Finding Christ in the Everyday: How a Consistent Prayer Practice Transforms Ordinary Moments

"Prayer is not asking. It is a longing of the soul." - Mahatma Gandhi

In a world that constantly demands our attention—emails pinging, notifications flashing, deadlines looming—finding space for prayer can feel like yet another task on our never-ending to-do list. As Catholics, we know prayer should be central to our lives, yet many of us struggle to establish a consistent prayer practice that withstands the chaos of modern living.

My Journey Back to Prayer

I'm Camila Fontes, founder of Blessed Annotations, and my journey with prayer has been anything but straightforward. Like many of you, I was raised in the Catholic faith, taught to say my prayers before bed and to attend Mass on Sundays. But as life grew more complicated—as career demands increased and relationships evolved—my prayer life became inconsistent at best, nonexistent at worst.

It wasn't until I found myself in a season of profound personal crisis that I rediscovered the transformative power of consistent prayer. During what I now recognize as a divinely appointed sabbatical, I stepped away from everything familiar—friends, family, career certainties—and entered a season of solitude with Christ.

What began as desperation evolved into discipline. Each morning as I opened my laptop, I prayed. Before meals, I prayed. As I prepared for sleep, I prayed. This consistent practice became my lifeline, transforming not only my relationship with God but my understanding of my purpose.

The Missing Piece: Structure in Spiritual Practice

As a marketing professional, I had spent decades helping businesses tell their stories and connect with their audiences. I understood the power of well-designed tools and thoughtful communication. Yet in my personal spiritual practice, I found myself struggling to maintain consistency and depth. The prayers were in my heart, but the structure to sustain a meaningful prayer life was missing.

This realization became the seed that would grow into Blessed Annotations. I began creating personal prayer templates, novena trackers, and confession preparation guides—tools that helped me maintain structure in my conversations with God. The impact on my spiritual life was immediate and profound.

Creating Sacred Space in Ordinary Time

One of the most beautiful aspects of our Catholic faith is the concept of ordinary time—those periods between major liturgical seasons when we're called to find holiness in the everyday. Yet it's precisely in these "ordinary" moments that many of us struggle most to maintain our prayer practices.

What I've discovered is that sanctifying ordinary time requires intentional structure—frameworks that help us create sacred space amid life's demands. Whether it's a daily prayer template that guides your morning conversation with God, a novena planner that helps you remain faithful to a nine-day prayer commitment, or an examination of conscience that deepens your preparation for Confession, structure doesn't limit spiritual freedom—it enables it.

The Birth of Blessed Annotations

"We are never limited to do something good," became my mantra during those months of reconnection with my Catholic faith. "We don't have to wait for something greater to happen. We can create something that helps others find their silent moments with God and discover the amazing life God offers us."

Blessed Annotations emerged from those conversations with Christ—a divine collaboration where my professional skills in marketing and design met my deepening Catholic faith. What began as personal prayer journals and templates gradually evolved into something I felt called to share with others seeking the same consistent connection with God.

Today, our first offering—the Blessed Annotations Catholic Prayer Planner—brings together the elements that transformed my own prayer practice:

• Daily prayer templates that follow the liturgical calendar
• Confession guides and examination of conscience
• A collection of novenas organized by intention
• Feast day celebrations with practical suggestions
• The unique "Petitions in the Cross" framework for intercessory prayer
• "Minutes with Silence with Christ" for contemplative prayer
• Rosary meditation guides for all four Mysteries

An Invitation to Consistent Prayer

If your prayer life feels sporadic or shallow, if you find yourself turning to God only in moments of crisis, if you long for deeper connection with Christ but struggle to maintain consistency—know that you're not alone. The journey toward a consistent prayer practice is exactly that—a journey, not a destination.

The Blessed Annotations Catholic Prayer Planner was created through prayer, for prayer. It exists not to add another obligation to your life but to transform ordinary moments into opportunities for divine encounter.

As we embark on this journey together, I invite you to share your own experiences with prayer in the comments below. What practices have helped you maintain consistency? What challenges do you face in your prayer life? How might structure enhance your spiritual freedom?

May God bless you abundantly as you seek Him in all things,

Camila Fontes

Founder, Blessed Annotations

P.S. We're excited to announce that 10% of all Blessed Annotations sales will be donated to St. Vincent de Paul Church, supporting their mission to help those recovering from loss, poverty, and hunger while strengthening their faith. Your purchase not only enhances your spiritual journey but extends Christ's love to those who need it most.