Occasionally, I’ll have one of those really, really bad days, as all of us do. When I become so upset that I can’t even think of the right words to pray, I’ll light a candle and ask Mary, “Holy Mother, I’m so upset right now, I can’t even think of the right words to say, so instead of my prayers to you, I’m lighting this candle; please look into my heart and help me with this problem.”

I don’t know if this is really an appropriate way to pray or not, but it does seem to work. In times of real crisis, when the right words just won’t come to mind, is this an acceptable method of prayer? If not, what would be a better way?