• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Prayer Wine Chocolate

a spiritual journey to motherhood & beyond

  • Home
  • Wine and Chocolate
  • Faith
  • CSMI
  • Adoption
  • Life
  • Prayer Journaling
  • Resources
  • About
  • Contact
  • Be Yourself!: A Journal for Catholic Girls
  • Donate a Be Yourself Journal
  • Coloring Pages from BE YOURSELF A Journal for Catholic Girls
  • Shop

Jan 23, 2018
Faith· Resources

The Ultimate Lent Guide for Busy People

The Ultimate Lent Guide for Busy People

This article contains affiliate links.  Please see disclosure policy on About Me page for more details.

I have 9 month old twins, a five year old and for the past few days, my husband was sick.

I need a shower.  I need to clean my kitchen and the amount of laundry that needs to folded reminds me once again that we own way to many clothes.

I also am trying to work from home.

For me, prayer happens right in the midst of all the crazy.

Going to adoration regularly is on the list.

My list might be longer than Santa’s.  It’s intimidating and today it is not yet on paper – so it’s on my mind, and “write a list” is on the list.

Once Lent begins, my schedule will be a lot of the same.

Crazy, busy, chaotic.

In order to truly prepare for Easter, my soul needs to engage in more prayer and fasting.

In order to do that, I’m looking to others that have found the same challenges and have created

The Ultimate Lent Guide for Busy People!!

1. Pray while Parenting

Kirby Hoberg, who blogs at Under Thy Roof, suggests:

“Invest in some good children’s religious books”

I love this idea.  We read to our son daily.  Reading books that discuss the the teachings of Jesus, lives of the saints, and how to live a life of faith can fit into our schedule without a problem.
And honestly, can remind us of important lessons we often forget or simply don’t think about.
One book I suggest purchasing is:
If You Had Five Minutes…What Would You Do?
I would also suggest a Children’s Bible:
My Catholic Children’s Bible
And, of course, Be Yourself: A Journal for Catholic Girls

Jessica, from Sweet Little Ones, suggest:

“Start small and make it fun!”

By starting small, Jessica suggests starting with one decade of the Rosary and working your way up to a whole one.  Jessica also discusses how her children play with relevant toys (like a teething rosary  or a plastic statue of Mary).

2. Find time to Pray the Rosary

Busyness doesn’t just cramp my prayer life, it intrudes on healthy habits, like exercising too.

Allison, from Reconciled to You, suggests we:

” . . .head outside to walk and pray.

 

A Rosary typically takes about 17 minutes to recite, most people aim to move 20 to 30 minutes a day – this equals (roughly) a rosary and a few extra laps. “

Going for a walk is already good for our bodies and our minds – adding prayer to the walk is an added bonus, and a wonderful idea. Added bonus, you can do it alone or pushing a stroller!

Monica from Equipping Catholic families reminds us:

 

There are also plenty of Audio Rosaries to listen to …or Catholic apps to keep track of the prayers so that you can focus on the actual prayer and reflection and leave the accounting to someone else.

Monica gives an extensive list in her article, “Reluctant to Regular Rosary Prayer”.  She includes CDs, Apps and links to digital downloads.

Here is a newer digital download to check out: The Kitchen Rosary

and a CD for your commute to work and to listen to at home: The Catholic Rosary

3. Remember that not all prayers are lengthy and time consuming!

Check out this post from earlier and print out 11 short prayers!
11 Quick, but Powerful, Prayers (free printable)

The Bloggers at Hail Marry  creatively recommend to incorporate prayer in daily actions, such as:

Pray while washing your hands.  By the end of the day, the time spent praying adds up!

Becky Roach from Catholic Link states:

There are certain moments in life when a short prayer is what we need to restore our focus on God and bring forth a sense of calm.”

Check out 15 Powerful Prayers You Can Say in Just 15 Seconds! when you are in those certain moments!!!

4. Follow Faith Based Social Media Accounts  for Reminders to Pray

 

For an entire directory of Faith on Social Media, check out Catholics Online: A Directory of Catholic Social Media Influencers

Want a short cut? Follow on Twitter – Catholics Online, Prayer Wine Chocolate on Instagram and Catholics Online on Facebook

Leslie, from Life in Every Limb, reminds us to stop and pray for others while on our smart phones:

the thing about Facebook is that you see daily the friend or acquaintance for whom you have promised to pray . . . I see regular updates which remind me to keep that person’s intention in my prayers”

5. Prayer Journal

How does Prayer Journaling fit into a busy person’s schedule you ask?

