Busted Halo's Guide to Prayer  REPUBLISHED FROM BUSTED HALO www.bustedhalo.com A Ministry of the Paulist Fathers
	Prayer is intentionally placing yourself with God. You don't have to talk, you don't have to listen, you don't even have to like it. You just have to be mindful of God. Experiment with some of the prayers linked to on this site. You could listen to sacred or secular music and notice how you feel. You could take a walk alone or with a friend. You could jog, hike, read scripture, say a rosary, go to Mass, or even just daydream. What brings you peace, joy, and hope? What makes you feel love and forgiveness? If you can find these, you have found God. Welcome to prayer. Do you feel more peace? If so, you're on the right track. If not, that's okay. Just identify whatever is giving you anxiety as simply that and keep trying. Do you feel more joy? Whatever is giving you that quiet feeling of happiness-the kind that makes you smile and just like life-is a sign of prayer. Do you feel more hope? If your prayer helps you believe that, it's a good sign. Do you feel love? Do you notice more strongly the love others feel for you and the love you feel for them? What about your love of God and His love for you? Do you feel forgiveness? Do you recognize your own state of brokenness and they way you have hurt and been hurt by others? Do you feel as though, no matter what, you are still loved and understood?