Breaking down how to pray a Holy Hour.🙏🏻

When I first heard of a “holy hour,” I couldn’t believe that someone could sit and just pray for 60 minutes. I didn’t even know how to fill that much time, let alone half that time. It can be intimidating at first, so I want to break it down for you so that you can have a formula or structure that helps you fill the time while your heart becomes accustomed to just talking and gazing at Jesus for a sustained amount of time. Taking small, intentional steps can transform this time into a profoundly enriching experience.

I’ll say this first—there are many ways to pray, many ways to pray a holy hour, and this isn’t THE “right” way or the ONLY way to do it. Use it as a guide, but let your heart lead, and if you want to skip something or if you want to stay somewhere longer—do it. Let your prayer time be authentic and meaningful to you, just be yourself in the presence of Jesus.

1️⃣ **Quiet your mind, and open your heart. (10 minutes)**  

Arrive at a place of prayer. Focus on clearing your mind, and inviting the Holy Spirit to guide your prayer and open your heart. Sit comfortably and take deep breaths, slowly letting go of any distractions or anxieties, creating a serene space for communion with God.

2️⃣ **Converse with Jesus. (20 minutes)**  

Share how your heart is doing, what you are carrying or worried about, what you hope for. Journaling this prayer out can help if you feel at a loss for words. Speak to Jesus as you would to a trusted friend, laying bare your innermost thoughts and emotions, knowing He listens with boundless love and compassion.

3️⃣ **Form your soul + mind (15 minutes)**  

Read scripture, or a spiritual book that helps you learn about the faith, or a saint, or grow in the spiritual life. Engage with the text, underlining passages that resonate with you and pondering how they apply to your own spiritual journey, fostering a deeper understanding and connection to your faith.

4️⃣ **Reflect + Ponder (15 minutes)**  

Make room for silence. Gaze at Jesus and reflect on what you just read or felt throughout your prayer time. Allow Him to speak or touch your heart in the midst of the quiet. Embrace the stillness, letting the whispers of the divine fill your soul, offering peace and clarity.

If this was helpful, send it to a friend or share it on your Instagram story! Your experience might inspire someone else to deepen their prayer life and find solace in a Holy Hour.