I was exactly 8,491 miles away from home. It had taken me four flights, 16 hours of waiting in airports, 20 hours in the air, and several hours careening around dirt roads in a bus to reach the town of Hosur in India.

I was there as part of a month-long immersion trip and had just finished my first week in country. Given the effort to get here, you might think I am the adventurous type — prone to backpacking solo around Europe, cliff jumping into swimming holes, or taking off on a last-minute trip to Patagonia. The reality is that I am cautious by nature, a careful planner, and not a fan of heights, cliffs, roller coasters, or really anything that involves danger. And yet here I was traipsing through the dusty streets of an Indian village and wondering if I had been slightly possessed when deciding to come here.

The truth is that I had been fascinated with the idea of traveling to India ever since I was a little girl. I had come across pictures of India in the National Geographic magazines that I dragged home from the library and it seemed like a magical place — exotic, mysterious, colorful — a place of adventure. I’m sure my 10-year-old imagination romanticized it quite a bit. My actual experience of India was full of color and beauty, but it was also hot, smelly, noisy, crowded, and confusing. I felt overwhelmed by the differences in culture, and I struggled to communicate even the most basic of questions.

As our group wandered through the town, a local family stopped us and invited us to their home for refreshments. I ducked in through the doorway and was struck by how tidy the house was. Mats covered the carefully swept dirt floor and a few chairs were placed along the wall. There was a small alcove that served as the kitchen and a sheet hanging across a doorway that went into a bedroom.

I removed my sandals at the door and started to sit down on the floor, but the matriarch of the family clucked at me and shooed me toward one of the chairs. I tried to gesture that I was OK with sitting on the floor, but it was obvious that she would not take no for an answer. Her daughter handed me a cup of sweetened coffee, and I noticed that it was in a very beautiful china teacup. The rest of the tea set was nearby and it was obvious that it was one of their prized possessions as there was not a single chip or crack that I could see. I asked the guide to tell them that I thought it was very pretty. As she translated, the mother and daughter glowed with pride. The rest of their family sipped their coffee from tin cups while the guests were given the china teacups.

I felt slightly awkward as we had no gifts or anything that we could offer in exchange. We were dusty, dirty, and probably smelled to high heaven after being on a crowded, hot bus all morning. Our hosts were dressed in what looked like their very best clothes.

Conversation was slow and stilted. We had to use our guide to translate, so much time was simply spent nodding and smiling at each other. Our guide shared with us that the family was very happy we had come to visit them. They were not well liked within their community because they came from a lower caste, and initially they were not sure if we would accept their invitation. They told us they felt honored that we had come to their home and asked us if we would pray for them and keep them in our thoughts after we left. The mother bowed to us and offered a “Namaste” as we readied ourselves to leave. I found myself wishing that there was something of value that I could offer in return but all I had was a smile, a promise to pray for them, and an attempt to say thank you in Hindi.

I was so touched by the hospitality of this family and at the same time felt guilty and unworthy of their gratitude. All I had done was shown up at their home. There was next to no effort on my part whereas they had dressed in their finest, cleaned their home, offered us refreshment and in their treasured tea set, no less! I found myself wondering if I would have gone out of my way quite so much for a group of complete strangers. But then I realized that’s how it is with God’s love sometimes. I show up dirty, tired, with nothing to offer in exchange. I often don’t feel worthy of it and yet it’s still there being offered. Sometimes all I can give is a heart-felt thank you.

As I put my sandals back on and walked out into the sunshine, I felt a new openness to the experience of traveling in India. A simple afternoon tea had touched my heart and helped me to see not only the beauty of the country but also the beauty that was inside the people I was encountering.

Annie Devine is originally from Ohio and currently resides in Wilmington, Delaware, with her husband, baby daughter, and a rescue dog named Lucy. She has a B.A. in English and literature and an M.A. in pastoral ministry and has spent the last 10 years working and volunteering in young adult ministry. Annie likes to cook, read books, and take naps in hammocks.

