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The internet and our smart phones can be a great thief of time and attention. We love this easy way to connect with our loved ones . . . but often we forget to include the source and Love that is our Creator and Eternal Father. Many good, faithful Christians have recognized this and have created ways to gently remind themselves and others to include prayer in our everyday routines.
The greatest and most innovative creators of this have got to be John Paul and Annie Deddens. John Paul and Annie are the Founders of PrayMoreNovenas.com
Before I even thought about blogging – and before I entered the world of social media, I somehow came across Pray More Novenas. I thought it was a great idea for a website to send me a reminder to pray – so I subscribed immediately! I’m still subscribed today – and now I am a huge fan of Annie’s other ministry, Catholic Wife, Catholic Life!
If you have not already, definitely sign up for PrayMoreNovena’s newsletter. John Paul and Annie now host online retreats in addition to their novena reminders! It’s a great resource!
Now, if you are one of the 500 million people who scroll on Instagram daily – I have 3 places you can visit where you can pray with others – and be prayed for by others – right there on the gram!
But first, I am going to suggest you download this FREE lock screen package and put one of the 10 lock screens on your phone immediately if not sooner! It is a smart, holy, virtuous idea to say a prayer before going on social media – whether that be Instagram, Snapchat, Facebook or TWITTER (people are so angry on Twitter why is that?)! I found that when I used this prayer I limited my time on social media much more than when I don’t say the prayer. It’s a great reminder of God’s love and will for us!
Now that you are on “the gram”, here are 3 places you can pray with hundreds of others on Instagram!
Pray the Rosary in the Morning
ManyHailMarys was started by Kristin Reilly, founder of OneHailMaryataTime. Kristin and her sister Jill lead the Rosary every morning on Instagram Live – often with guests (I got to do this once, it was so fun! It was also the one day Instagram went down this summer lol). Over 200 women wake up and pray the Rosary on Instagram – it is very moving and remarkable.
I attempt to join in and at least listen, but inevitably that is one time during the day where every child needs me to hug, feed, provide drink and give attention to at a pretty intense level.
Since I found myself often interrupted, I thought of a way people who might be having the same issue could still pray using Instagram, but do so in a shorter time span and at any time during the day. So that leads us to the next place you can pray on Instagram every day . . .
The Rosary is so powerful! Read this incredible story here: The Power of ONE Rosary
Pray a Novena or Short Prayer when you get a free moment
Since I have noticed that my post titled 11 Quick, but Powerful, Prayers (with free printable)* tends to get a lot of traffic – and since I myself get pulled away from the Rosary on Instagram almost daily, I decided to post shorter prayers on my Instagram stories every day. I also am quite aware that I often intend to say a novena, but fail at saying it on consecutive days. Before I started this short prayer on my Insta-stories idea, I had been attempting to pray the Saint Joseph novena for months. So, I started this practice to not only help others, but to keep myself accountable.
Right now the plan is to say novena prayers, then take 3 days to pray more traditional prayers addressing God our Father and Jesus and the Holy Spirit. Then, choose another novena and keep going. I am, however, open to suggestions! If you have any, send me an email or direct message me on Instagram!
*Just want the printable? Click here, subscribe and it will be emailed to you! 11 Quick Powerful Prayers
We just got finished the Novena Rose Prayer! St. Therese is one of my favorite saints 🙂
Pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet
The third place you can pray with others is on dailydivinemercy’s profile. DailyDivineMercy also uses Instagram Live (like manyhailmarys). Pray with a devout married couple and pray for the souls in your family and those who have passed away. I often see dailydivinemercy go Live, but at that point of the day, I am so tired. However, I love that this is an option – and at the end of the day!
Don’t get me wrong, I love to scroll Instagram to connect with others and simply to relax after my children go to bed, but I also want to make sure I stay connected with God. After all, He loved us before Instagram 🙂
Check out these new Prayer Wine Chocolate products! Each purchase helps support this ministry!
You can also pray the St. Dymphna novena prayers daily at @thedailydymphna!