“Prayer is a surge of the heart, it is a simple look turned toward heaven, it is a cry of recognition and of love” (St. Thérèse of Lisieux, quoted in the Catechism of the Catholic Church 2258).

"Lord have mercy” and “Come, Holy Spirit” are said many (many) times throughout my day.

Some find it amusing upon hearing me say it accidentally out loud, as if I say it in jest. Yet whatever I am going through, these one-sentence prayers somehow sustain me throughout the busy workday.

As a communications professional, I am often running around a large property to get things done. When you are carrying equipment — or, worse, forget something at your office and need to haul back double quick — those one-sentence prayers feel like a nice vent.

Sometimes, I wonder if I should have stopped and dropped everything to say a nice, long eloquent prayer. Should I be praying a rosary during my lunch break? Am I a bad Catholic for not starting my day with the Divine Office?

If, like me, you're a busy professional who is often running from one engagement to another (without the advantage of working from home), sitting down to pray seems like a luxury. Mass happens during my office hours, and right now, due to COVID closures, perpetual Adoration options are slim to none. Then, as a single young adult, somehow, volunteer engagements multiply as quickly as social opportunities do.

Mea Culpa

Despite this excuse, deep down, I know that my heart and soul (and mind) require so much more than rushed one-liners.

It would be too easy to say, “It's not my fault, I'm too busy.” But we make time for what we care about, and if I’m putting things above my prayer life, I know it’s a good time to check my priorities. Of course, the struggle is real, and like any relationship, prayer requires time and intentionality.

Embracing the Awkward

If we ever feel that our prayer life is a little awkward, we can be at peace knowing we’re not the only one. After hearing that St. Thérèse herself struggled with certain types of prayers, a sense of scrupulosity in me eased. I knew that I, too, could still aspire to be a saint, even if I found that uttering many Hail Marys was daunting.

As my spiritual sister would say, “Prayer is a surge of the heart.”

The primary focus of our prayer is to build a relationship with God. He knows our prayers will sometimes be awkward, and he’s not taken aback by it.

Keep Going

As Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI said, we were not made for comfort; we were made for greatness. We can continue to stumble through our difficulties with prayer, recognizing where we need to be strengthened and asking the Holy Spirit to help us work on that area. Some of the things that have helped me move forward and continue to grow in prayer are  rooted in self-awareness and trust.

We all pray in different ways, which is OK. While one person finds consolation in the rosary, others might find it in praise and worship. Just as our personalities are unique, so are our prayer styles.

After struggling with certain types of prayers, I learned that my prayer personality is more in line with Franciscan spirituality: more spontaneity and less structure help me connect with the Lord. Other prayer forms, such as Ignatian meditations, don’t console me as much as praying during a walk through the park, where God’s creation ministers to my heart.

I may not identify with Ignatian spirituality, but I did learn about it and practice the prayer forms. To my surprise, this exercise was fruitful and helped me gain a better understanding of myself.

Each day, I remember that prayer, like all my other professional and personal goals, takes work. More importantly, I remember that it’s not merely a task but a relationship that I must pursue.

Note to Self

As I go about my day, I try to keep these four things in mind:

• Don't overlook those one-sentence prayers throughout the day. So many individuals in the Gospel approached Jesus with one-sentence petitions. He worked miracles in their lives, and he can work them in ours if we approach him with the same faith and trust.

• Try and try again. We won’t become a perfect pray-er this side of paradise. We’ll fall short many times, but the important thing is to keep moving forward. As we continue to pursue Him and seek Him, we can rest assured that He is always ready to receive us.

• Learning about other forms of Catholic spirituality can be an opportunity of growth. Even if we don't identify with one form of prayer, it doesn't mean we shouldn't try it.

• Think of the things in our lives we can set aside to find extra prayer time. Maybe it’s waking up earlier, turning off the TV at night, or spending less time on social media. Whatever it is, we can rearrange these little things to add a good chat with Jesus to our calendar.

Blanca Thérèse Morales is first and foremost a beloved daughter of God the Father. She has been blessed to spend 12 years writing about events, culture and faith for various publications, including The Florida Catholic, Verily Magazine and Life Teen. It was in meeting great people through her writing that she discovered her other passions: building community, hosting brunches, and organizing house concerts. When she’s not media buying or creating content at work, she can be found exploring new places, searching for the best lattes or microblogging at @Rise.And.Create. Find her on LinkedIn, or connect with her on Instagram @pursuingloveliness.