Strictlyinkblot Posted April 1, 2015 Posted April 1, 2015 Currently I pray the rosary and the Divine Mercy chaplet. For Lent I'm listening to an audio recording of the Gospels, about fifteen minutes every day. I listen to it on my way into work. But most of my prayers throughout the day is informal speaking to God as I do my work.
BarbTherese Posted April 1, 2015 Posted April 1, 2015 " But most of my prayers throughout the day is informal speaking to God as I do my work." Just as one probably has a favourite place of prayer, one probably has a favourite type of prayer and the above would be mine and by very far. Since I think that The Church recommends at least parts of The Divine Office to all the faithful, I strive to do so and join in the public prayer of The Church. The Divine Office Hours are particularly beautiful especially the Psalms, but I have this weird experience of being entirely reluctant to go to formal prayer and the DO - and yet I am so happy once I am there. I cannot understand the weirdness of knowing I will be happy, full of Joy, once I start to pray the DO and for its entirety ........... and yet continually experience what is absolute reluctance to actually go to formal prayer. Weird creature! While in monastic life, it was the other way round for me. I looked forward eagerly to prayer times as well as being very happy to be there. For me, there is very much to be said for the support of community life - as much as it can be a cross at times.
Strictlyinkblot Posted April 1, 2015 Posted April 1, 2015 I should add that I love the Divine Office and when I worked night duty I managed to pray all seven of the offices. I'm out of the habit now and its hard to find time working 12 hour shifts.
marigold Posted April 2, 2015 Posted April 2, 2015 " But most of my prayers throughout the day is informal speaking to God as I do my work." Just as one probably has a favourite place of prayer, one probably has a favourite type of prayer and the above would be mine and by very far. Since I think that The Church recommends at least parts of The Divine Office to all the faithful, I strive to do so and join in the public prayer of The Church. The Divine Office Hours are particularly beautiful especially the Psalms, but I have this weird experience of being entirely reluctant to go to formal prayer and the DO - and yet I am so happy once I am there. I cannot understand the weirdness of knowing I will be happy, full of Joy, once I start to pray the DO and for its entirety ........... and yet continually experience what is absolute reluctance to actually go to formal prayer. Weird creature! While in monastic life, it was the other way round for me. I looked forward eagerly to prayer times as well as being very happy to be there. For me, there is very much to be said for the support of community life - as much as it can be a cross at times. BT I've never even thought to voice this experience as I thought I must be the only one who had it! For me, the services have always been work from beginning to end, fully living up to their name (the word 'liturgy' comes from a Greek word λειτουργία meaning work of the people); I have to force myself to go to Divine Liturgy every Sunday, and it often takes me all evening to work up to the compline I do alone... sometimes it feels like sweating blood. But when I look back I consider those hours the most blessed of the week. And strangely, just like you, when I lived in community it was the services which came easily; it was a pleasure to drop everything and go to church multiple times a day. It was rarely enrapturing or obviously 'consoling', but just like my daily chats are now, it was a lovely, natural part of life which I looked forward to. During those months it was my private prayer I had to sweat blood to do. At least if we are weird creatures we are weird together!
MarysLittleFlower Posted April 2, 2015 Posted April 2, 2015 Do any of you ever do contemplative prayer / prayer of the quiet? Do anyone do just personal prayer rather than rote/etc prayers? It is recommended by spiritual writers on prayer to do mental prayer what you called personal prayer.. I read its harder to be saved even without mental prayer. The books Soul of the Apostolate and Ways of Mental Prayer from TAN are good resources. So we are highly encouraged to do daily meditation which in time can turn to contemplation. As for the prayer of quiet I think if people here do this I don't think its prudent to say except to a spiritual director prayer of quiet is not synonymous with contemplation it is rather a stage of contemplation and a grace. The book Ways of Mental Prayer and Ages of the Interior Life by Fr Garrigou Lagrange describe it so does St Teresa of Avila in the Interior Castle. God bless you!
