There are both interior and exterior difficulties we encounter as we attempt to form a daily habit of prayer. Interior difficulties: discouragement, dryness, heaviness of spirit and temptations. These difficulties are overcome through patience and perseverance. Exterior difficulties: fear of what others may think or say, and setting time aside. These difficulties are overcome through humility and diligence (See Diary #147).

Try to set a daily time for prayer and do not be afraid if others become aware of this commitment. Make it a time where you set aside every distraction and diligently focus in on the voice of God. Try kneeling or, even better, try laying prostrate before our Lord. Kneel or lay prostrate before the crucifix in your room or before the Blessed Sacrament at church. If you do, you will most likely encounter immediate temptations and difficulties. Do not be surprised by this. You will find yourself thinking about other things that you should do and you may even worry that others will discover you are praying. Persevere, stay focused and pray. Pray deep and pray hard and you will see the good fruits of this commitment in your life.

Lord, give me the strength I need to persevere through any and every difficulty that tries to keep me from my prayer with You. Make me strong so that I can set aside any struggle or temptation that comes my way. And as I press on in this new life of prayer, please take my life and form me into a new creation in Your love and Mercy. Jesus, I trust in You.

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