Praying With a Pen Quotes

“I like to let Jesus take the pen. I write a prayer and then in another paragraph I let Jesus talk to me. I write what he is saying to me. It’s amazing when I go back and read it how powerful his words are to me. So go ahead and write, write, write when you sit down to prayer journal. But do remember to hand over your writing instrument and pause to listen as well. Let Jesus take your pen!”
― Mary Beth Weisenburger, Praying With a Pen: The Girlfriends' Guide to Stress-Free Prayer Journaling

“In the Catholic Church the Communion of Saints is a lot like those fellow trail hikers in the Grand Canyon. The saints are our intercessors, our coaches, our fans along the path to the finish line. They go before us, and they walk beside us. They want to help you and pray for you from their seats of honor in heaven. Let them! Learn about them! Write about them! While compiling this book, I learned a great deal about St. Francis de Sales—how his character was so gentle and how he won many souls by practicing his own axiom, “A spoonful of honey attracts more flies than a barrelful of vinegar.”32 He is also said to have coined the term “Grow (bloom) where you are planted”—a personal favorite of mine and the meaning of which I have journaled about quite often, unaware that it was a quote generated by a saint! Reading about the saints or reading the writings of the saints can give you much fodder for your journal. You can even pick a Prayer Partner Saint—your baptism or confirmation saint, perhaps? What questions can you ask him or her? How can this saint help you along your trail? TTBH #4: LISTEN UP!”
― Mary Beth Weisenburger, Praying With a Pen: The Girlfriends' Guide to Stress-Free Prayer Journaling

“Enter our own personal band of angels—the good folks along the (appropriately named) Bright Angel Trail who came to our rescue. They gave us more water, saltine crackers, walking sticks, and sunflower seeds. They encouraged us by telling us, “You’re almost there! You can do it!” They taught us how to tie wet bandanas around our necks to stay cooler. They guided us through the tricky narrow parts of the trail. And they cheered us on as we took the last few steps and snapped pictures of us, weary but triumphant, at the top of the trail. Someone even bought us ice cream at the lodge afterward!”
― Mary Beth Weisenburger, Praying With a Pen: The Girlfriends' Guide to Stress-Free Prayer Journaling

“Well, to make a long story short, by the time we had completed the first mile-and-a-half, we were sweaty, grouchy, and exhausted. We were out of water. And snacks. I was getting one of my infamous “I’m-a-fair-skinned-blonde-and-I’m-overheating” headaches. And my daughter had been nipped by a hungry, over-eager squirrel that had lunged for a piece of granola she was holding. When we finally arrived at the shelter house, we rested and refilled our water bottles, but we wondered how we would be able to summon the strength to make the return trip—going uphill this time.”
― Mary Beth Weisenburger, Praying With a Pen: The Girlfriends' Guide to Stress-Free Prayer Journaling

“TTBH #3: LET THE SAINTS MARCH IN! When our kids were nine and eleven, my hubby and I took them to the Grand Canyon. I had always wanted to hike a canyon trail, so one super-hot, sunny July afternoon, we grabbed a small backpack and stuffed it with a few water bottles and a couple of apples and granola bars and then took off down a trail. The hike we wanted to take was round-trip to and from the first shelter house on the trail, about three miles total, so I wasn’t concerned. I regularly walked four to five miles a day at that time. How tough could it be?”
― Mary Beth Weisenburger, Praying With a Pen: The Girlfriends' Guide to Stress-Free Prayer Journaling

“TTBH #3: LET THE SAINTS MARCH IN!”
― Mary Beth Weisenburger, Praying With a Pen: The Girlfriends' Guide to Stress-Free Prayer Journaling

“Mary could be your go-to prayer journaling partner. And during those times in your life when you are being asked to do something that makes you shake in your boots, or that you do not want to do (even though you know in your heart it is the right thing), turn to Mary’s wisdom. At the wedding feast at Cana, we hear her say some of the few words recorded in the Bible as hers, but which happen to be some of the most profound: “Do whatever he tells you.”
― Mary Beth Weisenburger, Praying With a Pen: The Girlfriends' Guide to Stress-Free Prayer Journaling

“it eventually came as a Holy Whisper: Wait. Was that you, Mary? It was you! It was you the whole time! I know how much of a struggle that was, and what an accomplishment it is, and how grateful and humbled I am for her involvement, so I wear a blessed Miraculous Medal in her honor. It serves as a reminder of her influence in my life.”
― Mary Beth Weisenburger, Praying With a Pen: The Girlfriends' Guide to Stress-Free Prayer Journaling

“Mary stands ready to help us! She has a special role as the Mother of God and Queen of Heaven, and that is to help us find our way to Jesus. Let her! Ask her to soften your heart, help you ponder, and open your ears so that you may hear God speaking to you.”
― Mary Beth Weisenburger, Praying With a Pen: The Girlfriends' Guide to Stress-Free Prayer Journaling

“Mary is the perfect model for how we Catholic women can approach our prayer journaling. Think about it: Mary was trusting. Mary was open to hearing the voice of God in her life. Mary’s heart was “soft”—she was receptive and ready to say yes to God. Mary was not afraid. She asked questions, but then she pondered what she had heard and carried the beautiful revelations she received in her heart. And we can all be thankful that Mary yielded to God’s plan for her life. Her “fiat” to God two millennia ago opened the door to our redeemed lives in Christ today! The”
― Mary Beth Weisenburger, Praying With a Pen: The Girlfriends' Guide to Stress-Free Prayer Journaling

“The origin of the word enthusiasm is en plus theos in Greek, which basically means “inspired by God.” If you sit down in your prayer chair with childlike enthusiasm, you will be inspired by God! Look for and expect great things from your prayer journaling, my friend, and great things will come.”
― Mary Beth Weisenburger, Praying With a Pen: The Girlfriends' Guide to Stress-Free Prayer Journaling

“go back to being that curious child you once were. A child who hoped. A child who trusted. A child who was full of expectations. A child bursting with questions, who was ready, willing, and able to learn. Childlike faith means cutting down our pride, becoming dependent, giving up control of our lives, and allowing Jesus to reign over us, guide us, and be our good shepherd. Empty your heart of suspicion, skepticism, cynicism, and doubt—all those characteristics we often develop as we grow older. Children don’t exhibit those characteristics! When you have kicked those negative qualities to the curb, then your heart will be more open to the Lord’s revelation and the Holy Spirit’s wisdom. St. Thérèse of Lisieux teaches us the importance of becoming like a child: In our relationship with God we are very small children. We always will be. There is no need to be anything else. On the contrary it is essential that we never try to be anything else.31”
― Mary Beth Weisenburger, Praying With a Pen: The Girlfriends' Guide to Stress-Free Prayer Journaling