MarysLittleFlower Posted April 2, 2015 Posted April 2, 2015 I like to pray in my own words, quite often. But I sometimes worry it is better to do a different form of set prayers instead. Or that personal prayer is not as good. No personal prayer ie mental prayer is very important and I think it was St Teresa who said we actually need to do it daily I know for me I tend to get worse spiritually with out it. We don't just pray with liturgy etc which is great but we need to pray throughout the day and have time to meditate and listen to God I highly recommend those books i mentioned because there is a usual pattern in mental prayer that shows how to grow and what to do in different stages its incredibly beneficial to grow in it so that virtue is more infused eventually and there's more growth of holiness. Usually the process is - meditation, contemplation.. Contemplation stages are : acquired or infused. Acquired means you reach it through grace but with your effort too. St Teresa gives the analogy of watering a garden in different ways - the last stages are like rain. It can go from affective prayer, prayer of simplicity, prayer of quiet, simple union, ecstatic union, then transforming union. There is a growth of holiness at the same time and transforming union is sainthood. There are also passive and active purifications. Infused prayer starts at prayer of quiet I think... But prayer of quiet is not just praying without words. That can be done at prayer of simplicity. Infused prayer is characterized by a special new awareness of God within the soul and feeling His action, not only consolation. whereas before we notice more the effects of His action, not the process itself. It becomes a deeper communication. The authors describe it way better so I recommend them! St Teresa and St John of the Cross wrote much on this. St John says we must never seek experiences though or anything extraordinary just seek to love God and if you grow in prayer that's a grace because God desires it :) God bless!
Nunsense Posted April 2, 2015 Posted April 2, 2015 No personal prayer ie mental prayer is very important and I think it was St Teresa who said we actually need to do it daily I know for me I tend to get worse spiritually with out it. We don't just pray with liturgy etc which is great but we need to pray throughout the day and have time to meditate and listen to God I highly recommend those books i mentioned because there is a usual pattern in mental prayer that shows how to grow and what to do in different stages its incredibly beneficial to grow in it so that virtue is more infused eventually and there's more growth of holiness. Usually the process is - meditation, contemplation.. Contemplation stages are : acquired or infused. Acquired means you reach it through grace but with your effort too. St Teresa gives the analogy of watering a garden in different ways - the last stages are like rain. It can go from affective prayer, prayer of simplicity, prayer of quiet, simple union, ecstatic union, then transforming union. There is a growth of holiness at the same time and transforming union is sainthood. There are also passive and active purifications. Infused prayer starts at prayer of quiet I think... But prayer of quiet is not just praying without words. That can be done at prayer of simplicity. Infused prayer is characterized by a special new awareness of God within the soul and feeling His action, not only consolation. whereas before we notice more the effects of His action, not the process itself. It becomes a deeper communication. The authors describe it way better so I recommend them! St Teresa and St John of the Cross wrote much on this. St John says we must never seek experiences though or anything extraordinary just seek to love God and if you grow in prayer that's a grace because God desires it God bless! While I think it's great to read all the books on prayer, especially by those who have great depth (St John of the Cross is one of my favorites), there comes a time when prayer isn't about what other people write or say, it's about our own personal relationship with God. No two people experience prayer or a relationship with God in exactly the same way, so it can get confusing if one is looking for a particular experience such as 'acquired or infused contemplation' or 'transforming union' etc. I am not saying that these aren't real or worthy aims, just that a person may find that their own experience of prayer is one that is not written about in any books and yet is something that brings them into a close and personal relationship with God beyond all the words or descriptions. I only say this so that someone doesn't spend time trying to achieve something that God has not intended for them. He loves each of us in a personal and unique way. Read the books but then trust to God and let Him be the teacher.
sr.christinaosf Posted April 5, 2015 Posted April 5, 2015 As a Dillingen Franciscan Sister, I am supposed to pray 1/2 hour of meditation and an additional half hour of other private prayer. This is in addition to Morning, Evening, and Night Prayer from the Office. I like to use the daily scripture readings, especially the Gospel for my meditation. Another practice we have is a daily examen in the evening. For an explanation on this, please see: https://ourfranciscanfiat.wordpress.com/2015/02/20/try-it-for-lent-the-daily-examen/ Have a blessed Easter. Oh, and by the way, during Easter-time, I like to meditate on the post-resurrection appearance gospel passages when praying the rosary.
cartermia Posted April 6, 2015 Posted April 6, 2015 I like Don't know what just happened above ^^^ I like to try to pray a Chaplet of Divine Mercy (usually during class when I am not doing anything), Compline (night prayer), Stations of the Cross, meditation, and contemplation. I have recently not been able to express words or thought when I pray so I just dwell in the presence of the Lord around me. Also when I play the piano I offer that as a prayer kind of because my mind is always focused on Our Lord when I play; it always has been since I was little. I don't know if that last one counts as prayer but it moves me closer to the Lord so maybe it does...
