Advent is an important time of the year for us to augment our prayer life. As we wait for the coming of Christ into the world, it is important to find prayerful ways to both draw us closer to Jesus and keep us grounded in what this season is truly all about.

One of my goals this year is to step up my evening prayers a few notches. By bedtime, especially during these long dark nights, I usually feel too tired to pray very sincerely. Somehow or other I found a short podcast entitled “Night Prayer with Fr. Matlak.” Fr. Joseph Matlak is a priest of the Eparchy of Saint Josaphat in Parma (Ukrainian Greek-Catholic). He was born in England but is currently serving at St. Basil the Great Parish in Charlotte, NC. I have found his five-minute bedtime talks to be helpful and satisfying. He starts each night with a lovely prayer that gives me comfort for myself and my loved ones:

Jesus Christ my God, I adore you and thank you for all the grace you have given me this day. I offer you my sleep and all the moments of this night. I place myself and all my loved ones, wherever they may be, in your sacred side and under the mantle of our Blessed Mother. Let your holy angels stand watch and keep us in peace. Amen.

He follows that with a short teaching on a verse of Scripture, then he guides us on examining our conscience. That includes thanking God for all the benefits of our day, examining our sins of the day, asking God for pardon, then making a resolution to amend our behavior. All good things for Advent and the rest of the year that follows.

Scripture: This week, read Psalm 4:9. What is it saying to you?

Call to Action: Give Fr. Matlak a try. You can search for “Night Prayer with Fr. Matlak” on YouTube. If you aren’t techy, at least try saying his opening prayer each night before bed. I think you will find it very comforting