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It’s easy for us to take for granted that we know how to pray. Yes, of course, we can pray in many ways and in many places — but there are several ways in which we can help ourselves move into prayer. We know this well from our experience with other things, yet we fail to apply the same wisdom to our prayer life. Say, for example, I want organise a romantic meal … wouldn’t I look for a good quiet place, dim the lights, set the table properly, maybe a few candles and the right background music? Or if I want to study (and not just pretend), wouldn’t I know well, what helps we and what distracts? Equally, at the gym, don’t I know what music energises me? Or preparing a campfire with my scout group, don’t I know that I need to create a different atmosphere if I want a rowdy animated one, or a quieter one for reflection and sharing? In this sense, prayer is not too different, and as a “spiritual exercise” there are many ways to live it better.

I won’t attempt to say everything in one blog post, so in this first part, I will focus on three elements: time, place, and posture.

[1] Give yourself time

It is important to dedicate some time to prayer. Prayer is — in some ways — like the art of preparing a good sauce, or a decent stew: it needs time for things to simmer properly; should you try to speed things up, it’s not the same. It also helps to be faithful to the time you’ve decided to set aside. Better choose to prayer half an hour and stay, rather than opt for an hour and quit half way: it is part of the art of managing frustration and distractions (a sign of being mature).

[2] Choose the place

As already mentioned above, choose your place. It doesn’t need to be a chapel or a church (though, of course, there’s nothing wrong with that!), but a place that helps me find silence, helps me remain in prayer, that does not distract me, where others are less likely to disturb. A focal point may help: a crucifix, a holy image or icon, a lighted candle, or the Bible. Use light to your advantage. In my case, I know that outdoor places help me prayer (scout formation, I guess!): after all, nature is perhaps the most wonderful cathedral that we can find. The criterion is simple: what helps me? In this sense, there may be many suggestions, but there is no one-size-fits-all. Do not be afraid to try, experiment. Only by trying different options you may find what works best for you.

[3] Posture

Final element for today: do not think that prayer is only a mental exercise where the body has no role. We are not only head or soul. Find the posture that helps you best: perhaps seated, perhaps kneeling, or even lying down. As with place, the criterion is the same: what helps me pray? I find that lying down I’m more likely to sleep, unless I’m enjoying a star-studded sky which helps me contemplate. Other times, I pray lying down prone, with Bible in front of me … of course, I’m speaking of praying somewhere in the open-air, or in the privacy of my room … not in a public chapel where they’d think I’ve lost it! More often I prefer sitting down, on the grass or earth … in the open air. Find what help you!

Time, place and posture help create the right external ambience. In another post, I will focus more on interior disposition.