We can pray anytime, e.g., in the middle of the night when we lie awake or on the way to and from work and we can pray anywhere, e.g., in our vehicle, bathroom, walking on the beach and so forth. We can and should pray in the way that feels comfortable for us and, at the same time, be open to trying new ways of praying.

While we are encouraged to pray anytime and anywhere, we are also strongly encouraged to develop the excellent habit of spending a quiet time with God. This is a time when we are doing nothing else but trying to communicate with God Our Creator and Sustainer, in whom "we live, move and have our being."

There are 96 fifteen-minute periods in every day. Doesn't it make sense to give the One who sustains us during every minute of every day our total attention for one or two of those fifteen-minute periods? How might one spend a quiet time with God? The following are some suggestions:

BECOME AWARE OF GOD'S PRESENCE

Begin by taking a moment to become aware of God's presence and love. "Dear Lord, I believe that you are with me. In you, I live, move and have my being. I thank you for your gift of life and for the gift of this time of prayer. Teach me how to pray well and to be fully present to you."

Just rest and relax in God's presence for a few minutes. The psalmist exhorts us, "Be still and know that I am God."

If you become distracted and you most likely will, try not to be upset. When you become aware of a distraction, just leave it and return to being quiet in the presence of God and Jesus. You may experience many distractions, but remember that God is very pleased that you are making an effort to be totally present to him. Of course, sometimes we may need to make our distraction the focus of our prayer, e.g., a relationship we are having problems with. If there is some issue you need to talk to God about, this will be a good time to do so.

Name the issue, your thoughts, feelings and struggles. Be present to the issue and try to imagine what Jesus might say to you about this issue. Your willingness to bring the issue to prayer is wonderful in itself.

LISTEN TO GOD SPEAK TO YOU

When you feel ready, you may want to pick up the Bible or a favorite devotional or spiritual book and slowly read it. (The mind-set for spiritual reading is different from the mind-set we bring to a novel, a magazine or newspaper. In spiritual reading, we read meditatively and with our hearts.) When some word or phrase touches you, pause and mull over it for a few moments. The word or phrase may comfort you, challenge you or intrigue you. Stay with the word or phrase as long as you want to and then read on. Do not let reading a certain number of pages or chapters become a goal. It is better to read six lines that touch you than six pages that you race through without any spiritual benefit.

PRAYERS OF PETITION AND INTERCESSION

Petitionary prayer is prayer for oneself and intercessory prayer is prayer for others. I have written down on an envelope a list of one-liner prayers which I frequently go over. Sometimes, I just say, "Lord, I offer up to you the intentions on my prayer list." Consider drawing up your own personal prayer list. The following are some samples of "one-liner prayers" which might help you to draw up your own"one-liners."

"God, today I thank you for ..........................."

"Jesus, protect me and my loved ones today from all spiritual and physical harm."

"Jesus, help me this day to follow your ways."

You may want to name one or more areas of your life where you especially need God's strength, e.g., an illness, your own or a family member's, patience, lust, jealousy, bad temper, forgiveness, etc. So, your prayer may be:

"Jesus, I especially ask you to help me to forgive N and to help me in my struggle with lustful thoughts and feelings." Or, "Jesus help me to deal with and be patient with my loss of health, loved one, etc.

"Jesus, help me in my work situation" (If need be, name specific ways you need help.)

"Jesus, help me today to be a loving husband" (or wife) and, tf needed, add, "Jesus, help our marriage," or "help us in this area of our relationship."

"Holy Spirit, grant me love and wisdom in my relationship with my children."

"Jesus, in my single state, I sometimes feel lonely. Help me to feel your comforting presence."

"Jesus, may the dying and their caregivers experience your comforting presence. Grant the dying the grace of a peaceful death."

"Jesus, I lift up to you all who asked me to pray for them, especially the sick and suffering members of our community."

"Jesus, be with all who will receive bad news today. Strengthen them and their loved ones."

"Jesus, touch the heart of women considering an abortion. Help them to choose life and send them people to support them in this decision."

"Jesus may all those whom you are calling to the priesthood and religious life hear and answer your call.

"Holy Spirit, guide and bless our government and church leaders. Give them a deep desire to seek and follow your ways in all things."

"Jesus, bless with the grace of perseverance, agencies, ministries and individuals who work daily to lead the poor out of their cycle of poverty."

Remember, the above list is just a sample. Once again, I encourage you to develop your own list which you will, most likely, revise from time to time. Developing a personal prayer list is a very positive step: