Book Notes: Prompt Me to Pray

Barb Szyszkiewicz reviews a practical book about prayer by CatholicMom contributor Monica McConkey.

Chapter 18 of the Gospel of Luke opens with Jesus telling His disciples a parable about "the necessity of praying always without becoming weary."

Constant prayer doesn't come easy. Maybe we think we're too busy to pray like that. Maybe we know we're too distracted. Maybe we just don't know where to start.

Monica McConkey has compiled practical tips for prayer in a new combination guidebook/journal/prayer resource, Prompt Me to Pray. This 115-page book encourages the reader to create "reminders and cues to acknowledge God's Presence and to prompt us to pray more often, throughout daily life" (4). Inspired by the spiritual classic The Practice of the Presence of God, Monica has spent years seeking ways to reinforce her prayer life, and she shares what she's learned in this new book.

prompt me cover with shadow

Here are some of the many prayer helps you'll find inside Prompt Me to Pray:

Short, simple prayers for guidance in learning to pray
Tips on praying a daily Rosary
Encouragement to use visual cues as prayer reminders (I do this: it definitely works!)
Journal pages to help you set up a prayer plan that works with your schedule and life circumstances
Worksheets to guide you through praying in times of temptation, annoyance, suffering, and impatience
Advice on making personal prayer a sustainable habit
Reproducible Pocket Prayer cards to carry with you, keep in the car, hang on the fridge, or even use as bookmarks so you can pray anywhere and everywhere
Reproducible prayer intention page
Reproducible prayer starters

This book is sprinkled with Monica's artistic touches, which add to its accessible, friendly feel. That same artistic touch adorned the envelope in which my copy of the book was mailed! Check out the stamp pictured here: "St Anthony, guide my mail." Find this stamp and more at Monica's Arma Dei Prayer Impressions Shop.

Prompt Me to Pray with stamp