What Is Prayer? And What’s The Big Deal?

Once we realize that prayer is our lifeline to God—the heartbeat of our relationship with Jesus, we begin to realize why it is so vital to the health of our faith life.  Just as you needed to spend a lot of time and have shared experiences with your best friend to get to be so close, we need to spend time with God to truly know Him, love Him, and trust Him. Prayer allows us to speak to Jesus, listen to His voice, and invite Him into the daily moments of our lives.  

The Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) teaches that prayer is a response to God’s call:  “Prayer is the raising of one’s mind and heart to God or the requesting of good things from God” (CCC 2559). It’s not just about asking for help when we’re in need; it’s about surrendering, seeking His will, and allowing His love to transform us.  It’s about relationship. 

St. Catherine of Siena beautifully described the importance of prayer:  

“Prayer is nothing else than being on terms of friendship with God.” St. Thérèse of Lisieux said, “prayer is nothing but a surge of the heart”.  This friendship and love for God, is built through time in His presence.

Make Prayer a Non-Negotiable  

If we desire a deep relationship with Jesus, daily prayer is non-negotiable. Think of it like building spiritual muscles: Just as working out strengthens the body, daily prayer strengthens our faith.  Just as we prioritize relationships with family and friends, or how we prioritize going to the gym to keep our body healthy we must prioritize prayer for the health of our soul. So many of us understand the sacrifices it takes to wake up early and get a workout in before work, but do we make that same effort to make time for prayer before our day begins? Our soul needs strengthening as well, and prayer works the muscles of our soul that help us to strengthen our faith and relationship with Jesus.

We schedule workouts, meetings, appointments and social activities because we see their value. And once they’re on the schedule, we commit to seeing them through. Prayer should be treated with the same intentionality—it’s the foundation of our spiritual health and therefore just as important as our physical and mental health. 

Practical tip: Schedule prayer as you would any priority. Block it into your calendar to make time for morning quiet time with Jesus, or a Rosary on your commute to work or while you get ready in the morning etc. It’s okay to give ourselves these reminders and shows we care about making our faith a priority and take our spiritual health seriously!

If I don’t pray in the morning, I probably won’t pray at all that day. 

Mornings offer a fresh, quiet start—perfect for turning our hearts to God before the world pulls us in different directions. Beginning your day in prayer helps you start the day with the Lord without any distractions or to-do’s on your mind. I know that when I leave prayer for “later”…it never happens. 

Starting the day with God also reminds us that everything we do is for His glory and it gives him the first fruits of our day showing Him that He is most important in our lives. It also sets the tone for our actions, choices, and interactions throughout the day and gives us the grace to live out our vocations!

I recommend at least 15 minutes a day, but if you can reach 30 minutes or even 1 hour that is amazing. Even if you’re pressed for time, at the very least a one-minute prayer or morning offering can center your heart, bring peace, and allows you to start the day with God.  

Pray Throughout the Day

Prayer doesn’t have to be confined to morning or evening—it can weave through every moment of our day. I like to incorporate a Rosary into my drives, or while I get ready for bed, or while I make lunch. The church also has wonderful prayers that are traditionally prayed throughout the day like the Angelus, for example, is commonly prayed at noon everyday. While listening to a faith based podcast isn’t prayer in itself it can aid in helping you incorporate your faith into your daily life more and help give you tools to grow in your spiritual life. Some I recommend are Ever Be, Abiding Together, Fr. Mike Schmitz’s Bible in A Year or Catechism in a Year, and Rosary Meditations. (these all need to be linked)

These small moments turn daily routines into sacred encounters with God.  

Create a Prayer Space  

Setting up a designated space for prayer can help you stay focused and create a peaceful atmosphere for meeting with God.  I created a little prayer corner by setting up a comfy chair in the corner of a room, and decorating the walls around it with different Catholic items and art. *can we include a photo here* I also have a side table with my journal, a pen, a Bible, a Rosary and a prayer candle. 

This space doesn’t need to be elaborate—just a quiet corner where you can retreat and turn your heart to God.  

Journal Your Prayers  

Journaling your prayers is a powerful way to reflect on your spiritual journey, and help you express your thoughts to God with more ease. We all learned how to journal at some point and can reflect on our own lives in that manner. When we pray, sometimes we might feel like we don’t know how to talk to God, what words to use, or if we’re speaking in a beautiful way that honors Him. There is not right way to say your prayers or talk to God. This is why I find journaling so helpful to “loosen your tongue” in prayer. It is a familiar way we know to process and record our thoughts, and all we have to do is now address it to Jesus like a letter. 

My journal entries start with “My Dearest Jesus,” and then I proceed to share my hopes, fears, gratitude, and desires. Sometimes I just journal my own prayer, and sometimes I journal my experience praying with scripture. I recommend using the WRAP method I teach in this resource. 

One of my favorite parts about journaling my prayer is that I can keep a record of my spiritual journey and how God has worked in my life in the past. In times of desolation I like to look back on past entries and see if anything brings me consolation or inspires me. 

End Your Day With Gratitude and Prayer 

Night prayer is a beautiful way to close the day, reflect on God’s presence, and surrender any worries or burdens.  

Trey and I pray together out loud every night and it helps us end the day with prayer as well as gives us a time to pray together in our marriage. Simply offer a prayer of gratitude for the blessings of the day, ask for forgiveness for any moments of weakness or sin, share any petitions or desires you want to give to Jesus, and entrust tomorrow to God with confidence in His care.  

Consistency Over Perfection 

Building a daily prayer life is about consistency, not perfection. Some days will feel easier than others, but what matters is showing up with an open heart.  

If you’re new to prayer or struggling to find a rhythm, start small. Even five minutes a day can be life-changing. Over time, those moments will grow into a rich and meaningful relationship with God.  

Jesus is waiting for you with open arms. He doesn’t need perfect words—just your presence and your heart. Begin today, and watch as your relationship with Him deepens, one prayer at a time.