One of the best answers comes from Dianna Kennedy over at The Kennedy Adventures

I spend a lot of time in that particular workspace and on my computer, so it sort of made sense back in August 2012 when I started incorporating Evernote into my daily prayer routine.

More ideas for prayer journaling on a busy schedule: WHEN DO REAL WOMEN FIND TIME TO PRAYER JOURNAL?

DaySpring has AWESOME PRAYER JOURNALING PRODUCTS!

Kids can prayer journal too!  Have you checked out my first book Be Yourself: A Journal for Catholic Girls?  It’s available on Amazon with Prime shipping as well as right here!

5. Sign up to be somewhere with others

Many, hopefully most, parishes provide opportunities to pray and reflect with the community during Lent.  Sign up for something, make the commitment and remember, people are expecting you there!  Runners do this for accountability, surely we can use this tactic to light a fire under our bottoms too 🙂

Last year a group of women in our parish met at a home, discussed a book and enjoyed some snacks (of course wine and chocolate, of course)!!!

This year, a group of us will hopefully do the same!

Find out what your parish is offering and vow to do one thing.  Perhaps, host a Scripture study, Rosary night or faith sharing group yourself!

Looking for more help this Lent?  Here ya go!!

39 Ways to Keep Lent Holy (Without Giving Up Sweets)

40 Prayer Journal Prompts for Lent (Part 1)

40 Prayer Journal Prompts for Lent (Part 2)

&
;

 

Share233
Tweet
Pin27
Share
260 Shares
Previous Post: « 7 Meaningful Ways to Support the Pro-Life Movement
Next Post: Lenten Resources for the Whole Family »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Alicia says

    January 24, 2018 at 7:25 am

    Oh, don’t forget Molly McBride and the Purple Habit. It is a lovely book! All these ideas are wonderful for me as my youngest is expecting our first grand-baby and we are so excited! Enjoy every wonderful, busy, overwhelming moment because it does pass too fast. Blessings!

    • Amy says

      January 25, 2018 at 6:52 am

      Great reminder – those books are awesome!

  2. Fouad says

    January 25, 2018 at 1:52 pm

    This is encouraging. I go to mass every morning and pray every night before bed, but should adopt some practices to pray during the day.

  3. Sara @ To Jesus Sincerely says

    January 26, 2018 at 7:59 am

    So many great ideas! We’re going to try to pray the whole Rosary as a family for lent…. we’ll see how it goes!

  4. Tammi says

    February 2, 2018 at 11:00 pm

    These are such simple and effective ways to journey into Lent. Thanks for sharing.

    • Amy says

      February 12, 2018 at 5:37 pm

      Thank you Tammi!

  5. Jeanie Egolf says

    February 6, 2018 at 9:22 am

    Oh my goodness, Amy, I love reading your blog and am glad that you are on the mend. I’m praying for you! BTW what a nice surprise to come here to read today and see the above comment from a Molly McBride fan, lol!! I was going to comment “I especially agree about # 1!” and then I saw Alecia’s comment. LOL! Hi Alecia! I’m the creator of the Molly McBride series, and I’m glad you’re enjoying them. Blessings!

  6. Fouad says

    February 6, 2018 at 5:03 pm

    Very good tips!

Primary Sidebar

       

Amy is the Co-Founder of CatholicsOnline.net

10 Free resources

10 Free resources

10 free resources for subscribers!

10 free resources for subscribers!

prayerwinechocolate

Dear Lord, help me to be who you want me to be and Dear Lord, help me to be who you want me to be and set the world ablaze!!!
#CatholicScripture #Catholicreels #Catholicprayers #quickprayer #Jesusandcoffee #Morningprayer #Showmetheway
On vacation; just happen to be staying in a house On vacation; just happen to be staying in  a house next to a church that organizes an incredible celebration for the feast of the Assumption every year! 

My mother once mentioned to me that being near the ocean on this holy day is extra special.

And the day was extra special because I ran into an old friend… Sister Lisa!

