Moms, how much time do you devote to prayer daily?

[kgreen]

A priest recommended a book called Holiness for Housewives to me. It's a pretty good book. My prayer life suffered a lot recently and we're having a terrible time. I actually had a priest tell me basically which prayers to say and I'm following that for now. It works, and prayer is getting better. Before I got in this rut I had a devotion to the holy souls and would pray for them a lot and try to gain indulgences and that was really helpful for as long as I did it. What you said sounds like "enough", although I don't think God is counting how many prayers you say. It's probably more your state of mind than anything. Also, I don't know the exact quote or where it was but something was said by the Virgin Mary about saving your soul by doing your duty of state. Don't neglect your duties, don't neglect your prayers. The little way of St Therese is really great as well.

[SaraLucille]

This thread has been very helpful, thanks ladies. All great ideas.

[alicewyf]

I really liked doing Angelus at noon with the children. 

My daughter seems to be phasing out her naps so this might be a good addition for us. All of a sudden the past two days, despite having a bad sinus infection, she's decided naps are out and potty training is in. I'm a little weirded out by it, but hey I guess she is growing up!

We say before meal prayers and night time prayers.

As far as other formal prayers, I have a hard time with them because I am so tired. So I have come up with an alternative. As I go about my day doing things like dishes, cooking, cleaning, etc, I pretend that I am doing this for the Holy Family. As I do things for my kids, especially  when they drive me insane, I try to pretend I am taking care of a little baby Jesus. I play Catholic kid's songs during the day and sing them, as well as songs to the BVM. We talk about heaven and hell. Whenever any of them lies or steals we (myself and the perpetrator) kneel in front of a crucifix and say we're sorry and ask for help to do better next time.

In a few years I am sure I will be able to add more formal prayers.

Aw those are some good ideas. I haven't had my daughter apologize to Jesus for any of the wrongs she's done so far, but that's a good idea. I also like the idea of praying while working. When my daughter was still nursing (and so high need she couldn't nap unless I laid next to her) I used to pray my rosary and other devotions while I laid next to her during her nap. I think I could sneak in more than a few prayers that way. Especially at my OB's office. The wait is usually an hour! Luckily he is a NaPro and Catholic doc so he wouldn't think I was too weird!

Thanks for all the ideas ladies! You've given me a lot to think about.

A priest recommended a book called Holiness for Housewives to me. It's a pretty good book. My prayer life suffered a lot recently and we're having a terrible time. I actually had a priest tell me basically which prayers to say and I'm following that for now. It works, and prayer is getting better. Before I got in this rut I had a devotion to the holy souls and would pray for them a lot and try to gain indulgences and that was really helpful for as long as I did it. What you said sounds like "enough", although I don't think God is counting how many prayers you say. It's probably more your state of mind than anything. Also, I don't know the exact quote or where it was but something was said by the Virgin Mary about saving your soul by doing your duty of state. Don't neglect your duties, don't neglect your prayers. The little way of St Therese is really great as well.

kgreen, would you mind sharing (if you're comfortable) what prayers the priest recommended to you? I'm curious.

[kgreen]

I don't mind. It's not a big deal. The problem with me was that I was hardly praying at all. He told me morning and night prayers are essential, and the thing about morning prayers is not how long they take but their promptness (how soon you do it after waking up). He just told me in the morning to say a thanksgiving for the day and offer up the whole day + 3 hail Marys, then for night prayers say the act of contrition and 3 hail Marys. Extremely simple but it has helped me a lot. Mine was a different situation because I was kind of in a crisis situation but it was very helpful and easy to do. If anyone is having trouble with prayers I would recommend it. And actually, saying these few prayers inspires you to say more prayers. I also say Rosary daily with the kids and husband.

[elizabee]

What a great thread! I constantly wonder/worry about this too. Yesterday I realized in bed I hadn't prayed at all that day and I felt horrible. I think the priest who said at least morning & night is essential is right on.
Something I struggle with is that I really dislike saying the Rosary (don't *really* want to get into explaining, it's just tedious for me and makes me feel trapped and panicky for sort of elaborate reasons), so whenever I read books like the Mother's Rule, which emphasize a daily Rosary, I'm just like, augh! I'd love to go to daily Mass, and do sometimes go to the local NO, but it's usually kind of yucky. :(
I try to be gentle with myself - day the morning & night prayers I've committed to - and if I can fit in something extra, like a part of the little office of the bvm, or some spiritual reading, or something, that's great, but otherwise it's okay too. I try to pray during dishes and times of need as well. I find that a bit hard. What I find easier is to take a pause when I'm feeling overwhelmed, visit our icon altar, and light some candles. We also have several prayer books there, so maybe I'll say a psalm or something before heading back to work. It lightens the heart.

[Gakmo]

Something I recently started doing... I have 3 in diapers. Every time I change a diaper I say a Hail Mary, Prayer to my Guardian Angel, and then "St. (insert child's namesake), pray for us" out loud. Trying to help foster a devotion to Mary, their Guardian angel, and their namesake saint. For me, I try to pray when driving, cooking and at night. For a family rosary, there is a youtube video in latin of the rosary with beautiful pictures. We all gather around the computer and the little ones can watch the pictures and the older ones can meditate on the prayer.

[Joan of Arc]

My prayer formula is predicated on Third Order SSPX membership: Morning and evening prayers, daily rosary and 15 minutes of mental prayer (quite a challenge sometimes with my children  ).

The SSPX also strongly encourages members to attend mass daily: Matt Talbot and I live quite a distance from both the SSPX school the children attend, as well as our chapel. On the rare occasions I drive the children to school, I try to attend the mass held at BVMMOG School. There is also an elderly retired priest who says the TLM privately near us. I am able to attend his mass sometimes.

Do what you can mom's. God understands. Fullfilling your duties in life safeguarding the young souls he has entrusted to our care is the greatest prayer of all. 

[verenaerin]

Something I recently started doing... I have 3 in diapers. Every time I change a diaper I say a Hail Mary, Prayer to my Guardian Angel, and then "St. (insert child's namesake), pray for us" out loud. Trying to help foster a devotion to Mary, their Guardian angel, and their namesake saint. For me, I try to pray when driving, cooking and at night. For a family rosary, there is a youtube video in latin of the rosary with beautiful pictures. We all gather around the computer and the little ones can watch the pictures and the older ones can meditate on the prayer.

Me too! Great idea, I will start doing the same.

[gloriamaria]

Many diapers here! Thanks for the good idea Gakmo.

I am very pregnant and up all night. I always check the clock, if it is past midnight, I pray my morning offering on the spot. Then every last one of the tedious trips to the bathroom counts as a sacrifice. Not to mention every 20 minutes when I wake up to roll over like a beached whale.

We decided that we would never miss a family rosary in this house. It really keeps us at it, since we made a pact and all.

Besides that, a quick prayer to the Holy Ghost before teaching school, and I always pray to the kids guardian angels when I have to run errands and the teens are babysitting. We do a holy hour once a week, but usually it isn't all of us, just some of us.

Another good one is just an Our Father, Glory Be, and Hail Mary as a travelling prayer whenever you get in the vehicle.

It doesn't add up to a lot of daily prayer, but it's a little. It's something...

[iona_scribe]

I am very pregnant and up all night. I always check the clock, if it is past midnight, I pray my morning offering on the spot. Then every last one of the tedious trips to the bathroom counts as a sacrifice. Not to mention every 20 minutes when I wake up to roll over like a beached whale.

Oh goodness, I'm starting to get to that point too! I have to remember to offer it up!