It’s Time to Pray

 
We’re reminded in 1 Thessalonians (5:17-18) to pray without ceasing and these days there are certainly enough things happening in our world that ‘round the clock praying would be quite helpful. But admittedly I get distracted by the goings on of daily life, such that my prayers can often be a ‘hit or miss’ event. A decade or so ago my sister encouraged me to pick a time on the clock and say some intentional prayers when that time appeared. Digital clocks make this process easy since the exact time is boldly displayed. I chose 9:11 as a time to focus on world peace and 11:11 as a time to pray for all the souls in purgatory.  I committed to saying an “Our Father”, “Hail Mary” and “Glory Be” whenever those times appeared on a clock. As this practice began when my kids were young, they too participated in the prayers. If we were driving in the car, the radio would be turned off, I would announce “It’s 9:11, time to pray for world peace, ” and we did. This became enough of a ritual that years later my son would call out from the tv room “Hey mom, it’s 9:11!” Although he generally didn’t stop his x-box game to come join me, I took some comfort knowing he remembered its significance and was subsequently hearing me pray for world peace as I stood in the kitchen.
 
I’ve been amazed by how often I glance at the clock and see 9:11 and 11:11; it’s as if God is encouraging me to pray more throughout the day. Whenever I say the 11:11 prayers for those in purgatory, I especially remember relatives and friends who have recently departed from this life, and I find comfort in helping them on their path to heaven.
It didn’t take long for other significant times to appear regularly when I glanced at the clock. For instance, one day it was 7:11 and I commented to my son that not only was that the name of a popular convenience store but also his birthweight. We chuckled, but soon I was seeing 7:11 appear regularly in my life, followed one minute later with the birthweight of his sister at 7:12. Soon their birthdates started popping up as well. If I can send a quick text before the time changes on their phone, my kids get a ‘happy birthweight” or “happy birthdate” greeting on any given day of the year. It’s my way of saying I’m thinking of them, I love them, and am grateful to God that they are mine. I feel like St. Monica who prayed throughout life for her son Augustine and am grateful that I am often prompted by the clock to pray for my kids and for God’s intercession in their lives.
 
A glance at the clock often inspires me to say prayers for other people as well. The time may remind me of the birthdate of a friend, my anniversary, or the day my dad died. A quick prayer is sent for whomever I am thinking of at that moment. Of course, I’m not dependent on the clock to spark a prayer, but I am delighted to receive digital reminders during the day/week/month that prompt me to pray for the people I care deeply about. There is always someone in need of a prayer, and  it’s always Time to Pray! 

Linda Olsen
St. Mary receptionist & St. Martha parishioner