Listen

Let them praise God’s name with dance; let them sing God’s praise with the drum and lyre! Let the faithful celebrate with glory; let them shout for joy on their beds.

Psalm 149:3, 5

Think

I’ve never tried shouting for joy on my bed. I think it would be poorly received by the other people in my house, who are usually trying to sleep in their beds while I’m lying awake in mine. But I do often pray in bed—especially in the last moments before I drift off at night.

These are not times of day when I’m usually in the mood for long, wordy prayers. Instead, I borrow from St. Ignatius of Loyola, who prayed through what he called an “examination of conscience.” At the end of each day, I take a few moments to ask: When did I feel closest to God today? When did I feel furthest from God today? Then, I say a short prayer inspired by one of those moments—sometimes giving thanks for something good, sometimes asking for help with something hard—and ask for God’s blessing on the day to come. I might not be shouting, but taking these few moments to enjoy God’s presence still brings me joy.

Catherine Healy

Question to Ponder:

When did you feel closest to God today? When did you feel furthest from God today?

Pray

Holy God, you hear all my prayers, and you know when I feel closest to you. Guide every moment of my day, and help me notice what you are doing in my life, so that I might show others the same love you have shown me. Amen.

Go

“Be strong, be fearless, be beautiful. And believe that anything is possible when you have the right people there to support you.”

– Misty Copeland, American ballet dancer