Creative ways to pray at work

(Catholic Press Association) Most people aren't going to argue the Law of Gravity even though none of us have ever actually seen "gravity." We know it exists because we see the results. No one has ever flown off the planet into outer space because the law of gravity failed to operate.

There are other laws, just as real as gravity, which exist in the spiritual realm. But we are often inclined to dismiss their results as coincidence, mystery or miracle. One of these involves time and prayer. The time we spend in prayer is never time wasted or lost. The great saints have told us this over and over. Many would spend several hours a day in prayer and yet get more accomplished in 24 hours than most of us do in a week. What does this have to do with spirituality at work? Let's be honest. Very few employers are going to take kindly to an employee sitting around "doing nothing" for even a few minutes each day. And saying you are "praying" isn't likely to elicit a much more favorable response. So how can we find time to pray during a day that doesn't have enough time as it is? Here are a few suggestions. Some you may already do. Some may seem totally far-fetched. But, hopefully, like Baby Bear in Goldilocks, at least one or two will be "just right." - Pray on your commute: Listen to a tape of Scripture, pray the rosary or just mentally converse with our Lord as you drive or ride to and from work each day. - Say a prayer each time you hang up the phone: It doesn't have to be long. Just a simple, "Bless that person, Lord" would be plenty. - Use coffee breaks and bathroom breaks for prayer time. - Put a prayer reminder on your desk. For instance, place a holy card or a rosary on the top of your coffee cup when you leave at night. Then, in the morning, as you take the item off to fill up with caffeine, say a quick prayer. - Program your computer for prayer. If you use Outlook to keep track of appointments, program in a reminder once or twice a day to say a prayer. Then, along with the meetings and phone calls, you will be encouraged to pray as you move to your next task. - Pray as you make copies. Most of us spend quite a bit of time each week facing the god of the copy machine. As you wait for your copies to be churned out, pray for your co-workers. - Pray before meetings. If you are the leader and your group is receptive, say a quick prayer before the meeting starts. If that's not possible, get to the meeting room a minute or two before the rest of the crowd and say a prayer. (You'll also look very efficient!) - Sacrifice your lunch hour. Instead of eating, shopping or socializing during lunch, go and sit in your car or a quiet spot and meditate, say the rosary or just converse with God. - Get to work early or stay a little later. Spend a little time before the day begins...or after it ends...in prayer. Woodeene Koenig-Bricker is the editor of Catholic Parent, and OSV publication, and a member of the board of direcdtors of the CPA.

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This story was made available to Catholic Online by permission of the Catholic Journalist, the official publication of the Catholic Press Association of the United States and Canada (www.catholicpress.org).