Kichijiro is a supporting figure in Martin Scorsese’s 2016 drama/ history movie, Silence. In the movie, Kichijiro is a Japanese guide who serves and accompanies the French Jesuits, Frs. Rodriguez and Garupe. The Jesuits go to Japan on a mission to find their lost mentor, Fr. Ferreira, who has been rumored to have committed apostasy. Kichijiro is a cowardly drunkard who denies being Christian and betrays his visitors to the Japanese officials, only to return to Fr. Rodriguez, begging to have his confession heard. This cycle happens a number of times throughout the movie.

From Kichijiro’s character in the movie, we can surmise what some might call the “anatomy of sin.” Sin is mysterious and predictable, depending on how you look at it. We can come to understand what the early Church Fathers have described as a four- fold path: Suggestion, Conjunction, Acceptance, and Captivity. In Suggestion, a thought or image, desire or feeling is presented to the soul. (For the sake of clarity, I’ll just use the word “thought” to encompass all these sentiments.) Some of these thoughts draw the soul towards God, but not all. The next step, Conjunction, is the interchange that we have with that thought. We can entertain the thought with delight or repulsion. Up to this point, these thoughts can be temptations towards sin, but we have not yet committed it, either in thought or in action. Acceptance follows, wherein the thought is embraced by the will, and a plan for carrying out a corresponding action ensues. Up until this point, the person — you and I — have the will power to make course corrections on the thoughts which have been presented to us. But if we linger in this acceptance, we become enslaved — or held Captive, the fourth stage — to the thought and its expression, from which there is no escape of our own volition.

Some of you might be thinking to yourself, “Gee, this sounds like a summary of an addiction recovery course.” Well, in a certain sense, yes. This approach does fit in that arena. But it also applies to our spiritual lives, at least I know it does for me! This cycle helps me to understand why it is that when I go to confession, I usually have the same set of sins. I have often reflected at how my life can look like Kichijiro’s: the fears I can have about the loneliness of virtue, the anxieties about wanting to save my reputation among people with conflicting ideas, the need for unconditional acceptance without embracing the consequences of my actions, etc. When external events trigger these thoughts within me, there are predictable outcomes, none of which I am proud.

The wisdom of the Church gives us six weeks to reflect on how we have this tendency to prefer the fleeting pleasure or power of sin over the goodness and mercy of the Father. This is where sin is a mystery to us: why, when given the choice to pursue goodness and virtue, do we instead choose pleasure and vice? Are we even mindful or aware of the diversity of thoughts that we have throughout the day? Are we conscious at how our actions and speech are dictated by those interior thoughts? St. Isaac the Syrian gives us a hope-filled insight here: “the inflamed thoughts are uprooted and turned to flight by constant occupation of the mind with God. This is a sword that puts them to death… Whoever always thinks about God drives the demons away from himself and pulls up the seeds of their malice.”

While we cannot know the interior dimension of a fictitious movie character, we can examine our own interior with the wisdom of the Church during this season. Maybe we can practice being mindful of our thoughts during this time. Maybe we can learn to be more discerning of what we allow our thoughts to entertain. Maybe, during this Lenten season, we can learn to think more about God throughout the day and let His thoughts become our thoughts so our actions and words might better reflect His.

Brother John-Marmion Villa, BSC is an author for Liturgical Publications, Inc. and writes reflections on the Sunday readings.

The season of Lent begins this year on Ash Wednesday, February 26th, and ends prior to the Mass of the Lord’s Supper on Holy Thursday, April 9th, when the Easter Triduum begins. Lent is the principal penitential season of the Church year. All the Christian faithful are urged to develop and maintain a voluntary program of self-denial (in addition to the Lenten regulations which follow), serious prayer (addition of daily Mass when and if possible, Scripture reading, Stations of the Cross, and receiving the Sacrament of Reconciliation, etc.), and the performing of deeds of charity and mercy, including the giving of alms (increased attention to the needs of our brothers and sisters).

Lenten Regulations
Catholics who have celebrated their 14th birthday are bound to abstain from meat on Ash Wednesday, each Friday in Lent, and on Good Friday. Catholics who have celebrated their 18th birthday, in addition to abstaining from meat, should fast, i.e., eat only one full meal on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. Small quantities of food may be taken at two other meals but no food should be consumed at any other time during those two days. Liquids do not break the fast and nourishment needed for special needs (such as illness or pregnancy) should always be taken. The obligation of fasting ceases with the celebration of one’s 59th birthday.

