Answer: People who are committed to physical exercise outdoors (cyclists, runners, etc.) often must adjust their routines to different seasons, weather, and time changes. Our spiritual life is similar. We may need to adapt our prayer habits to the different seasons of life to remain faithful.

First, ask yourself why summer challenges your prayer. Is it because travel, family activities, and vacations leave less time for prayer? Or is it because summer lacks the structure that helps sustain our spiritual practices during the rest of the year? In either case, a few adjustments can help one be faithful.

1.    Find the best time and place for prayer. If prayer time is limited, make the most of it. Do you pray best in the morning, afternoon, or evening? In a church, outdoors, or in a quiet corner of your home? Use the summer to discover the “sweet spot” where prayer is most fruitful.

2.    Try different forms of prayer. Summer can be a wonderful time to explore new spiritual practices. Lectio Divina, the Liturgy of the Hours, novenas, litanies, Eucharistic Adoration, or contemplative prayer may fit your schedule better and renew your desire to pray. I often find Lectio Divina especially fruitful during summer’s Ordinary Time when the Sunday readings focus on the teachings and miracles of Jesus.

3.    Third, learn to pray during ordinary activities. Some people pray the Rosary while walking. Others listen to spiritual books, podcasts, or the lives of the saints while driving or doing household tasks. These practices can transform ordinary moments into opportunities for grace.

4.    Fourth, pray with the Holy Spirit. Reflect on the Gifts and Fruits of the Holy Spirit and ask God to develop them in your life. This connects prayer to life and reminds us that the Holy Spirit is always praying within us and teaching us how to pray.

5.    Practice prayerful pauses. Throughout the day, stop briefly to remember that you are in God’s presence, that Christ is your constant companion, and that the Holy Spirit dwells within you. These small moments can become seeds of holiness that grow into lasting habits of prayer.

These suggestions are not only for summer; they can strengthen our prayer whenever we find ourselves struggling.