Discipleship Step: Boldly Moving Into Deeper Prayer

The people of Saint Brendan are moving into the Easter season with a new message series called “Bold Moves.” Each week, we’ll highlight a different step you can take to prepare for the bold move God wants you to make.
 
Bold moves are not reckless changes, but courageous steps taken in faith that come from prudent judgment. Creating what Father Roger calls a “spiritual infrastructure” opens space for the Holy Spirit to guide us. Prayer is a key component. In this year of prayer called, Pray Together Stay Together, here are three basic steps you can take to deepen your prayer life.
 
1.  Pray Alone in Style.
 
In his famous Sermon on the Mount, Jesus tells his disciples to pray privately. “Go to your inner room,” he says, “close the door, and pray to your Father in secret” (Matthew 6:6). Daily individual prayer therefore is the backbone of the Christian life. “Many Catholics are not aware of the rich spiritual tradition of prayer in our Church,” said Director of Faith Formation, Manolito Jaldon. “There are literally hundreds of prayer styles offered in our 2,000 year history.”
 
Saint Brendan parishioners have been learning about many of those styles through various bulletin articles and monthly speakers. “We’re going to compile a small booklet of the bulletin articles at the end of the year,” Father Roger said. In addition, audio recordings of our monthly speakers are available on the parish website. For wisdom in your bold move, learn about one prayer style and pray it daily.
 
2. Pray in Small Groups.
 
Get out of your shell and pray with others. Prayer is central in the fifteen small groups offered by Saint Brendan.
 
Random Acts of Catholics, for example, focuses on prayer leading into acts of service. “Each gathering has a volunteer prayer leader, promoting a refreshing variation in exposure to several prayer types,” said young adult member Mitch Carey. The Outdoor Walking Group uses Matthew Kelly’s Prayer Process to reflect on six themes of Gratitude, Awareness, Peace, Freedom, and Significant Moments. Members of our Marian small groups share with each other how the Mysteries of the Rosary guide their faith, prayer, and daily lives and seek to increase their trust in God as they discuss personal stories of difficulties, challenges, and joy through the example of Mary.
 
Join a small group today and dive into deeper prayer. Explore our website to get connected.
 
3.  Pray Intentionally at Mass.
 
Prayer alone and in small groups reaches its highest point at Sunday Mass. Prepare for what Pope Benedict XVI called “the greatest and highest act of prayer” by reading the gospel passage and spending some time in quiet meditation before Mass. Review what you’ve written in your Mass Journal on past weeks, bring your journal to Mass, and be amazed at how God inspires you to make a great, bold move.

---