20 years ago I went on a mission trip to the Dominican Republic with Sister and a lovely group of high school girls. I hold those 2 weeks in a very special place in my heart.
God is good.

Have you ever done anything like this ? Tell me in the comments!!!

@yellaphant I mentioned you and Sister says hi!!!

#MotherMary #Oceancity #Blessingofthesea #Catholic #starofthesea #praymore #believe #godisgoodallthetime
#GoodmorningJesus #Catholic #Sunday #RomanCatholic #GoodmorningJesus #Catholic #Sunday #RomanCatholic #catholic
There is so much I’d love to tell you about the There is so much I’d love to tell you about the 12 year old girl who colored these pictures. 

But, I hear in my heart those moments in Scripture where “Mary pondered these things in her heart”. 

What I was assured of this week by the example of more than one “junior high student “ is this…. 12 year old girls still love to color.

I mean, let’s be honest… I still love to color.

In honor of these young souls… coupled with the belief that every seed of faith we sow matters… 

the 20 coloring pages from the girl’s Be Yourself Journal are on sale this week!
I hope they bring you and others joy and hope!!!
Post pics when they are done and tag me!!!!
I’d love to see them!!!

#catholiccoloringpages #Catholicjuniorhigh #Catholicmiddleschool #ClassicalCatholic #Catholicyouth #youthministry #Catholicart #Catholicquotes
Even Jesus had a rough day when He was 12! Meet yo Even Jesus had a rough day when He was 12!
Meet your child exactly where he or she is with the Be Yourself Journals!!!!
Link in bio!
#tweengirl #parentingtweens #CatholicChristian #Catholichome #catholicinstagram
You and I both know that the Rosary is not just fo You and I both know that the Rosary is not just for white haired Grandmas… but how do we convince our friends and loved ones to embrace this powerful prayer and meditation on the life of Our Lord Jesus?

Honestly, with me in my 20’s… it started by being a gathering of broken hearts.

I was lonely, another friend was going through infertility, another was stuck in the past so much it affected her daily life… another found herself facing an unplanned pregnancy.

When you hit rock bottom, you grasp at anything that could possibly pull you up.

For us, that was the Rosary.
How? One friend suggested it because her Mom had a rosary group she attended for years. Another (me) said “yes, let’s do it”.

If you have a friend who is deep in sorrow… go to her with a Rosary and offer to pray with her.

If this is a person who may be reluctant, bring wine. Offer one glass and two listening ears.
The Lord and His Mother will do the rest.

If you want more guidance, check out my Prayer Wine Chocolate Retreat Guide! Link in bio 🙏🍷🍫.
#Rosary #PraytheRosary #prayerwinechocolate #bissisterhood #Catholicfriends #Catholicprayer #Catholic #Catholicmom #Catholicmother #Catholicwoman #Catholicwomen
Saint Padre Pio, pray for us! #prayhopeanddontworr Saint Padre Pio, pray for us!
#prayhopeanddontworry #PadrePio #servegodwithlaughter #Catholicmeme #Catholicmemes #Catholicwife #Catholicmom
Do you have dietary restrictions but would like to Do you have dietary restrictions but would like to attend the Prayer Wine Chocolate Retreat?

In the past I have received messages inquiring about the food that is included in the registration cost of the retreat.
This year, I’m happy to announce that the vineyard serving our lunch is extremely accommodating for those who have strict diets.

Here’s what’s on the menu for the 2022 Prayer Wine Chocolate Retreat:

The 'standard' lunch is a duet of sandwiches -- half turkey wrap with lettuce, tomato, muenster & honey mustard, and half a baguette sandwich with tomato, mozzarella, and basil oil. 

Accompanying the sandwiches is a seasonal mixed greens salad with dried fruit and cheese (and sometimes nuts are included as well). 

If anyone has an allergy to nuts or cheese we serve their salad without it of course. 
Also, for dairy allergies, they would receive a full turkey wrap WITHOUT cheese (and none of the tomato-mozzarella baguette).

Gluten-free guests receive tuna salad on a bed of greens.

Vegetarian guests receive a full tomato-mozzarella baguette (and no turkey wrap).

Vegan guests receive a roasted vegetable and hummus wrap.