Lenten Prayer
Mass Schedule
The Weekday Mass schedule during Lent is as follows:
Monday through Friday – 7:00am, 12:05pm, and 5:15pm; Saturday – 8:00am

Sunday Mass times during Lent are as follows:
Saturdays – 4:00pm; Sundays – 7:00am, 10:00am, and 5:00pm

Reconciliation
The sacrament of Reconciliation is offered daily in the Cathedral church:
Monday through Friday – 4:15pm to 5:00pm
Saturdays – 9:00am to 10:00am and 2:30pm to 3:30pm
Sundays – 4:00pm to 4:45pm

Stations of the Cross
Take the time to walk the Stations of the Cross, the final steps Jesus took to Calvary, each Friday during Lent immediately following the 5:15pm Mass

Lenten Almsgiving Collections
In following our past practice of almsgiving during Lent, a second collection will be taken up each Sunday. Collections this year will be as follows: Ash Wednesday, February 26th – Church in Eastern Europe; March 1st – St. Martin de Porres Center; March 8th – Catholic Charities; March 15th – Helping Hands of Springfield; March 22nd – Catholic Relief Services; March 29th – The Pregnancy Care Center; April 5th – Cathedral Parish Student Assistance for Catholic Education

Easter Triduum Schedule
Holy Thursday Mass of the Lord’s Supper – 6:30pm
The Liturgy of the Lord’s Passion on Good Friday – 3:00pm
The Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday Night – 8:00pm
Easter Sunday Masses – 7:00am and 10:00am

Stations of the Cross will also be held at 12:05pm on Good Friday, and the sacrament of Reconciliation will be offered after the 3:00pm Liturgy of the Lord’s Passion on Good Friday.

More Lenten resources can be found throughout this issue of the Weekly, as well as on the inserts provided. Please continue to watch the Cathedral Weekly and Cathedral website (www.spicathedral.org) throughout this Lenten season for additional resources.

Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent, the 40 days of preparation for the Easter season when Christians are called to deepen their spiritual lives through the practices of fasting, prayer, and almsgiving. The belief is that our consistent participation in these practices — like exercise we do for our physical health — improves our spiritual well-being by stripping away all that is unnecessary and becoming more mindful of how God is working in our lives. Challenge yourself this year, and go beyond the usual practice of “giving up” something. Now is a great time to take stock of your spiritual life and to grow in it. Not sure where to start? Check out these 25 ideas:

