Maintaining Consistency in Prayer During Times of Transition
“Jesus said to him in reply, “What do you want me to do for you?” (Mark 10:51).
Editor’s note: Don’t miss this article on navigating transitions with the saints.
Fall is always a season of transition. Whether it is your first job or a transition into a different role, moving to a new city, the start of the school year, or simply the transition from summer to fall, we are all closing one chapter and beginning a new one. In the midst of life changes and the busyness that they bring, prayer, reflection, and time with God can seem like just another thing on the “to do” list that we can push to the side. Yet, it is in seasons of transition that time with God is most important.
“What Do You Want Me to Do for You?”
I am in a season of transition with a new job and a move to a new city. This season has been an extended period filled with excitement, nervousness, anxiety, happiness, and stress. In conversations with my spiritual director, we have discussed how this season of life is an invitation from God to continue to lean on him. We have been reflecting on the story of the blind man Bartimaeus in the Gospel of Mark, where he calls out to Jesus, and Jesus asks, “What do you want me to do for you?” (10:51). At first, it seems silly for Jesus to ask Bartimaeus what he wants when the answer seems obvious, but on deeper reflection, we can understand that the question and Bartimaeus’ answer go beyond the physical and straight to our hearts.
Jesus’ question speaks to the desires of our own hearts. In seasons of transition, we often have high hopes and expectations for what the next phase of life will be like, and we can be laser-focused on moving through our transition and starting anew. Too often, we do not stop to reflect on the transition and invite God into the experience, as our prayer life is disrupted with countless interruptions. God, who is always consistent in our life, waits patiently to be invited in to listen to our hearts.
What Does My Heart Need?
I have often struggled to have a consistent prayer life, and I find it particularly challenging during transitions. This transitional period has been no different, with some weeks of consistent prayer and other weeks where God is at the bottom of my to-do list. I know the difference between when I am grounded in prayer and when I am not. During this season, I have sat with the story of Bartimaeus and thought about how I would answer Jesus. What do I want in this time of transition? What does my heart want? Better yet, what does my heart need?
Our transitional seasons will look different at different times in our life: some good, some bad, and some where we are unsure. Regardless of the type of transitional period we are in, God is there, inviting us to entrust our emotions, expectations, and thoughts to Him. He is asking us what we want and is offering his hand out to us. He wants to walk with us and have moments of prayer, quiet, and reflection with us during this season—and all seasons of our life.
Prayer Habits That Help
Though I’m still far from having the most consistent prayer life, there have been small moments of prayer and reflection that have helped me prioritize and focus on God in this transitional season. In sharing my prayer habits, I pray that we can all find a devotion that brings us closer in relationship with our Father in Heaven:
The Angelus
Traditionally prayed at dawn, noon, and dusk, the Angelus prayer helps us meditate on the importance of the Incarnation, with a special focus on the Assumption. I use the Laudate app to pray the Angelus prayer.
Walking Rosary
Meditating on the mysteries of the life of Jesus Christ and His mother helps us to reflect on our own salvation in the midst of our busyness. The act of walking has us physically slowing down to walk with Jesus and Mary. (You can also find the rosary on the Laudate app.)
Holy Hour
Spending an hour (or more!) with Christ in Eucharist adoration helps us to sit, rest, and open our hearts to the Lord. We can invite God in and ask him to hear the desires of our heart.
Daily Mass
Receiving Jesus Christ in the Eucharist at Mass gives us strength and peace as we navigate through our transitional season. In attending daily Mass, we are face to face with Christ to love him, be with him, and ask him to be with us.
Transitional season or not, consistency in prayer is a vital part of our relationship with Christ. Prayer is our communication with God, where we can open our hearts and tell him what we want and listen to what he is asking of us. Whatever phase of life we are in, God is walking with us. All he asks is that we invite him in.
Alexandra (Alex) Harrel resides in Irving, Texas. She is a new student affairs professional within the world of higher education. In her spare time, she loves reading, listening to podcasts, and spending time outdoors. Her favorite prayer is Hail, Holy Queen. You can follow her on Instagram at @2012alexandra.