in Scripture Jesus 'went away to pray' you have to think — if He needed to do that, all the more must I! He must have easily been able to remain connected to his Father and yet He gave dedicated time to prayer.
My next project is creating a special space for prayer (the Catechism calls that a personal or family oratory).

By: joy

joy — Sat, 09 Jan 2010 07:06:55 +0000

Some people in the different stages of their life practice different forms of prayer, it can be helpful to have this style of prayer and it is incredibly life changing. Like Father mentioned do whatever CHRIST is asking you to do. It's important we remember there are as many paths to heaven as there are people.

By: danburke

danburke — Sat, 09 Jan 2010 01:20:58 +0000

Thank you for your encouragement and example. God bless.

By: Sharon

Sharon — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 23:59:40 +0000

I have had this same question in the past and what I can say from experience is that although talking to Him all day long is wonderful and does keep the relationship and friendship open, but it's nothing compared to the spiritual growth I've experienced when I make the committment to a specific day/time on a regular basis… especially in regard to uncovering “roots” to vices or bad habits or blocks. Fr. Bartunek column titled “A Simple Guide to Christian Meditation” actually describes it great and helped to produce much good fruit… Thanks for such a great website.

By: Mary

Mary — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 23:56:08 +0000

A wonderful reply you have given here Father. I guess the best time I love is the daily Holy Hour before the Blessed Sacrament in the Adoratioln Chapel before the Eucharistic Celebration. For those who can find time for this Hour, they will find it the best way to really enter into that personal convesation with our Saviour