If you would like to begin praying rather than reading about prayer, begin here.
This is a simple guided decade on the first Joyful Mystery, the Annunciation. You do not need to do everything perfectly. You only need to begin, remain with the mystery, and return quietly when distracted.
Before you begin
Take a breath. Place yourself in the presence of God. Ask Our Lady to lead you to her Son.
The mystery
The angel Gabriel is sent to Nazareth. Our Lady receives the word of God with humility and faith. The Word becomes flesh.
A simple phrase to carry through the decade is:
“Jesus, becoming man.”
Pray the decade
Pray one Our Father.
Then pray ten Hail Marys slowly. After the name of Jesus in each Hail Mary, add:
“Jesus, becoming man.”
For example:
“Blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus, becoming man.”
If it helps, remain with one small part of the mystery: the stillness of Nazareth, the voice of the angel, Our Lady's fiat, or the wonder of the Word made flesh.
If your mind wanders, return quietly. That return is already part of the prayer.
When the decade is finished, pray the Glory Be and the Fatima Prayer.
If you want a second phrase
If you would like a second phrase for deeper meditation, you may also use:
“Jesus, with humility.”
But one phrase is enough. Do not complicate the prayer.
After the decade
Remain still for a moment. Ask for the fruit of the mystery: humility. Ask for the grace to receive Christ as Our Lady received Him, with faith, reverence, and love.
If this helped, you may continue to How to Pray the Rosary, Method of Meditation, or the full Joyful Mysteries.