How to Build a Solid Interior Life When It is Full of Interruptions

We all have hills we will die on, right? The firmly held belief, opinion you hold, stance you must absolutely, 100% defend. Mine include, in no particular order:

Focal walls, where you paint one wall a different colour, are most of the time a TERRIBLE idea
Leopard is 100% a neutral
Papyrus is a font that no church EVER should use in their marketing. Ever.
But more recently, a new, much more meaningful hill, that does not involve leopard print, has emerged.

And that is, my belief, that there is no more important pursuit, than building a regular life of prayer, that leads to a deep interior life with Jesus.

Last week, I shared how a season of instability led to dependence and intimacy with the Lord that I have never experienced in my 41 years of life. It happened out of desperation, due to agonizing circumstances. I wouldn’t wish them on anyone…

…and yet, the intimacy with the Lord was worth the trial. It seems so weird to state it so plainly, but it’s true. I wish our family hadn’t gone through hardship, and yet the fruits of it were incredibly worth it.

This life of regular prayer, where you sit with the Lord, talk to Him, and expect a response, is available to all. And it is essential for discernment. It is the answer to every question, every problem, every situation.

And yet… if it is so essential…

…why is prayer sometimes so hard?

The answer to this question I think can be found in several spots. Prayer can at times:

confront us with silence (which isn’t always comfortable)
confront us with nothing (which might feel like a waste of time)
confront us with something (that might be scary)
confront us with a lack of clarity… when really what we need to build is that close relationship
SO what do we do instead?

1. We build relationship.
 
Think about it this way…

You don’t build closeness with your spouse by checking boxes.
You don’t deepen friendship by demanding outcomes.
And you don’t encounter God by rushing Him.

Build a relationship with Jesus: the kind that wrestles, the kind that is steadfast, the kind that trusts, the kind that remains.

As we read in the Catechism of the Catholic Church:

2709 What is contemplative prayer? St. Teresa answers: "Contemplative prayer [oracion mental] in my opinion is nothing else than a close sharing between friends; it means taking time frequently to be alone with him who we know loves us."6 Contemplative prayer seeks him "whom my soul loves."7 It is Jesus, and in him, the Father. We seek him, because to desire him is always the beginning of love, and we seek him in that pure faith which causes us to be born of him and to live in him. In this inner prayer we can still meditate, but our attention is fixed on the Lord himself.
And just like the way you get to know a good friend, this takes time. So therefore…

2. We build consistency.
 
I was complaining to my spiritual director (yet again) about how I struggle to get up early and pray. It’s been my goal to do this more consistently in 2026 and 12 days in I have maybe done it 3 out of 12 days? He asked me a simple question: what time do I go to bed? And the honest truth is that many days, the allure of a silent house and the independence I feel when all my children are asleep, is more appealing than going to bed early.

But, as he reminded me, I get up early for my personal trainer on Thursdays, and I get up early for a coaching client on Mondays, and I make it on time for my appointments with him on Fridays… can’t I make it to my appointments with the Lord?

The answer is of course, yes… which leads me to the third thing to build…

3. We build identity.
 
I am a woman who starts her day with the Lord.

That’s it.

That phrase is what helped the most on the 3 days in 2026 I got up at the hour I intended. The focus on what I am gaining (time with Him who I love) as opposed to what I am “losing” (sleep) was very helpful.

And when these three things are built, falling off the horse stops being a crisis. Whether it’s missed mornings, interrupted prayer, or days derailed by diapers, tantrums, and real life- you don’t spiral or give up. You just climb back on.

Also, Anne Marie Stroud is bringing some wisdom in this note:

 
And finally…

4. We build trust.
 
Discerning ANYTHING in life requires a conversation with the Lord, and having the confidence that He will respond back. Trust is built when you hear His voice, and certainly when prayers are answered.

But it is also a trust that intimacy is forming us long before answers appear.

There is so much to the interior life that isn’t exactly revealed in real time. Intimacy with the Lord isn’t the kind of thing you just check a box on and poof it’s done. Its work is subtle and cumulative, shaping you beneath the surface long before you ever notice the change.

And this change, is entirely worth it.

In other news…

If you struggle with paralysis during discernment, you might like my most recent podcast, Discerning God’s Will Without Spiritual Paralysis.
I am so excited for this year’s Dynamic Women of Faith Conference happening March 21, 2026 in Toronto. This year’s line-up is going to be so good. I cannot wait to listen to Johnnette Benkovic LIVE! Last year, I had the joy of offering the final keynote at this conference, and I can honestly say it is beautifully executed. There is just nothing like being together in person. As a fun bonus this year… I’m hosting a table! If you have not yet purchased your conference ticket, here’s something special just for you: when you purchase your ticket and send your proof of purchase to info@lisacanning.ca, you’ll receive reserved seating at my table, and we’ll get to sit together and hang out throughout the day.

Seating at my table is first come, first served and very limited (8 spots total), and this offer is available only for new ticket purchases (purchased after January 13, 2026). This conference will very likely sell out, so grab your early bird ticket and claim your spot while you can. I would love to spend the day with you!
I have been feeling so creative lately, and I honestly I think it is in very large part due to a book I have been reading called The Artist’s Way. I write 3 pages stream of consciousness (somewhat) daily… and it is so entirely helpful.