Praying Constantly

Praying Constantly: Bringing Your Faith to Life by Father Benedict Groeschel is a small book (only 155 pages) packed with lots of useful suggestions. This book aims to provide practical advice to  'pray without ceasing:" (Thessalonians 5:17) and is directed at all those (not just Catholics) that want to improve their prayer life.

One important thing that Father Groeschel points out is that prayer is a gift from God and we can't do it without His help; something I had never really thought about in that light. We are reminded that God is never absent as well as the many ways to respond (ie: pray) to God.  We need to be mindful of God as an ever present part of our lives in order to communicate with Him unceasingly.

Some practical suggestions offered involve routine such as the Liturgy of the Hours and reverent preparation for Mass. Others include Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, praying the Rosary or the Divine Mercy Chaplet, and studying Scripture using a technique known as Lectio Divina. It's no surprise that many that are seeking a deeper prayer life are 'older' as they have more time available for prayerful activities; it's not common  to find a mom of young children able to participate in these ways (although some are called to do so) but that doesn't mean we shouldn't strive to expand our prayer life.

I think Praying Constantly is an excellent overview of prayer and its many forms. I think individuals can read it and then discover how they can expand their prayer life at this point in their life.

This review was written as part of the Catholic book reviewer program from The Catholic Company. Visit The Catholic Company to find more information on Praying Constantly-Bringing Your Faith to Life. They are also a great source for First Communion gifts and Baptism gifts.