Hope and a Whole Lotta Prayer: Pray Each Day

Editor's Note: On the weekends during the month of September, we'll be featuring excerpts from Barbara Canale's new daily devotional for parents of teens, Hope and a Whole Lotta Prayer. In the introduction, the author describes this books as "a vitamin to boost the soul." Enjoy these reflections on how parents of teens can survive--and thrive--during those turbulent years, by turning to God in the troubled and joyful times. --Barb

Pray Each Day

The next day, while they were on their way and nearing the city, Peter went up to the roof terrace to pray at about noontime. He was hungry and wished to eat, and while they were making preparations he fell into a trance (Acts 10:9–10).

This passage describes how Peter received a revelation during his special prayer time. Peter set aside time each day to pray because he knew God speaks to us through times of silence and prayer. Even though we know God does this, it can be hard to break away from chores or our job to listen to God’s messages. Peter was busy, too, but he made time every day to pray. When you institute a daily prayer routine, God’s voice becomes familiar.

Are you too busy to pray regularly? Look for those times when you might peruse social-networking sites, read magazines, or watch mindless TV shows, and use some of that time to pray. Maybe you could talk to God as you drive to work or to the grocery store. Consider praying as you stand in line at a store to make a purchase. There are many opportunities to reach out to God, even if it’s only a few minutes. Could you get up earlier by making an appointment with God to listen to him? If you made an appointment with the dentist, you wouldn’t break it. Therefore, don’t break your appointment with God, either.

REFLECT

Get in the habit of setting time aside every day to pray, like Paul did. Maybe after dinner, instead of reading the paper or watching the news on TV, give that time to the Lord. Ask him to help you raise your teenager, give you spiritual direction, or ask him to create in you the very best possible version of yourself.

PRAY

Dear Heavenly Father,

Help me to set aside time to be in your presence. Teach me to listen to your messages and transform my heart into one that is generous, loving, and forgiving. I want to be more like you, Lord. Amen.

From Hope and a Whole Lotta Prayer: Daily Devotions for Parents of Teenagers. Copyright Liguori Publications, 2015. Used with permission. Available at Liguori.org.

About the author:

Courtesy of Parker Stone Photography. All rights reserved.

Barbara Canale’s writing career began after she adopted her two daughters, now young adults, from Romania. She writes for the Catholic Sun in Syracuse, NY and has contributed to eleven Chicken Soup for the Soul books. Her devotional books include the latest Hope and a Whole Lotta Prayer (2015) for parents of teenagers, the award-winning Prayers, Papers, and Play (2013) for college students, and To Have and to Hold (2014) for married couples.