GUIDE TO PRAYER Various styles

Pauline Nagy, a 30-year parishioner at St. Patrick Church, Hubbard, led the prayer activity center during the Feb. 21 Generation of Faith Festival on the Lessons of Lent. She also encouraged people to arrange a "prayer space" at home that might include a comfortable chair and a table with a Bible, crucifix and candle. A "Guide to Prayer" sheet in the home kit that each family received offers suggestions for prayer. Information comes from "The Way of Prayer" by Michael Pennock.
Time: Set aside time to pray. Start with 10 minutes and increase. Set aside a regular time to pray and follow the routine.
Place: Desginate a place to prayer in your home -- your bedroom or a small area. Personalize the prayer space with a Bible, crucifix and candle. Music and incense may enhance the prayer experience.
Posture: Pray in the position -- lying down, kneeling or sitting -- that works best for you.
Mood: Slow down to create the proper mental mood. Relax by assuming a comfortable position, close your eyes, take a deep breath and hold it then let it go. Relax your body. Repeat until you feel the tension leave your body. Arrive at total stillness ... now you are ready to pray.
Here are four examples of prayer styles.
Meditation: Find a peaceful place and observe and reflect on it. Think about what it can teach you and what you can do.
Scriptural: Read a passage from Scripture and reflect on God's word. Step into the story and think about what God is relaying. Resolve to do something about the insight you gained.
Contemplation: Find a peaceful place and center yourself by repeating a word, such as "Jesus." Empty your mind of thoughts and think about being in God's presence.
Recollection: Relax and ask the Holy Spirit for enlightenment. Think over your day and thank God for what you have been given.