1. Make a commitment to read the Sunday scriptures before you go to Mass. In the same way that reading up on football players, opposing teams, and coaching strategies will help you experience a game more fully, familiarizing yourself with the readings ahead of time will help you experience them in a deeper way on Sunday.
2. Use Busted Halo’s Lent Calendar, filled with Lenten-themed Daily Jolts and MicroChallenges to find new ways to practice the disciplines of fasting, prayer, and almsgiving. Each day of Lent, we’ll offer an inspirational quote paired with a practical, challenging task that you can do that day to help keep your spiritual life on point. You can also find these challenges on our website, or when you follow us on Facebook or Twitter.
3. Try a new spiritual practice. Sign up for an hour of Eucharistic Adoration. Attend Mass at a parish that’s made up of people from a different racial/ethnic group. Sign up for a silent retreat or spend at least one hour in silent meditation each weekend.
4. Think about what you usually spend your money on. Do you buy too many clothes? Spend too much on dinner out? Pick one type of expenditure that you’ll “fast” from during Lent, and then give the money you would usually spend to a local charity.
5. Take something on — 40 days of letter writing, 40 acts of kindness, 40 phone calls to the important people in your life.
6. When you first sit down in front of your computer at work, or at the very end of your workday, try a 10-minute guided prayer from Sacred Space based on the spiritual exercises of St. Ignatius.
7. Go to a weekday Mass one day during the week. Many parishes offer them early in the morning, at noon, or after work. Daily Masses are often more intimate and shorter than Sunday Mass.
8. If you don’t have a cross in your apartment or house, buy a simple one and put it in your bedroom.
9. Use Busted Halo’s InstaLent Photo Challenge for daily, creative doses of Lenten spirituality. Post a photo each day and encounter the themes of Lent on a visual, personal level.
10. Instead of turning on a streaming service for your next bingewatching session, read the entire Gospel of Mark in one sitting. As the shortest Gospel, it is the most concise story of Jesus’ life, and the cross, a central Lenten symbol, plays an even more prominent role than in the other Gospels.
11. Attend the Stations of the Cross somewhere. Many parishes offer these during Lent and often on Fridays. Or check out Busted Halo’s Virtual Stations of the Cross.
12. Get some friends together and attend a Friday fish fry at a local parish. It’s not the healthiest thing in the world, but a fun Catholic tradition to help you abstain from eating meat on Fridays during Lent.
13. Unplug from your iPhone or turn off your car radio on your commute. The silence may be jarring at first, but you may find that you are able to concentrate better and will be more observant of your surroundings.
14. Buy a book of daily reflections and keep it by your bed. Local parishes often offer these for purchase during Lent, and there are some good ones available online. Try the Magnificat or a book by Edward Hays.
15. Think about a habit that has kept you from being whom God is calling you to be. Consciously give up that habit for Lent.
16. Spend at least one weekend or evening volunteering during Lent. Serve a meal at your local soup kitchen. Visit the elderly. Stock shelves at a food pantry.
17. Make a commitment to fast from insensitive, cruel comments about others. So, no gossiping or going down the Twitter rabbit hole.
18. Participate in a spiritual book club or small community of faith. Check out what’s already going on at your parish or pick a book and start your own.
19. As a part of your Lenten almsgiving, make a point to learn more about a particular social issue (immigration, human trafficking, racism, the environment, public education, child poverty). Give money to an organization related to your chosen issue that supports the dignity of the human person.
20. Tap into your creative side and try using coloring as a way to pray and meditate during Lent. Buy a coloring book or download a Lent calendar coloring page.
21. Use the Catholic Relief Services Rice Bowl to reflect on the realities of people in need around the world and devote prayers, fasting, and almsgiving to changing the lives of the poor. The money raised by CRS Rice Bowl supports not only the prevention of hunger and poverty in countries like Kenya, Vietnam, and Honduras, but also in the United States. (Twentyfive percent of all donations stay in the local diocese where they are collected.) For your Lenten Fridays, CRS Rice Bowl also features meatless recipes from cultures around the world.
22. Pray for somebody. As you’re walking the streets, driving the highways, or sitting in your cubicle at work, pick out a person who appears to be in need and pray for that person. Be mindful of the words of philosopher Philo of Alexandria, who said, “Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a great battle.”
23. Get to know your neighbors. Introduce yourself, plan a dinner, or bring food to an older person on your block.
24. Read the Works of Mercy as Jesus describes them in Matthew 25:31-46. Then put this teaching into practice and choose an act of service you can perform throughout Lent.
25. Celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Can’t remember how? Tell the priest it’s been a while, and ask him to guide you through it.

Renée LaReau is a senior writer at the University of Notre Dame’s Keough School of Global Affairs. She lives with her family in South Bend, Indiana.

The charism of hospitality empowers a Christian to be a generous channel of God’s love by warmly welcoming and caring for those in need of food, shelter, and friendship.

Since the days of Abraham, hospitality has been a sacred responsibility for the people of God. Care for the widow, the orphan, and the stranger were central to Israel’s covenant with God. And Jesus said that caring for others was caring for him. So all Christians have a role in welcoming and caring for others. But those with the charism of hospitality are empowered in a special way to notice the presence of newcomers. Guests, both family and strangers, are frequently welcomed into their homes. Their concern is not for the tidiness of their house, or the perfection of the meal, but for the comfort and nurture of their guests.

