Thursday, October 23, 2008

Why are we here?

As a leaf turns toward the light.... (picture source).

Why are we here at this blog? ...Or why are we here, period? Believe it or not, this post answers both questions.

Many of you may be familiar with NaNoWriMo, the month where everyone who bears a novel within buckles down and writes it out. As a twist on that fine idea, this is also a perfect month to gets one's prayer life jump-started, improved, deepened, etc. Hence "NaPraGoMo" (National Pray To God Month).

Prayer is the best of habits; it truly does change the way you see things. In stopping and lifting your mind and heart to God, you are giving God permission to act in you (God doesn't need permission, but He wants to be invited). Prayer also tells you in indelible ways who God is and who you were created to be. This website is a simple invitation to pray 15 minutes more than you usually do every day.

I will post a prompt (a prayer, a reflection, a picture, etc.) everyday. These will be more the greater lights of the Christian tradition and Scripture; that is, not me! As I am Catholic, some of these pieces may be rooted particularly in Catholic tradition, but my hope is that all Christians would find this a very welcoming place to be for the month. We share a love for the one, true God. I hope this website could lead people to become more accostumed with taking their concerns to God, and learn to listen a bit better and more often.

If you want to be in the sidebar as one of those praying with us this November, please say so in the comments box. And if you want an idea what this will be like, see last year's experiment in this regard. And spread the word! Setting time apart to be with God will be the most transformative 15 minutes of your day!

34 comments:

clairity said...

Please add me to the list of prayers. I could use an extra 15 minutes a day!

Suzanne said...

Please add me, too.

Roger Miller said...

Since I am trying NaNoWriMo AND NaBloPoMo, I think I will need NaPraGoMo. Please count me in. :)

F. S. Poesy said...

I added this to digg in case anyone wants to digg it and help increase participation:

The Ironic Catholic said...

All of you, thanks. And Tim, that's a great idea. There's also Stumbleupon and Pick A Fig...I'll do pick a fig but sites get more traffic if someone else other than the author stumbles it.

The Ironic Catholic said...

p.s. I added a button that helps you share the website on Stumbleupon and Digg, to the right....

NC Conch said...

I'm in for 15 more.

Helen said...

Yes! You can add me to your list.

Kathryn said...

Count me in.

MightyMom said...

oh yeah, sign me up....

do I link to you here...or do I repost the posts and link....
or do I write my own and link??...

maybe I'll do all 3....

thinking....

The Ironic Catholic said...

Mighty Mom, all you have to do is come here everyday for a post on prayer, and pray 15 extra minutes a day. Anything else you wish to do is up to you--no links or trackbacks necessary.

(Although a post to spread the word about the website would be great!)

Sara said...

I'm in!

Betsy Rheaume said...

I'd like to be added as well.

http://onesheep.blogspot.com

Anonymous said...

pls add me to this...
http://seektoreveal.wordpress.com
:)

Rufus McCain said...

I'll try!

VeggieSue said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
reprehriestless warillever said...

I'm in.
I could do with some more praying...

Meredith Gould said...

Totally great and much needed. I'm in and love the widget.

Kim said...

Count me in!

Rufus McCain said...

You can put Korrektiv in the sidebar. I'm not sure about my brethren but I'm going to try to do NaPraGoMo and NaNoWriMo. Seems to me a both/and situation rather than an either/or -- NaPraGoMo serving a function for NaNoWriMo similar to the water and first-aid stations that marathon runners get. (Maybe you should establish a formal relationship with NaNoWriMo!)

Vicki aka Diva Mom said...

I'm so in!

Anonymous said...

Count me in.

Alicia said...

Thanks for the opportunity. I'm in

Sarah Reinhard said...

Curiosity finally got the best of me (and I had time to click through) and I'm in. Late (as usual), but in. Thanks for doing this!

Cathy Adamkiewicz said...

How intriguing that as I've spent much time this week thinking, talking and writing about prayer I should come across this site!

Now to stop talking and start praying! Please add me to the sidebar! I'm in!

The Ironic Catholic said...

Never too late all. Thanks for joining together in this!

DJ said...

Oh wow. I'm sorry I didn't check this out 8 days ago. :) Count me in!!!

Blessings and peace,
Dean

Unknown said...

I pray the LOTH between five to seven times a day, always including the OOR. Also, daily Mass with the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth. So I"m with you.

Anonymous said...

I've been checking in but I'm seriously late in letting you know. Thank you, this has been great. And thanks for the link to Broken Alabster. I really appreciate it! In Christ, Mary

Jan said...

Thank you so much for starting this up, IC. It's been amazing so far.

J.M.

Unknown said...

I'm late, but I'm in! Better than never. This is great, thanks for the effort.

Mary DeTurris Poust said...

I may have missed half the month, but I'm here now. Thank you for this! Mary

Helen H. David said...

I echo the "better late than never sentiment". I posted a NaPraGoMo widget on my blog. It's http://theprodigalcatholic.blogspot.com
Thanks.

mama_nerd said...

I'd like to hope that finding this website also inspires me to continue past the "month" mark!