Still have concerns? Don’t hesitate to reach out!
Limited spots are available! Register soon before the event sells out! Link in bio!

#Catholic #Catholicretreat #Catholicwoman #SaintGianna #ourladyofczestochowa
2022 Prayer Wine Chocolate Retreat registration op 2022 Prayer Wine Chocolate Retreat registration open…
#prayerwinechocolate #Catholicretreat #Catholicdayofreflection #dayofreflection #Catholicwoman #Catholicmotherhood
God created so much for us to enjoy! How amazing i God created so much for us to enjoy!
How amazing is it that all of creation was created for us?!

I hear “God loves you” often. 

I believe that God loves us more than we can imagine.

However, sometimes I forget to contemplate the magnitude of that truth.

When I was writing the first Be Yourself Journal, I came across this in the catechism and I had to include it in both the girl’s and the boy’s journals:

“God created everything for man but man in turn was created to serve and love God and to offer all creation back to him…

the heavens and the earth, the sea and all the rest of creation exist for him.”

This summer, our family is taking time to indulge and embrace just a sliver of this incredible gift.

In what ways do you enjoy God’s creation? Share your favorite ways to enjoy nature in when comments!
#Allofcreation #Catechism #Catholicteaching #Catholicteacher #Catholicinspiration #InstaCatholic #bissisterhood #Liturgical #Catholicmom #beyourselfjournal
Rejoice in God’s creation today!!! Share what yo Rejoice in God’s creation today!!!
Share what you are rejoicing in below!
#Catechism #Catholic #Biblequotes #readyourbible #bibleinayear
God's love for each of us is unimaginable. It's so God's love for each of us is unimaginable.
It's so intense.  It's so real.  It's just as much for you as an individual as it is for any other person.

When I was in my early 20's, I would often to go a neighboring parish for daily Mass before I went to work as a camp counselor.

The old priest would constantly remind us of this verse and express to each person in the pew how much God loves us.

It touched my heart.
I want it to touch yours too.
#Godsloveisreal #Scripture #Biblequotes #Catholicblog #Catholicspeaker #Catholic #Catholiccontent #CatholicChristian #instainspiration
Just sitting here laughing at my own jokes 🤪 Al Just sitting here laughing at my own jokes 🤪
Always remember Rule #6: Never take yourself to seriously! 
#Catholicblog #Catholiconline #prolife #Catholic #Catholicsocialmedia #Catholicwoman
The first Prayer Wine Chocolate Retreat was held i The first Prayer Wine Chocolate Retreat was held in 2016.
That year participants visited the place where Saint Katharine Drexel lived, worked and prayed for most of her life. Shortly after that retreat the property was sold and Saint Katharine Drexel’s Shrine was moved into Philadelphia where it continues to be today.

Since 2016, Prayer Wine Chocolate Retreats have been held almost every year. We’ve visited the National Shrines of Saint Gianna, Padre Pio, Our Lady of @czestochowa_shrine and have participated in an out door Mass on the grounds of a vineyard.

In the past, we have visited one shrine and two vineyards.

This year, we will visit two shrines and one vineyard.

So far, each person who has registered has been to a previous Prayer Wine Chocolate Retreat.
I’m so grateful that this event has become a day women look forward to!

Space is limited! The Prayer Wine Chocolate Retreat has sold out each year!!!

Feel free to ask questions in the comments.
Reserve your spot today!
Link in bio 🙏🍷🍫❤️
#Catholicretreat #prayerwinechocolate #Catholic #Catholics #Catholicfriends #Walkingwithpurpose #praytheRosary #Catholicmass #Catholicshrine
So excited… REGISTRATION is now open for the Pra So excited… REGISTRATION is now open for the Prayer Wine Chocolate Retreat!!!!
🙏 🍷 🍫 
Link in bio!!!
#Catholicretreat #Catholicwomen #Catholicfriends #bissisterhood #Catholicfellowship #prayerwinechocolate #Retreatinpa #visitbuckscounty #Catholicmom #Catholicblog #Catholicwife #ourladyofguadalupe
Be Yourself: a Journal for Catholic Boys is a grea Be Yourself: a Journal for Catholic Boys is a great way to encourage your son to write this summer!!
Link in bio; also available on Amazon, at @osvcatholicbooks and @barnesandnoble online!
#Saintquotes #Catholicmom #Catholickids #catholicyouthministry #CatholicChristian #Catholicbooks #Catholicjournal #Catholichome #catholiceducation #catholichomeschool
My husband Matt gives each of our children a bless My husband Matt gives each of our children a blessing before they go to bed at night.
I asked him if his parents did that … and he said, “no”.