The exercise of hospitality is not limited to a person’s home. Hospitality is an essential tool for an evangelizing parish. Having parishioners with the charism of hospitality actively using this gift makes the parish a place where people experience God’s love in extraordinary ways. Visitors come to the Cathedral because of its beauty, or convenience, or because they have heard good things about us, but they will return again and again if they experience a warm and loving community.

Christians with the charism of hospitality seem to always notice newcomers and seek them out to make them feel welcome, have a strong sense of God when welcoming someone into their home or community, and feel frustrated when strangers are ignored and not made to feel part of the community. They have an amazing ability to create a warm and welcoming environment in which a person’s needs for physical nurture and personal and spiritual companionship are met.

If this describes you, you may have been specially empowered to be a channel of God’s love and mercy through the gift of hospitality. This gift can and should be used in all aspects of your life. Because we welcome so many visitors to the Cathedral, we need all parishioners to be ministers of hospitality. But if you think you have been gifted with the charism of hospitality we need you in specific ways – you would make an exceptional greeter, Alpha team member, or small group leader. Let us know if the idea in serving in those capacities is energizing and exciting. There are people just waiting for the exercise of your gift!

Vicki Compton is the Coordinator of Faith Formation and Mission at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Springfield, Illinois.

Recently, I posted a controversial article on social media, and not surprisingly, I was met with a slew of responses from friends describing ways they either agreed or disagreed with me. It was like a lot of social media debates — one sided, heated, and in the end, somewhat pointless. As I reflected, I wondered if my posting was necessary much less virtuous. Had I accomplished what I set out to do? Did I change anyone’s mind, or did I stir up discord in friends who normally interact in unity? Was my posting helping further the kingdom of God on earth, or did I compete against that goal?

As I ponder the readings for this weekend’s Mass, I find my answer. The theme of holiness is pervasive in each reading, but looking deeper, the theme of mercy shines even more. Indeed, all of Christ’s followers are called to be as holy as he is. But more than that, the holiness we are called to is only made possible by his unending mercy, as the psalmist rightly proclaims: “As far as the east is from the west, so far has he put our transgressions from us.” It simply isn’t enough to say we want to be like Christ. Instead, true disciples are called to be living witnesses of his love and mercy to all those they encounter — whether in person, online, or in passing.

The Rule of the Secular Franciscan Order shares that “… all people of good will, are called to build a more fraternal and evangelical world so that the kingdom of God may be brought about more effectively. Mindful that anyone ‘who follows Christ the perfect man, becomes more of a man [i.e., human] himself,’ let them exercise their responsibilities competently in the Christian spirit of service.”

To me, this rule exemplifies precisely how we are to heed the words of Jesus in the Gospel. He doesn’t call us to keep count, to hold on to grudges, or to constantly defend ourselves when wronged. When I posted the controversial article on social media, it was clear that everyone had an opinion to defend. Rather than helping build a more evangelical and fraternal world, the post became a space for “an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth,” only with words and intellectual arguments.

In the first reading, Moses is called by God to not only be holy, but to show no revenge. The antidote to the selfish desire for revenge is mercy. Even from the days of Moses, God has shown mercy is one of His greatest attributes. This mission of mercy is also given to all His followers.

The psalm continues with this theme as we sing of the Lord’s kindness and mercy. I often wonder if my social media activity is a reflection of God’s action or the opposite. I wonder if those who follow me could say my posts are “kind and merciful.” God reveals Himself as a just judge who speaks immutable truth, but this is not separate or isolated from His unending kindness and love toward humanity. If I don’t follow that same mission, I cannot say I’m truly Christian.

The final gut check for me is found in the words of St. Paul in the second reading as he reminds us that we are temples of the Holy Spirit. This means that even those who disagree with me bear the image of God. They should be treated accordingly, not with a tolerance that accepts sin, or with an avoidance of proclaiming the truth, but through actions and words that truly exemplify the love we have received from our Father. This is a love that calls us to conversion and holiness, but one that is kind and merciful.

So, in the end, I realized that posting the article didn’t help anyone see Christ better. Instead, it sowed a seed of division and discord. The readings this weekend urge us to live a life of mercy in order to be holy so we can be saints someday. A saint is one who sees the beatific vision. That vision needs to start on earth in how we treat those around us who are temples of the Holy Spirit, the same Holy Spirit with whom we want to spend eternity.

