In many instances during his public ministry, the Gospels tell us that Jesus went off to a quiet place to pray, to commune with his heavenly Father. At the night before his arrest, trial, condemnation and death on the cross, “filled with anguish and distress,” Jesus prayed to his Father at Gethsemane, “Father, if it is your will, remove this cup from me; still not my will but yours be done.” (Lk 22:42) In prayer he was in complete union with his Father.

The Church offers the Eucharistic sacrifice as our great prayer to the Father; participation at Sunday Mass is very important in the life of all members of the Church. The Church stresses the importance of prayer: ordained ministers and religious are required daily prayer. We are all urged to pray and to pray unceasingly.

St. Augustine of Hippo is quoted as saying, “Every Christian must spend an hour daily in prayer; but, if he is too busy, then he should spend at least three hours.”

Are we too busy to spend time with God in daily prayer?