Praying and Staying Close to the Lord in House Confinement

Suggestion for Praying and Spiritual Sharing 

At this time of house confinement, it is helpful to establish a regular schedule for spending time with the Lord and adhere to the schedule insofar as possible.  Ideally, three periods of time to rest in the Lord would be built into the day: on rising, midday, and at the close of day.  The amount of time would vary according to one’s specific circumstances.  If there’s only time for one encounter with the Lord, that’s surely worthwhile in itself. 

One period of time might be devoted to gratitude for the Lord’s protection along with petitionary prayer; another may be devoted to reading of Scripture along with meditation and prayer; a third might be devoted to a review of the day in the light of the Lord’s presence during the day along with a period of silent contemplation, resting in the Lord.    

When it is difficult to pray, many find the rosary particularly helpful as a way to maintain a calm disposition and prayerful presence.  Many find that the psalms are helpful, since they feature prayer giving voice to a variety of emotions.  You may have a specific prayer you find especially meaningful. If so, it might be helpful to return to that prayer when you encounter a difficult emotion or situation.  Perhaps a simple phrase such as “Lord Jesus, have mercy on me” might serve as a resource moment to moment. 

If there are children in the family, this would be a good to unite around all the wonderful stories in the Scriptures, e.g. Adam and Eve ,Noah, Abraham, David (including the encounter with Goliath, a story which is particularly apt at this time), Ruth, Esther, Daniel, Mary, Lazarus, and the Gospel stories.  Such a story time might be quite fruitful for allinvolved. 

Uniting with the Lord in prayer will lead to uniting with him in his mission, i.e., working to witness to and bring about the reign of God.  It might be helpful to establish with friends a specific time for prayer, so that all are united in prayer at that specific time.  The phone or computer can be a powerful instrument to maintain contact with people and sense opportunities for service.

Insights From Scripture and the Saints

St. Francis of Assisi reminds us:  What are the servants of God but his singers whose duty it is to lift up hearts and move them to spiritual joy?   If this seems impossible at this time, we are reminded that what seems impossible for human beings is not impossible for God; for God all things are possible. (Mark 10:27).  This again points to the need to remain in the Lord, for on our own, we are poor and limited.  Jesus’ message to us: 

I am in my father and you are in me and I in you.  Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives.  Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid…Remain in me as I remain in you.  (The farewell messages of Jesus in John, Chapters 14 - 17 are an abundantly rich resource which calls for repeated reading and meditation.)

As Paul reminds us:  What will separate us from the love of Christ?  Will anguish or distress or persecution or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?…In all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loves us.  For I am certain that neither death nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor any other creature will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:35-39)

I am living water, the bread of life, the resurrection and the life, the one who believes in me shall have the fullness of life, life everlasting.