Angie Windnagle, BSC is an author for Liturgical Publications, Inc. and writes reflections on the Sunday readings.

One week from this Wednesday, the Church will mark Ash Wednesday, the beginning of the holy season of Lent. Like many things in life, what you get out of Lent will depend on what you put into it and, with Lent, attitude is everything.

Lent is a great love story, though it may not seem so at first glance. If we first focus on sacrifice, self-denial, and penance (the what) without understanding why, then we will be placing our focus in the wrong area. Lent is a great love story because it is about our God who has a love for us that is unbreakable, unrelenting, and inexhaustible, even though we are guilty of rejecting His love time and time again. The selections that the Church gives us from the Scriptures demonstrate this. We are reminded that God has chosen us to be His own and that He has done this is a wonderful way in His only Son through baptism. Through sin, we have squandered the grace that God has given us through this sacrament, but Lent is about the Lord’s call to return to that grace again. This call to return is what the first part of the season speaks to, from Ash Wednesday until the Fifth Sunday.

The second part of Lent continues to tell that same great love story but recalls how this love of God was perfectly manifested in the Paschal Mystery of Jesus, that is, in His passion, death, and resurrection. The fifth week of Lent transitions us to Holy Week which ends with the triumph of Easter. It is at this glorious feast that we renew our baptismal promises, having focused on allowing God to renew the grace of that same sacrament in us throughout Lent.

Sacrifice and self-denial are our responses to the gift of God’s grace that is offered to us for our renewal. The penances and pious acts that we may choose to adopt are not ends in themselves, but acts by which we seek to root out what does not belong in our lives so that the grace of God may find a welcome place in us. The same is true about the reception of Ashes on Ash Wednesday. The ashes we receive are nothing more than the ash of old palms that has been blessed. There is nothing mystical about the ashes in themselves. What is important about the ashes is that we receive them as an outward sign of an inner desire to change our lives, to be converted back to right relationship with God. The reception of ashes and pious acts of sacrifice and self-denial must come from a genuine desire to change; if not, then these acts are empty and do us little, if any, spiritual good.

There are many things that we can do for Lent: add daily Mass to our daily routine, pray the Stations of the Cross, read the Scriptures daily, participate in giving to CRS Rice Bowl, give alms in the special collections for charity, give your time to a good cause, add time for daily prayer, and the list goes on and on; or perhaps we might choose to focus on doing the things that we should already be doing but are not. Whatever you may do or not do, make whatever choice you do in the hope of growing deeper in the love that God has for you. Lent is not about what “do I have to give up” but rather “how can I respond to the Lord’s call to turn back to him.” The first reading on Ash Wednesday from the Prophet Joel says: “even now, says the Lord, return to me with your whole heart.” Make sure that this coming Lent is about your journey deeper into the grace, love, and mercy that is freely offered to us by our Father through Jesus His Son.

Father Christopher House is the Rector of the Cathedral and serves in various leadership roles within the diocesan curia, namely Chancellor and Vicar Judicial.

Last week I wrote about how all of us have a call and all of us have been gifted by God for the sake of others. These gifts, or charisms are different from natural talents because natural talents can be used for our own benefit or for purposes that do not have God’s redeeming work at the center. Charisms can only be used to channel God’s love and provision for the world. This week I’ll begin to describe some individual charisms.

The charism of intercessory prayer empowers the intense, sustained prayer of a Christian for others as the means by which God’s love and deliverance reaches those in need.

Prayer is a necessary exercise for all disciples and does not require a special gift. But those who have been given the charism of Intercessory Prayer often see remarkable answers to their prayers on behalf of others. Christians with this charism are energized and excited to pray for others, and have the sense that God is using their prayers to change lives and situations. They don’t assume they know what God wants in any given situation; they try to “listen” to God for guidance on how to pray. They are able to spend significant time in prayer without tiring, but also can sense when they have done what God has called them to do and are finished. People frequently seek them out to ask for their prayers and report back that things changed for the better after asking for prayers.

