Prayer is our personal response to God. Approach Him reverently with a listening heart. God speaks first. Acknowledge His presence and in gratitude respond in love. The focus is always on God and what God is doing.

STRUCTURE

· Find a sacred spot.

· Quiet yourself; be still inside and out. Relax. Breathe in deeply, hold your breath, then exhale slowly. Repeat several times.

· Declare your dependence on God. Surrender.

· Ask God for the grace you want and need.

· Read and reflect on your chosen scripture passage, using the appropriate form, e.g., meditation, contemplation, etc.

· Close the prayer period with a time of conversation with Jesus and His Father. (Collaquy)

· Conclude with an Our Father.

REVIEW

The review of prayer is a reflection after the prayer period. The purpose of the review is to heighten our awareness of how God has been present to us during the prayer period.

The review focuses primarily on the interior movements of consolation and desolation as they are revealed in our feelings of joy, peace, sadness, fear, ambivalence, anger, etc.

Often it is in the review that we become aware of how God has responded to our request for a particular grace.

Writing for the review provides for personal accountability, and is a precious reward for our spiritual journey. To write the review is a step towards self-integration.

Method: In a notebook or journal, after each prayer period, indicate the date and the passage. The following questions may be helpful:

· Was there any word or phrase that particularly struck you?

· What were your feeling? Were you peaceful?…loving?…trusting?…sad?…discouraged?…What do these feelings say to you?

· Are you more aware of God’s presence now?

· Is there some point in which it would be helpful to return in your next prayer period?