The start of the school year brings fresh opportunities and busy schedules. Between an avalanche of lectures, practices and social events, life fills up fast. Often, prayer is the first thing to go, even though our hearts desire a deeper connection with God.
If you’ve struggled with this, here are a few practical suggestions:
Make Prayer Your Anchor
Instead of treating prayer like one more task on the list, see it as the foundation for everything else. Classes, sports, friendships—offer them all to God. If we want to truly love, know, and serve God, we need to put Him at the center of all we do.
Build a Realistic Routine
Feeling overwhelmed by the idea of daily prayer? Making prayer part of everyday life is a lot like training for a sport—you need a plan. Without consistency, it’s hard to grow.
When developing a daily routine, ask yourself these 3 simple questions:
- When will you pray?
Many Catholics divide the day into small prayer moments: a morning offering, the Angelus at noon, and a short reflection or an Examination of Conscience at night. These “bite-sized” prayers fit easily into busy schedules and give many chances to offer your daily work and studies to God. The key is to find a routine that actually works for you. - What will you pray?
There are countless Catholic prayers, but it’s best to focus on a few that help you connect with God. This might include the Rosary, short Scripture readings, or a novena—something you can realistically keep up every day. - How often will you go deeper?
Plan regular Mass, confession, or adoration. These don’t need to be daily; even weekly or monthly check-ins help strengthen your prayer life and give you grace for the weeks ahead. Small, steady practices make prayer feel doable and help it become a natural part of your day, even when your schedule is full.
Never, Never Give Up!
Building a daily prayer habit isn’t always easy. Some days will feel dry, distractions will get in the way, and it may seem like you’re not making progress. That’s normal!
Prayer is a conversation with God—you’re never doing it alone. Even small efforts matter, and every time you return to prayer, you’re strengthening your relationship with Him. Ask for His grace, stay consistent, and remember that perseverance is more important than perfection.
Making space for daily prayer isn’t easy, but it’s worth it. Start small, stay steady, and watch how daily prayer shapes your life for the better. Having a simple tool can help you stay on track. A pocket-sized handbook of traditional Catholic prayers—like MTF’s Handbook of Prayers, Student Edition—gathers classic prayers, devotions, and practical guides for forming a routine, all in one place. Keeping something like this in your bag or on your desk makes it easier to pause, pray, and refocus—even on the busiest days.
Top Image: Handbook of Prayers, Student Edition by MTF
