You’ll notice I did NOT say that this is a “Top” 10 list of ways to pray online. I’d rather not get into ranking prayer! Rather, I’d like to offer some online prayer resources that I encourage you to pass along to parishioners by sharing the following list in the parish bulletin or in your religious education or school newsletter. Those of us in ministry sometimes forget that we may be privy to resources that folks in the pew perhaps are not familiar with. With that in mind, here are 10 excellent online resources to help you pray.
- 3-Minute Retreat—From Loyola Press, the 3-Minute Retreats invite you to take a short prayer break right at your computer. Spend some quiet time reflecting on a Scripture passage. Knowing that not everyone prays at the same pace, you have control over the pace of the retreat. If you are new to online prayer, the basic timing of the screens will guide you through the experience. (http://www.loyolapress.com/3-minute-retreats-daily-online-prayer.htm)
- Give Us This Day—From Liturgical Press, this daily prayer presents God’s words (prayers and readings for daily Mass), reflection on the Scriptures for each day, and various forms of prayer (including Morning and Evening prayer) that will deepen one’s relationship with God and the doing of God’s will. (https://www.giveusthisday.org/)
- Universalis—This site enables you to join Christians all over the world in praying the Liturgy of the Hours (as given in the Roman Breviary). It provides prayers, psalms, and meditation for every hour of every day. (http://www.universalis.com/)
- Sacred Space—Sacred Space is a joint apostolate of the Irish Province of the Society of Jesus and Loyola Press. It is inspired by the spirituality of St. Ignatius of Loyola and offers a daily session of prayer, in six stages, including preparing your body and mind, and culminating in reflection on a Scripture passage chosen specially for the day. (http://www.sacredspace.ie/)
- Light a Candle—Throughout the world, lighting candles is a sacred ritual. We light a candle for many purposes: to illuminate darkness, dedicate prayers, solidify intentions, offer blessings, evoke Spirit, and/or to nourish grateful living. On this site, you will be guided step-by-step to engage in prayer and light a virtual candle that will stay “lit” for 48 hours. (http://www.gratefulness.org/light-a-candle/)
- Come, Pray the Rosary—An online experience that allows Catholics worldwide to join together in praying the Rosary. Subtitles and a video engage you in your prayer. A live diagram indicates which bead you are praying. (http://www.comepraytherosary.org/)
- Pray as You Go—A daily audio prayer session lasting between 10 and 13 minutes, combining music, Scripture, and some questions for reflection. (http://pray-as-you-go.org/)
- The Daily Examen Prayer—From Discerning Hearts, this video guides you through a five-minute review of your day following the steps outlined by St. Ignatius of Loyola. (https://vimeo.com/115478767)
- Discerning Hearts—The “prayer room” offers dozens of podcasts of Catholic prayers, litanies, chaplets, and novenas. (http://www.discerninghearts.com/catholic-podcasts/prayersdevotionals/)
- An Online Retreat—From Creighton University Online Ministries, this online retreat experience is designed for people too busy to make a traditional 30-day Ignatian retreat. A simple guide each week places themes, reflections, questions, and desires into the background of our busy lives. Can be done alone or with a group. (http://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/cmo-retreat.html)
What other online prayer resources (including apps) do you recommend?
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