Every morning, I make the same drink, with the same ingredients, in the same portions, in the same way.
I’m sure I’m not alone in this habit. Why do we do it? Because we want the same outcome—each time, we want the same cup of coffee.
There’s a saying: insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result. If that’s true, then perhaps sanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting the same result.
What might that mean for our prayer life?
Of course, prayer isn’t an exact science like making coffee. But it raises important questions: What are our “inputs” in prayer? And what is the outcome we’re seeking?
A scattershot approach, where we pray whenever and however without consistency, may not lead to the spiritual growth we’re hoping for. At the same time, prayer isn’t a recipe that guarantees holiness if we follow certain steps, say particular prayers, or adhere to a specific schedule.
Instead, we can look to the saints, who are our seasoned guides in prayer. Many saints found incredible richness and growth in consistent, structured devotions—the Rosary, daily Mass, the Liturgy of the Hours. These practices offer a stable rhythm that draws us deeper into relationship with God. But again, it’s not just a matter of saying the right words. There’s a physical aspect of prayer, but also spiritual and emotional.
Our task, as Christians, is to discern the specific path God calls us to. The beauty of the spiritual life is that God meets us personally. As we pursue a rhythm in prayer, we can trust that, by God’s grace, our small acts of faith and consistency will bear fruit.