By Sister Stefanie MacDonald, OSB

I’ve been mulling over a passage from prayer recently: Relieve the anguish of my heart, and set me free from my distress. Preserve my life and rescue me. Do not disappoint me; you are my refuge. (Psalm 25)

Everyone has times when prayer does not come easily … even Sisters! We wonder why it’s so hard, and we might even feel guilty that we are having so much trouble.

That is most likely to happen to me when I’m praying about a decision or transition I need to make (including my discernment a few years ago). I put my worries, thoughts, fears and anxieties first. I end up with so much chatter in my head I can’t hear God’s voice! I can’t feel God’s presence!

First, let’s take a deep breath and just … be. Let’s put our chatter aside. Let’s let God be God!

When we go to God and just sit with God, we are more able to hear, sense and experience God’s presence in our lives.

One of my Facebook friends posted a quote recently that reminds us that God is counting on us to use our gifts and opportunities, here and now.

With God, we can do anything … even explore religious life! Contact me if you want to talk about it … and we’ll lean on God together. 🙂