For me, prayer is often pretty easy. At some points, my prayer is like the short, quick text messages exchanged between friends or loved ones throughout the day, sharing funny or annoying moments of every day life in quick bursts. At other times, prayer is more like the deep, rich conversations shared while lingering over cups of coffee or glasses of wine, sometimes stretching long into the night, but leaving me feeling deeply satisfied and fulfilled. 

But then there are the times when its not.

There are those times when prayer is just difficult. In my relationship with God, like my relationships with friends, I sometimes have times where I am so busy or preoccupied with other things that I just fail to communicate. There are also the times when my relationship with Jesus hits a rough patch: we're fighting, we're struggling to connect, or we're not hearing each other (Ok. I'm not hearing. Even when I feel like I'm not being heard, God always listens.) Honestly, sometimes I just get bored. For those moments when prayer is boring, hard or just seems pointless, here's five ways I've found to connect (or reconnect) with God. -- Amy 

1. Take a Hike. 
Or go for a walk or run. Talk to God about what you see. You might thank God for the beauty of nature, or ask God's blessing on the people, places, or situations you encounter. (If you're a social media user, you can search #whereIpray to see others have spent time with God. If you're on Twitter or Instagram, tag @sthelenparish and we'll share your prayer places.) 

2. Draw it out. 
When words alone fail or you're struggling to stay focused, try doodling. It's not about being a great artist, it's about giving your hands something to do while your head and heart communicate with God. Doodle prayer can be as simple as picking up a pen and drawing squiggles on a sheet of paper. If you're looking for more, check out Praying in Color. (Full disclosure: Art is a regular part of my prayer, even when I'm not stuck.) 

3. Use the S Word. 
No, not that S word! Scripture! For many people, Scripture is a regular part of prayer. If it's not your go-to, it's a great way to get unstuck. I've found that the Gospel of John is most helpful for me when I need to reconnect with Jesus. If you don't know where to start, try the Gospel for the day or the upcoming Sunday. You can find the readings on the USCCB website. 

4. Find your jam. 
Music has a way of communicating ideas and emotions that we otherwise struggle to articulate. Try listening to music as a way of prayer. What message are you trying to express to God? What is God trying to say to you? Find your dance-in-the-kitchen-with-the-Holy-Spirit song. While sacred and contemporary Christian music might seem like the most logical, God can speak to our hearts through other music, too. This Pete Townshend song captured what Jesus had been trying to communicate with me during a particularly difficult time in my faith journey. 

5. Be still. 
I think we sometimes put too much emphasis on prayer being about words. I need to remember that it is more about being present to God and aware of God's presence in my life. If you're struggling to connect, just be with God. You might consider making a "little visit" to spend time with Jesus in front of the tabernacle. Sometimes I just sit at home with a cup of coffee, mindful of God's presence. (I admit, sometimes I do this in the dark or with my eyes closed, so I don't see things I feel like I should be doing!) You don't have to do or say or think anything. Just be still and let God's love and grace surround you. 

How do you kick start your prayer life when it stalls out? 

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I'm sure I'm not the only one that spends just a little too much time on social media. As a positive, it's a great way to stay in touch with friends and find out what I need to know. In this study, it is reported Millennials often use social media as one of their primary sources of news, and it has made our generation pretty news-savvy, with 69% of people aged 18-34 taking in world news at least once a day. 

Another way that a Facebook/Twitter/Instagram feed can enrich life is by calling us to prayer. The Catholic faith is a visual faith, as the Church uses colors and smoke, crucifixes and bread, precious metals and people gathered together to enrich our prayer. For almost the entire history of the Catholic faith, the church has used images to experience the sacred and pray. In fancy church-language, it's called visio divina. 

For this week's Friday five, I offer five images that I encountered via social media this week that caused me to stop and pray. 

1. Back to School 

O Lord, we pray for students and teachers as they begin a new school year. Help them to learn from each other as they grow in knowledge, faith, and virtue. We pray in the name of Christ, the Great Teacher, amen.

​Our Lady, Seat of Wisdom, Pray for Us. 

​2. Louisiana

Almighty God, the water that we use to destroy sin and rise to new life in baptism is the same water that washed away the world in the Great Flood of Noah. While our faith tells us that what is destroyed shall return, be with your people who suffer at the hands of water. Help those of us whose homes and lives are spared to respond to your call to help our neighbor by sheltering the homeless, feeding the hungry, and giving drink to the thirsty. May aid be swift and helpful. Through Christ our Lord, Amen.

Saint Florian, patron of floods, pray for us. 

3. The Boy in the Ambulance

God of all Creation, you knew each of us before we were knit together within our mothers. Watch over all your children, especially those who are most in need of your protection. Send them swift aid, comfort in their sorrow, healing for their wounds, and peace in their rest. Stretch us to welcome the stranger, for your own son was born on a night that his mother was told "there is no room for you here." In showing us the greatness of your son, you have also shown us that we should welcome, shelter, and protect not only those with whom we are comfortable, but also those people whom we have never met. Change our hearts, O God.

​St. Alban, patron of refugees, and Mary, Queen of Peace and patroness of war victims, pray for us. 

​4. The Commandments

Eternal God, you gave us a moral code when you sent the Ten Commandments from the heavens, and sent your son to show us how to live it. Help us to be responsible users of our words and our judgment, that we might always keep at the forefront of our words and actions your call to treat each other with kindness and to act in honorable and honest ways. We pray through Christ, our Lord.

Saint Isidore of Seville, patron of the internet, pray for us. 

5. Present over Perfect (a book that so many I follow are reading and recommending)

God of all Wisdom, through all time you have gifted the world with prophets who speak your truth and draw us back to you in many ways and languages. Help us to hear the prophets among us today and to avoid the false prophets and idols that would have us turn against you and your kingdom of faith, hope, and love. Guide our hearts and minds towards that which calls us back to you. In Jesus' name we pray.

​Saint Thomas Aquinas, patron of prophets, pray for us. 

-Ellen

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David Boudia and Steele Johnson (Synchronized Diving)
Not only did this duo give glory to God after winning the silver, Boudia has written a whole book about his faith. Read more. 

Simone Biles (Gymnastics)
A practicing Catholic, Biles keeps a rosary in her bag and regularly light candles, asking the intercession of St. Sebastian, before big events. Read more. 
​

Simone Manuel (Swimming)
After becoming the first African-American woman to medal in an individual swimming event (with a world record time!), Manuel's first response was to thank God: "All I can say is all glory to God. It's definitely been a long journey these past four years. I'm just so blessed to have a gold medal. I'm just so blessed." Read more. 

Katie Ledecky (Swimming)
She's won four medals at the Rio Olympics, and she says a Hail Mary before every race. Read more. 

Looking for more? ​
​Read more about the role of faith at the Olympics. 
Here are some other Olympic athletes who put God before Gold.