As we become Sons of the Resurrection, we will deepen our relationship with our Lord and God through prayer.

While all of the ascetic disciplines of Easter 50 are a type of prayer, this article will focus on the disciplines that will shape our silent contemplative prayer time during this season. These disciplines are:

For a full list of the disciplines, see "What are the Disciplines of Easter 50?"

The first step to prayer is to ask the Lord to help you know how to pray. Have confidence that he will help you. Do not doubt the Lord. The God who loves you more than you can comprehend will not ignore your request.

You should desire to serve God in the manner most agreeable to him. This desire will be fostered in three ways:

Your motive for prayer must be the will of God rather than your own will. It might take time to foster this motivation—and that is okay. You will learn to pray because God wants you to pray. It is good if you are drawn to prayer, but it is essential that you take time to pray because God wills that you pray. In humility, surrender your will to the Lord—trust him.

First, let's say what silent prayer is not. It is not merely the absence of all noise. The fathers of the Church assign an eminent place to silence the in ascetical life. Interior silence can only be achieved by the absence of memories, plans, interior speech, worries, and curiosities. Silence is not merely a lack of interior and exterior noise, it is a place of encounter. We seek silence because we seek God—silence is the veil that protects the mystery.

Your prayer time is best done before the Blessed Sacrament, either in adoration or locked in the tabernacle. If neither option is available, then “go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you” (Matthew 6:6). Find a quiet place to pray—a place free of distractions. Light a candle before you, if possible. Consider bringing a crucifix into the space with you as well.

If I miss a day, do I need to Easter 50?

No! Amid the responsibilities of your life and vocation, your prayer time might get skipped. Do not become discouraged, feel shame, or give up on prayer because you cannot hit your goal right away. It takes time and mistakes to build anything—even your relationship with God. Do the best you can with the time that you have. If you need to start small with a few minutes and build up your time, we encourage you to do so.

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