When You Don’t Know What to Pray, Pick Up the Rosary

Sometimes we know exactly what we want to say to God.

Other times, we don't.

We are worried about someone we love. We are waiting for an answer. We are overwhelmed by everything happening in the world. We have prayed the same intention so many times that we no longer know what else to say.

Those are beautiful moments to simply pick up the Rosary.

You don't need perfect words.

Our Lady will help you bring your heart to Jesus.

The Rosary Is Really About Jesus

Sometimes people misunderstand the Rosary as simply repeating prayers to Mary.

But look closely at its mysteries.

The Annunciation.

The Nativity.

The Baptism of Jesus.

The Institution of the Eucharist.

The Agony in the Garden.

The Crucifixion.

The Resurrection.

The Ascension.

The Rosary continually brings us back to the life, death, and Resurrection of Jesus Christ.

We are contemplating Jesus with Mary, the person who knew and loved Him more intimately than any other human being.

Give Each Decade a Person

Here is a simple way to make your daily Rosary more intentional.

Before each decade, choose someone.

First decade: your spouse or family.

Second decade: someone who has fallen away from the Faith.

Third decade: a priest or religious vocation.

Fourth decade: someone who is sick, suffering, or afraid.

Fifth decade: someone you struggle to love.

Suddenly, your Rosary becomes much more than something you are trying to “get through.”

You are carrying five souls to Jesus through Mary.

Tomorrow, choose five more.

Pray for Someone Who Doesn't Know You're Praying

There is something especially beautiful about hidden prayer.

Choose someone who will never know you prayed for them.

A coworker who seems overwhelmed.

A person you heard about in the news.

Someone who irritates you.

A stranger you saw crying.

Someone sitting alone at Mass.

A person who has hurt you.

Don't announce it.

Don't expect anything in return.

Just quietly offer a decade:

“Blessed Mother, this one is for them.”

That is an act of charity no one sees except Heaven.

Pray the Rosary Instead of Worrying

How much time do we spend replaying situations in our minds?

What if this happens?

What if they don't change?

What if my prayer isn't answered?

What if everything goes wrong?

The next time you notice yourself entering that cycle, reach for your Rosary.

You might still feel worried afterward.

That's okay.

Prayer isn't always accompanied by an immediate feeling of peace.

The important thing is that instead of carrying the worry alone, you have brought it to God.

Tell Our Lady:

“Mother, I cannot fix this. Please help me give it to Jesus.”

Your Rosary Doesn't Have to Be Perfect

Maybe you become distracted.

Maybe you lose count.

Maybe your children interrupt you.

Maybe you are exhausted and nearly fall asleep.

Maybe halfway through a decade you realize you haven't been paying attention at all.

Come back and continue.

God isn't asking for a performance.

He wants your heart.

A distracted Rosary prayed with love is better than the perfect Rosary you never begin.

Keep a Rosary Where You Need It

Make prayer easy to reach.

Keep a Rosary beside your bed.

Put one in your purse.

Keep one in the car.

Place one near your favorite chair.

Carry one in your pocket.

When you have ten unexpected minutes, instead of automatically reaching for your phone, perhaps reach for your Rosary.

One decade takes only a few minutes.

Those little moments begin to add up.

Don't Wait for a Crisis

We often become serious about prayer when something goes wrong.

But pray when things are going well, too.

Pray for your marriage before there is trouble.

Pray for your children before they face difficult decisions.

Pray for priests before they become discouraged.

Pray for your Faith before it is tested.

Pray for your family before you desperately need a miracle.

Prayer isn't only an emergency response.

It should become part of the rhythm of our lives.

Give October to Our Lady

October is traditionally associated with the Holy Rosary, making this a beautiful time to begin again.

If you haven't prayed a Rosary in months, begin today.

If a whole Rosary feels overwhelming, begin with one decade.

If you already pray daily, choose a new intention.

Perhaps throughout October we can especially pray for:

our families, our parish, our priests, Massachusetts, our country, the conversion of sinners, and those who have fallen away from the Catholic Faith.

And don't spend the month wondering whether your prayers are “working.”

Pray.

Persevere.

Trust.

Let God take care of the results.

Just Pick It Up

You don't need to wait until you feel holy.

You don't need to understand everything.

You don't need the perfect intention.

Pick up your Rosary.

Make the Sign of the Cross.

Begin.

And when you don't know what to say anymore, simply let each Hail Mary say:

“Blessed Mother, take this to Jesus for me.”

One bead.

One prayer.

One person.

One day at a time.

Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary, pray for us.

Mary, Queen of the Most Holy Rosary, bring our families and our parish ever closer to your Son. Amen.