By Eli Pacheco 

The smell of barbecue. Long, fun-filled days. Vacations.  

These are the things we love most about summer. Sometimes, though, our prayer life takes a backseat. It is common — we have so much of God’s creation to appreciate in so little time. But how can we ensure prayer remains a priority amid the sun and fun?  

Below, Franciscan friars share tips for maintaining one’s prayer practice during the summer. From rising early to considering a retreat to spending time in God’s creation, here are ideas to deepen one's prayer life. 

Five ways to stay connected in prayer this summer

The sun sets over a desert mountain range.

San Solano Mission in Arizona. Photo courtesy of Br. Bradley Tuel

1. Rise and shine

Wake up early to write in a prayer journal or observe quiet time. It takes only a few minutes to start your day in prayer, says Br. Raphael Ozoude, OFM, who serves at St. Joseph Friary in Chicago.

“Keep in mind Isaiah 26:12, which says that it is the Lord who has accomplished all that we have done,” he said. “In other words, even though we often immediately think of all the tasks we must accomplish during the day, we are in God’s hands.” 

Try this 

Rather than scrolling through your phone or fretting over your to-do list, take a moment to trust God with your day. 

“The best thing to do in the morning is to praise God, to thank God for the gift of a new day, and to entrust ourselves and our plans to His providence,” Br. Raphael said. 

2. Volunteer

Volunteering can help draw one closer to God. Care for your community by putting in time at a shelter, food drive or neighborhood cleanup. There are plenty of opportunities in every parish and town.  

Br. David Crank, OFM, is the client services coordinator at St. Francis Seraph Ministries in Cincinnati. He shared a story of a new volunteer who recently gave up her longtime job to care for her ailing husband.  

His death left a void in her life. She found St. Francis Seraph Ministries through prayer and an internet search.  

“And we are so glad she did,” Br. David said. “She has been volunteering almost daily and shared with me that life is much better now that she is serving others.”  

Try this

Having a spirit of service is a Christian trait that persists through all seasons. There are always people who need help. 

Br. Jeffrey Scheeler, OFM, is pastor of Transfiguration Parish in Southfield, Michigan. He said volunteers have a great opportunity to reach out to others at slower times of the year.  

“The Scriptures are filled with this invitation,” he said. “It permeates the Scriptures!  You cannot escape it! Jesus noted that he ‘came to serve and not be served' (Matthew 20:28) and that those who aspire to greatness 'must be the servant.' (Matthew 20: 26).” 

A wooden building stands in a wooded area with long grass and a wooden bench out front on a sunny day.

Mt. Irenaeus (the chapel in the woods). Photo courtesy of Mt. Irenaeus.

 

3. Consider a retreat

Life, work, traffic, bills — they can be a never-ending hassle. Prayer can help deliver you from that for a weekend, a day or even an hour. Seek peace in solitude and rediscover prayer’s restorative power.  

Br. Peter Boegel, OFM, is guardian at San Solano Missions in Topawa, Arizona, served by Province of Our Lady of Guadalupe and St. Barbara Province friars. He says he pauses during the summer to experience nature’s extravagance. In June, he went on a retreat at Mt. Irenaeus Franciscan Mountain Community in West Clarksville, New York.  

“Each day I walked one of the trails and simply marveled at the variety of flora and fauna,” Br. Peter said. “The explosion of life was everywhere! Our God is a God of abundance!” 

Try this 

Immerse yourself in creation’s abundance by using all your senses: Feel, hear, see and taste the season prayerfully.  

“Summer is perfect for that,” Br. Peter said. “Something as simple as mindfully enjoying summer fruit such as strawberries, watermelon or peaches helps me relax and feel like a cherished child of God.” 

4. Break bread with others 

Gathering to eat and pray together provides a chance to deepen spirituality and build community.   

Eating together is a staple of Franciscan life. At Pleasant Street Friary in Cincinnati, where Br. Al Hirt, OFM, resides, the evening meal is the friars’ primary fraternal and family time.  

“Prayer before that meal is sometimes lengthy! We draw into our awareness the world's concerns and the day and are mindful of our gifts in sharing a delicious meal and how many people have so little or no one with whom to share the meal,” he said. 

Try this 

Invite your family, friends or fellow parishioners to join you for a meal. Reach out to people from various parts of your life. You will have the gift of their presence, and they can be present with others who can enhance their lives, too. 

Br. Al said his brother’s family often gave thanks around the table at home. 

“My mother was always concerned with the length of such a prayer because the food was getting cold!” he said.

A man in a friar habit sits on a bench in a sanctuary looking at a statue of Jesus Christ on a cross with two women and a man depicted in front of him. There is a container of flowers in the foreground with a second bench on a paved surface.

St. Anthony Shrine in Cincinnati. Photo courtesey of St. Anthony Shrine

5. Spend time in God's creation

Walk in nature or bring a blanket to the park. Play with your kids or write a journal entry. Presence in nature brings a calm mind, whole spirit and connection with God. Take time to thank Him for the splendor around you.  

Br. Vincent Delorenzo, OFM, is the guardian at St. Anthony Shrine & Friary, which borders Mt. Airy Forest, a 1,459-acre park in Cincinnati. When he sits or walks amid God’s creation, he recalls a Scripture passage from the Book of Kings. 

“Prophet Elijah is told by God to ‘go outside and stand on the mountain before the Lord; the Lord will be passing by,’” Br. Vincent said. “Elijah does not find God in the crushing rocks, heavy wind, earthquake or fire, but in the tiny whispering of the wind." 

Try this 

Just go outside! A moment observing nature reveals all its beauty, Br. Vincent says.  

“The colorful flowers, the trickling of water, the singing birds, the butterflies, the fluttering of hummingbird wings. We do not have to go far to see the magnificence of that is all around us if we take the time and place ourselves in union with all of God's creation,” he said. 

Ready for a prayerful summer? 

It is easy to overthink the prayer process. Your presence is the important thing.  

Br. Robert Seig, OFM, of St. Anthony of Padua Friary in St. Louis, says his hearing is not what it once was, and the dwindling number of friars living at his friary has also brought the prayer volume down. Despite that, count on Br. Robert to be present at morning and evening prayer. 

“Being present with friars in prayer is more important than just words,” he said.  

Br. Raphael reminds us of a quote attributed to St. Padre Pio.  

“’My past, O Lord, to Your mercy; my present, to Your love; my future to Your providence.’ Rather than worrying about the day and jumping into action, ask God to bless you with his love and help you live in the present moment, which is inebriated with His love,” he said.