How Do I Incorporate My Catholicism Into My Daily Life?
“If you belonged to the world, the world would love its own; but because you do not belong to the world, and I have chosen you out of the world, the world hates you” (John 15:19).
I recently listened to a homily by Fr. Mike Schmitz where he talked about living with short-sightedness—living as if all that we can see is all that there is. As Catholics, we know that faith is believing in what we do not see, and hope is trusting in things God has promised. While we know these things, however, living them out can prove more difficult.
The Challenge
As businesswomen, we sometimes struggle with reconciling our work life with our eternal journey home. Not only is there the question of when we will find time to pray, but there’s also where we can find a quiet place to pray and perhaps even why or what to pray. As Catholics, we must always keep prayer in the forefront of our mind. What is happening in front of us is rarely as urgent or imperative as it appears. Learning to live with insight rather than short sight can make a huge difference in our daily activities and our overall levels of both stress and productivity. Let’s look at some practices that can help you keep the ultimate goal of heaven in your daily schedule.
When to Pray
St. Paul tells us to pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17). Praying without ceasing means that prayer must become part of our breathing—or that it must be as consistent as our breath. Through the practice of calling our awareness to God, we can cultivate this consistency over time. Here are some practical tips.
When You Open Your Eyes
Breathe in the awareness that it is God Who has restored your soul within you and given you another day. Give thanks, and praise Him for His faithfulness.
Before You Eat Breakfast
Prayers before meals can become mindless, and sometimes we only think to pray before dinner. Be sure to give thanks prior to eating or drinking anything—again, giving thanks and praising God for His provision.
When You Get in the Car
Prior to driving anywhere, ask God for traveling mercies and your guardian angel to protect you while you travel.
Before a Meeting
It can be particularly important to ask the Holy Spirit to be present during a meeting—to be an intercessor during a potentially contentious conversation or simply to direct the conversation to the will of God. It is also helpful to remember that God is working toward His desire and that regardless of the result of a meeting, when we pray for His presence, we can trust in His result.
While People-Watching
Are you a people-watcher? I am, and I have found it to be a particularly beautiful time for prayer. Whether they are people I see on my commute or my co-workers, I can lift each person I watch up to the Lord and intercede for their soul.
At Special Times
There are specific times during the day that we can join the Church in prayer, including the Divine Office, the Angelus, or the Divine Mercy Chaplet. Setting a phone alarm can help prompt you to pray. The Divine Office is prayed throughout the day; the Angelus is prayed at 6 a.m., noon, and 6 p.m.; and the Divine Mercy Chaplet is prayed at 3 p.m.
Where to Pray
Whether you are working in an office or in your home, finding a quiet moment anywhere in our modern world can be challenging.
In the Office
If you have a private office, it can be easier to pray there. If you work in a cubicle or in a room with other people, earbuds are helpful. I find playing Gregorian chants helps to keep my spirit focused while I am working. Setting an alarm to remind you to pray can be an opportunity for evangelization if others enquire about the alarm. 1 Peter 3:15 tells us to always be ready to give an account for our hope, to share our faith with others.
At Home
Particularly if your home includes small children, finding a quiet time to pray there can be more difficult than in an office—at least you have privacy in the bathroom at work! There are several tactics that can help, the most obvious of which is to include your children in your prayer time. It may not provide the silence you seek, but it will be an offering that’s pleasing to God and one that shows your children the importance of praying throughout the day.
You can also offer up seemingly mundane activities as prayer. As Scripture tells us, “I urge you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God, your spiritual worship” (Romans 12:1). Fr. Mike offers insights about what this looks like in real life in this video. It is simply taking a moment to lift your heart to Heaven and offer your task to God. It is a beautiful way to keep your focus on Him throughout the day.
Why Pray
Our modern culture pushes the ideology that the key to salvation is this world, this moment, this project, this deadline, this success, this income, this achievement. While we know in our mind that this is untrue, living in a world so surrendered to this lie can eat away at our resolve. We become swept up in our own plans, carried away by our own ambitions, and enticed by the glamor and promises of a world that is passing away.
We must pray because we are not to conform to the ways of this world, but we are to be transformed by the renewing of our minds (Romans 12:2) by praying without ceasing. The devil is prowling the world looking for souls to devour (1 Peter 5:8), and our lives as Catholics must be different. We are called to be set apart, and the way we go about our days should reflect that reality. Total life transformation is the aim, so that we may be purified and made holy to live in God’s presence in Heaven.
What to Pray for
We can pray for our business, our family, our spouse, and our friends. We can pray for protection, for provision, for health, and happiness. We can pray for all of our needs and wants, and we are encouraged to bring all of them to God. St. Paul tells us to bring our requests to God (Philippians 4:6). We must pray so that we can surrender all of these needs and desires to Him. God’s desire is our complete surrender. Pray for the grace and strength to accept whatever He brings you, trusting that it is for your ultimate good and His glory.
We must continually remind ourselves that our work, our families, and our life are in God’s hands. The purpose of our work is for God to use it to sanctify our life, bring His love to others, and bring Him glory. We must not be deceived and lured into vainglory or the desire for material wealth. Our success must directly correlate with our relationship with Christ, and through prayer, we can keep sight of our ultimate purpose and mission: the beatific vision and eternity with our Lord.
Laryn is a career chameleon with a consistent focus. Her goal is for each person she encounters to have a deep understanding of their own worth and value and an awareness of the skills and gifts that they bring to the world. While not technically a business coach, 95% of her clients are in the business world. For 25 years, her desire has been to build up the women as they build their lives.
Laryn is the author of four books and spent part of her career as a motivational speaker for Catholic women and women in business. She regards her marriage of 31 years and her four adult children who love Jesus and have a commitment to beauty, truth, and goodness her greatest accomplishments. Her latest blessings are the four grandbabies who add abundantly to her gratitude! Find out more about Laryn and the services she offers at larynweaver.com.