Many times it can feel disheartening when we try (and fail) to engage others in a faith conversation and we just wish we had the right words and all the answers for our searching brothers and sisters. Thankfully, God has, is, and always will be in control of the conversion process. We, however, are a vital part of His process and we can only be used for His glory if we are able to follow His lead, and following someone's lead requires understanding of instructions. Prayer is how we receive His instructions.
"When we are praying regularly, our discernment goes from trying to interpret the hand gestures of a first base coach when we are not on the team to having that coach whisper directly into our ears exactly what we should do. It is an absolute essential." (Gress,
The following are different ways to foster your prayer life so that you can start giving to others, not what you have, but what God gives you.
-Mass-
Aside from the most important miracle that happens at every Mass, Jesus giving Himself to us through the Eucharist, our petitions for our loved ones are the closest to Jesus when we state them during the Mass. If you humbly tell Jesus who needs his love and guidance, rest assure He hears your prayers at Mass.
St. Bart's Mass Schedule
Saturday 5:00 pm, Sunday 8:30 am and 10:30 am, School Mass Wednesday 9:00 am, daily mass times vary and are posted online and in the bulletin.
-Adoration-
Bring everything, your joys, your fears, your worries, your sorrows, every single person that needs Jesus, and bring all of that and lay it down at the foot of the cross. "While the fruit of Adoration may not be immediately apparent, over time it reveals itself more through what you say to others and how you say it, particularly as your own heart continues to be transformed."
St. Bart's Adoration Schedule
4:30-7:30 pm, Wednesdays when faith formation is in session. The first Friday of the month. Check the bulletin and website for changes.
-The Rosary-
Inviting the Blessed Mother to come alongside us in our efforts to evangelize can bring many blessings and using the rosary as a prayer tool is armoring us up for the spiritual battle. Remember, it is our mission given to us from Christ Himself to be the light of the world. Praying the rosary helps us to meditate on the life of Jesus and so that our light will keep shining even in the darkness.
Rosary For Life- Second Sunday at 9:45 am in the chapel
Rosary Society- Meets the first Thursday of every month at 12:30 pm
-Prayers of Praise and Gratitude-
"When evangelizers rise from prayer, their hearts are more open; freed of self-absorption, they are desirous of doing good and sharing their lives with others"- Pope Francis
Do you want to praise and thank God more? Try reading one Psalm a day or start a gratitude journal to record all the beautiful ways that God is working in your life.
-Intercessory Prayer-
"No man can do me a truer kindness in this world than to pray for me." -Charles Spurgeon
One idea of intercessory prayer is to use novenas as a prayer tool to pray on behalf of someone who is struggling with their relationship with Jesus. A few saints that would be honored to help support your prayers are Sts. Peter and Paul, St. Jerome, St. Augustine, St. Patrick, St. Francis of Assisi, St. Ignatius of Loyola, St. Francis Xavier, St. Juan Diego, St. Daniel Comboni, and St. Therese of the Child Jesus.
-Lectio Divina-
"As we become more and more familiar with the life of Christ and the fingerprints of God in both the Old and New Testaments, it becomes easier to share his Word, his heart, and his message with others."
St. Bart's Bible Study- Thursdays at 6:30 pm and Fridays at 8:30 am