NAS: Prayer!

I'm joining up again with the "Not Alone Series" for this weeks topic on prayer!

Since starting a new full time job, I have found it incredibly difficult to keep consistency in my prayer life. I definitely feel the lack going from having the Sacraments available to me every day at Franciscan to struggling to find Adoration in my city. Not being able to go to mass daily has been difficult for me as well. I've had to learn to adapt in whatever way I can! It takes me about an hour to get to and from work every day, so I've taken that time to be the bulk of my prayer time: saying a Rosary or Divine Mercy chaplet, or just talking to God about my day.

I've also noticed the profundity of the simple offerings that we give the Lord throughout our day. I think it is all too easy to beat myself up for not being able to squeeze mass and/or holy hours into my schedule but I need to remind myself that my whole day and life should be a prayer to Him. The simplest moments of thanks and praise for the little things in life mean the world to Jesus, and I need to not forget to include Him in my joys and struggles throughout the day!

One thing that I want to share (since this is a 'singleness' blog as well) that has been helpful to me in my spiritual journey is to have a "future husband journal". A friend suggested this to me and it has been really fun.  (Unfortunately I haven't written too much lately since I've been so busy!) I started writing things to my future spouse in a journal that I plan to give to him one day (or to give to the Lord if that is what He calls me to). But in it, I will write maybe something significant that happened in my prayer life that I would like to tell my husband, or if I am having a really rough day with the fact that he hasn't showed up yet, maybe I'll rant about that! (It's quite therapeutic...) Or I'll offer up small prayers or sacrifices during the week for our future marriage and/or children that I'll jot down in the journal as well. You can really make it whatever you would like. Just a small token that you can give to him one day that will show your journey with the Lord while waiting for him. It is really helpful because it makes the whole journey seem less ominous and more like it will actually come to a point someday. Who knows how long that will be, but it makes it seem more real. It also helps to keep me focused and a good reminder of what I am waiting and praying for!

One of my favorite prayers of all time is the poem by St. Anthony of Padua, "Be Satisfied With Me".
A lot of people just think of St. Anthony as being the one to help them find lost items, but this is probably one of the most beautiful things ever written. I'll close with this because nothing I can say afterwards can top it! Read it and weep :)

Be Satisfied with Me

by St. Anthony of Padua

Everyone longs to give themselves completely to someone,
To have a deep soul relationship with another,
To be loved thoroughly and exclusively.

But to a Christian, God says, "No, not until you are satisfied,
Fulfilled and content with being loved by Me alone,
With giving yourself totally and unreservedly to Me.
With having an intensely personal and unique relationship with Me alone.

Discovering that only in Me is your satisfaction to be found,
Will you be capable of the perfect human relationship,
That I have planned for you.
You will never be united to another
Until you are united with Me.
Exclusive of anyone or anything else.
Exclusive of any other desires or longings.
I want you to stop planning, to stop wishing, and allow Me to give you
The most thrilling plan existing . . . one you cannot imagine.
I want you to have the best. Please allow Me to bring it to you.

You just keep watching Me, expecting the greatest things.
Keep experiencing the satisfaction that I am.
Keep listening and learning the things that I tell you.
Just wait, that's all. Don't be anxious, don't worry
Don't look around at things others have gotten
Or that I have given them
Don't look around at the things you think you want,
Just keep looking off and away up to Me,
Or you'll miss what I want to show you.
And then, when you're ready, I'll surprise you with a love
Far more wonderful than you could dream of.

You see, until you are ready, and until the one I have for you is ready,
I am working even at this moment
To have both of you ready at the same time.
Until you are both satisfied exclusively with Me
And the life I prepared for you,
You won't be able to experience the love that exemplified your relationship with Me.
And this is perfect love.

And dear one, I want you to have this most wonderful love,
I want you to see in the flesh a picture of your relationship with Me.
And to enjoy materially and concretely the everlasting union of beauty, perfection and love that I offer you with Myself.
Know that I love you utterly. I AM God.
Believe it and be satisfied