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Editor’s Note: This reflection was originally on the OCF blog by a past contributor. We are re-sharing it as part of a semester-long discussion series because its insights continue to speak to cultivating an inner life of prayer. While some references reflect the context in which they were written, the core ideas remain relevant and invite every student into meaningful discussion today.
Before we begin our discussion, let’s begin with 120 seconds of silence. It’s been a long day. Take this chance to come into the presence of God and his saints as a group. Sit still. Breathe slowly and deeply. Say the Jesus prayer.
People pray, sometimes. A few people pray, often. Most people feel that they don’t know how to pray at all. We read, listen, think, debate, and ask about it. We try learning to pray. But prayer is tough!
In Psalm 46, we hear “Be still, and know that I am God.”
St. Paul calls for us to “Pray without ceasing.”
St. Seraphim of Sarov says, “Acquire a spirit of peace, and a thousand souls around you will be saved.”
These quotes are instructive reminders that can help our prayer take shape. These are just some of the lessons I have taken from these quotes:
- Turn off your phone and be quiet. Move away from distractions. Relax, breathe, and try to be still.
- Remember that you are a human being, not a human doing. Take a moment to acknowledge your existence. Try saying the Jesus prayer: “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me a sinner.”
- Reflect on your existence and acquire a spirit of peace.
Reflect on my existence?! Acquire a spirit of peace?! That sounds really hard.
Sometimes, trying to pray feels like trying to draw the rest of the owl. Luckily, there’s a great tool to help you move forward: journaling!
Many people use journaling as a means of self-reflection. Writing down my thoughts helps me “be still” while still allowing my mind to flow. You may find this to be helpful as well.
If you like, begin your entry with the date and a prayer of thanksgiving. God, I am thankful for this. God, I am thankful for that. Also, thank you for my friends. Etc., etc., et. al. This helps you begin with a good mindset.
As I continue writing, I think about things that have happened to me recently. I think about the things I did (or didn’t do) all day, my friends, and my family. You can do this, too. Think about the good things that happened to you, and the bad things. Think about how they made you feel. Write it down as if you’re telling a friend, or future you, or God.
After that, I take it a step deeper. I ask myself why I did the things I did or felt the way I felt. Do likewise; think about your goals. What did you want to accomplish today? Think about your values. Write everything down! Perfection is not the aim, so if you’re struggling to keep up with your thoughts, think slower (or write faster).
Finally, as you finish, look toward the future. What are you going to do differently tomorrow? This week? This year? What are you going to do the same? Write it all down. If you run out of paper, buy another notebook. 
I like to close by writing down the prayer of St. Ephrem:
Lord and Master of my life, cast away from me the spirit of laziness, idle curiosity, love of power & vain talk.
But grant me, Your servant, the spirit of moderation, humility, patience, and love.
Yes, Lord and King! Grant me to see my own faults and not to judge my brothers and sisters.
For You are blessed forever. Amen.
I had no idea what I was doing when I started journaling months ago. I held close the spirit of Fr. Thomas Hopko’s words: “When you fall, get up immediately and start over.” Or, as Alfred said to Batman: “Why do we fall, Bruce? So we can learn to pick ourselves up.” Journaling helped me persevere through tough times and celebrate great times. Pausing to “be still” reminded me to glorify God, give thanks to Him, and face towards Christ once again.
As we remember this year’s Lenten season and celebrate Christ’s Resurrection, reflection becomes crucial if we want to move forward in our faith. We must look back and carefully consider our failures and successes. Then, tomorrow will be better than yesterday, and next year will be better than the last.
Questions for discussion:
- How can journaling lower the barrier to beginning a prayer life?
- Which part of the journaling process described felt most approachable to you?
- In what ways can writing help us be more honest with God than spoken prayers?
The post Where Do I Even Begin? | Cultivating Prayer appeared first on Orthodox Christian Fellowship – OCF.