If this describes you, you will be eager to volunteer to be on the prayer wall team. The Cathedral offers an online prayer wall so petitioners can request prayers for special intentions. The Prayer Wall Team members volunteer to keep these requests in their daily prayers. If you are interested in being on the team, please email Haley at [email protected] or call 217-522-3342.

Vicki Compton is the Coordinator of Faith Formation and Mission at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Springfield, Illinois.

Not so long ago, my prayer time consisted of presenting a long list of requests to God. Although they were heartfelt and genuine, I gradually became aware that I was doing all the talking, describing the problem to God (which He clearly knew anyway!), and telling God what I thought ought to be done about it. I didn’t give God much opportunity to guide my thoughts while I was praying.

But gradually, I’ve begun to explore different types of intercessory prayer (ways to pray for others). Rather than bombarding God with my ideas and requests, I’m learning to listen as I pray. I spend a few minutes silently considering each situation and wait to get a feeling about what to pray. Sometimes I don’t verbalize a specific prayer – I simply whisper the person’s name a few times. Here are a few suggestions to inspire you toward more creative intercessory prayer.

1. Making my prayer journal creative
My prayer journal has become much more than a notebook filled with names. I use a large scrapbook, and each page is different. For example, Gambia (where I live for several months each year), has recently gone through a period of turbulence, so my Gambia prayer page includes a map and some of my favorite photos. My journal also has a photo montage of my family. On several pages, I’ve written someone’s name and embellished it with felt pens and watercolors as I pray for them. On others, I’ve recorded scripture verses I feel prompted to share with them.

2. Creating a prayer tree
Last summer I created a prayer tree by arranging some twigs in a large vase. I cut leaves from cardstock, added a hanging loop, and then wrote the name of each person I prayed for on a leaf.

As the summer progressed, the twigs became increasingly festooned with leaves. Each time I entered the room, the tree was a gentle reminder to pray.This method was also a great encouragement because I could look at older leaves and thank God for answered prayers.

3. Praying with crafts
Make use of your crafting ability to pray for others by crocheting blankets for the homeless, making twiddle muffs or fidget quilts for patients with dementia, or knitting small hats for babies born in prison.

As a keen crafter, I felt moved to knit some tiny burial gowns to help families whose babies were stillborn. As I knitted each gown, I prayed for the parents who would receive it, that God would soothe their suffering.

This holds good for your friends and family too – while I sewed fleecy tops as Christmas gifts for my grandchildren, I prayed for them. While I believe that the very act of such crafting can be a practical prayer, there’s also the opportunity to pray as you work, or perhaps listen to a recorded meditation, such as a Rosary CD.

4. Using a printable calendar
Printable calendars are great for creative prayer. We can insert prayer requests in advance, adding important dates like a friend’s birthday or upcoming surgery. We can use it like an Advent calendar, by noting important prayers for each day beforehand, then covering it with another paper layer containing doors. Open one door each day to reveal the prayer topic.

Printable calendars can also be used progressively. Spend a few moments in quiet contemplation then fill in each daily square as you feel directed by God. Praying in Color has free printable calendars as well as many other creative prayer resources to inspire you.

5. Going on a prayer walk
A prayer walk can be done on your own or with friends. It could be as simple as taking a walk along your street and praying briefly for each house as you pass. Taking your walk further afield gives you the opportunity to pray for your wider community, including those who work at places such as the hospital, local government offices, emergency services, or neighborhood stores. Include churches, schools, community centers, and those helping others like homeless shelters or a food pantry. Even the smallest community has a host of needs.

Praying for others doesn’t have to be a rote practice. Once we begin using more creative ways to pray, we can find dozens of sources of inspiration. When we learn to listen more carefully to God’s gentle prompting throughout the day, we really can “pray without ceasing.”

Elizabeth Manneh is a freelance writer, sharing her time between the UK and The Gambia, West Africa. She’s written for many publications, including Huffington Post, ReadersDigest.com, and The Good Men Project. She’s on a lifelong exploration to find ways of bringing God into all aspects of her everyday life.