He said that his father would bless him with holy water in church, so he was doing that with our son one day and the priest who said Mass saw him do it. The priest then told Matt, “you know, a parent blessing his or her child is one of the few blessings a lay person has the authority to give.” 

Since then, he has given them a blessing almost daily.
The words he uses as he makes the sign of the cross on their foreheads are:
“God bless and protect my son (daughter)
Keep him (her)safe, good and holy and protect him (her) from all evil, Amen.”
I might have to ask him or the kids what I’m missing or if I messed that up a little… but you get the idea.
Bless your children!

I read that a blessing realigns our world with heaven by acknowledging all is a gift.

Do you bless your children? Did your parents bless you?
#blessing #Catholic #Catholicmom #Catholicparenting #gentleparenting #Catholicchristian #prayerwinechocolate #Catholicdad #hallowapp #coffeeandprayers
Type the next line of the prayer in the comments! Type the next line of the prayer in the comments!
#praymore #praywithoutceasing #prayalways #Catholicprayers #Catholicsaints
Hi there!!!! I am so happy you are here and we ar Hi there!!!! 
I am so happy you are here and we are connected on “the gram”!

My name is Amy Brooks… and I started the Prayer Wine Chocolate blog with the intention to share how my husband and I grew our family through adoption-without signing up with an adoption agency.

I also wanted to create gift guides that had Catholic gifts on it.

I share this today because my word of the year is “laugh” and when I thought of posting a “Friday introduction “ I immediately recalled the saying:
“Want to make God laugh? Tell Him your plans!”

What starting this blog has led to- through the grace of God- has been amazing!
I realized that I had what @jenniferfulwiler would call a blue flame inside of me - writing.
Once again, I have to laugh because my English grade in 8th grade was so bad my dad pulled me off the soccer team and when I started college I had to take a remedial English class. God has reminded me over and over again that through Him all things are possible!

One of the greatest experiences in this journey has been meeting incredible people who love the Lord and who are truly kind and compassionate. It was through meeting @windhovering Jerry Windley-Doust that motivated me to write the Be Yourself Journals that our now published by @osvcatholicbooks . I also have been extremely blessed by the community of Catholic Social Media now known as @catholicsonline . If you are trying to evangelize or minister with the help of social media, I invite you to join us! 

I’m the oldest of 5. I asked my brother to give a speech at my wedding reception because I think he’s so funny that he truly could be a stand-up comedian. He ended up giving a speech so touching, I published part of it one boy’s Be Yourself Journal. He also cracked everybody at the wedding up 😂.

Somewhere in this group of pictures there is a picture of my parents. In that picture, my dad has his face painted. One of my siblings overheard him talking about him having this done as a “once in a lifetime experience “! 😂 He’s 72… apparently last weekend was his first opportunity to have this done.

Ps. My younger son recently asked me if I had water when I was a kid. He then asked me if soap was invented yet.
SUMMER JOURNALING can be fun!! I have 2 Be Yourse SUMMER JOURNALING can be fun!!

I have 2 Be Yourself: a Catholic Journal for Girls in stock and only a handful of the boy’s journals in stock!

I’m jumping on the #smalloverprime specials and anyone who purchases (or donates) a journal in the next 24 hours will get the coloring pages download for free!!!
That’s 20 inspirational quote coloring pages!!!! And trust me- they are fun for all ages!

Plus… this is the last day you can get the Plan Your Own Prayer Wine Chocolate Retreat Guide for over 40%off! 

Links are in my bio!
Happy Summer 😎🍉🕶🌻☀️!
#Catholiccoloringpages #Catholicinspiration #shopCatholic #Catholicjournal #boysjournal #kidsjournal #booksfortweens #Catholicwoman #Catholicfellowship #Catholicretreat
Load More Follow on Instagram

Footer

Catholic Ads

       
a spiritual journey to motherhood & beyond

Copyright © 2022 · Cultivate Theme theme by Restored 316