It’s six months since I wrote last week’s blog about my neglect of my prayer life. Since I believe the spiritual life has to be intentional, I took steps to remedy my lax ways. In February I went off on a centering prayer retreat at Holy Name Monastery. Between worshiping with the Benedictine sisters there and the periods of centering, I figure I spent about 7½ hours praying over the course of a weekend. That did wonders to put me back on track. Then in March we had a prayer vigil at Joy. That was a great spiritual event.

What I have learned (or maybe re-learned) is that it is occasions that are outside of my daily routine like a retreat or prayer vigil that have the most notable impact on my spiritual life. Despite praying faithfully the order of morning prayer every day and saying the Jesus prayer every evening, I don’t notice those things having an effect on my life. Is there no effect or am I just not aware of them?

Feelings in the spiritual life are tricky. Almost every spiritual writer warns about seeking consolation in prayer. There are times when the spiritual life feels great between God and me, but that’s not most of the time. We should treasure the consolations when they come, but not make them the object of our prayer. Our whole objective is to spend time with God.

That’s where I’m at, dear readers. I need to keep on praying the way I have, and trust God that it is right.

Read 1 Thessalonians 5:16-19 and remember: God loves YOU unconditionally.

Wayne