Nunsense Posted April 6, 2015 Posted April 6, 2015 I like Don't know what just happened above ^^^ I like to try to pray a Chaplet of Divine Mercy (usually during class when I am not doing anything), Compline (night prayer), Stations of the Cross, meditation, and contemplation. I have recently not been able to express words or thought when I pray so I just dwell in the presence of the Lord around me. Also when I play the piano I offer that as a prayer kind of because my mind is always focused on Our Lord when I play; it always has been since I was little. I don't know if that last one counts as prayer but it moves me closer to the Lord so maybe it does... That sounds beautiful. Just listening to music makes me feel very close to God, so I am sure that playing the piano could be a type of prayer. After all, reading can bring us closer, so can reciting words, so why wouldn't playing or listening to music also qualify as prayer? Anything that brings us closer to God can be a form of prayer.
Swami Mommy Posted April 7, 2015 Posted April 7, 2015 I love this prayer to begin the day with: Jesus Prayer - by Cardinal John Henry Newman (1901-1990) (Recited daily after Communion, by Mother Teresa of Calcutta and her Sisters of Charity) Dear Jesus, help me to spread your fragrance wherever I go. Flood my soul with your spirit and life. Penetrate and possess my whole being so utterly that my life may only be a radiance of yours. Shine through me and be so in me that every soul I come in contact with may feel your presence in my soul. Let them look up and see no longer me, but only Jesus! Stay with me and then I will begin to shine as you shine, so to shine as to be a light to others. The light, O Jesus, will be all from you; none of it will be mine. It will be you, shining on others through me. Let me thus praise you in the way which you love best, by shining on those around me. Let me preach you without preaching, not by words but by example, by the catching force, the sympathetic influence of what I do, the evident fullness of the love my heart bears for you. Amen.
oremus1 Posted April 7, 2015 Posted April 7, 2015 I love this prayer to begin the day with: Jesus Prayer - by Cardinal John Henry Newman (1901-1990) (Recited daily after Communion, by Mother Teresa of Calcutta and her Sisters of Charity) Dear Jesus, help me to spread your fragrance wherever I go. Flood my soul with your spirit and life. Penetrate and possess my whole being so utterly that my life may only be a radiance of yours. Shine through me and be so in me that every soul I come in contact with may feel your presence in my soul. Let them look up and see no longer me, but only Jesus! Stay with me and then I will begin to shine as you shine, so to shine as to be a light to others. The light, O Jesus, will be all from you; none of it will be mine. It will be you, shining on others through me. Let me thus praise you in the way which you love best, by shining on those around me. Let me preach you without preaching, not by words but by example, by the catching force, the sympathetic influence of what I do, the evident fullness of the love my heart bears for you. Amen. wow, so beautiful!!! I am definitely going to use this!!
MarysLittleFlower Posted April 7, 2015 Posted April 7, 2015 While I think it's great to read all the books on prayer, especially by those who have great depth (St John of the Cross is one of my favorites), there comes a time when prayer isn't about what other people write or say, it's about our own personal relationship with God. No two people experience prayer or a relationship with God in exactly the same way, so it can get confusing if one is looking for a particular experience such as 'acquired or infused contemplation' or 'transforming union' etc. I am not saying that these aren't real or worthy aims, just that a person may find that their own experience of prayer is one that is not written about in any books and yet is something that brings them into a close and personal relationship with God beyond all the words or descriptions. I only say this so that someone doesn't spend time trying to achieve something that God has not intended for them. He loves each of us in a personal and unique way. Read the books but then trust to God and let Him be the teacher. I agree that people's experiences of prayer are different and not everyone has the same things happen in prayer I also don't believe in looking for experiences in prayer though sometimes there can be an attachment to that. I just brought up the books on mental prayer because they introduced me to the concept that there's much more that prayer could be than what I used to think It was a big realization to learn that over time prayer can become more about God's action in us (though we cooperate) rather than so much effort. Not that there's anything wrong with effort, since we earn merit through this and show our love for God, but eventually God begins doing more and more in our souls in whatever way He chooses. It does seem that often, though not always, He leads people according to the 3 "ages of the interior life" but still in a unique way for each person. God bless!
MarysLittleFlower Posted April 7, 2015 Posted April 7, 2015 I am not gifted with mental prayer I wouldn't say it's something that we're either gifted in or not, I think it's just something we practice and improve in over time?
John Paul Posted April 7, 2015 Posted April 7, 2015 Yes,I suppose so but I really need a rosary or book too help me.
MarysLittleFlower Posted April 7, 2015 Posted April 7, 2015 Yes,I suppose so but I really need a rosary or book too help me. That's totally fine, that is actually how mostly everyone starts meditation meditation with a book is mental prayer too. Things like contemplation come after some time in meditation usually. You usually start with meditation to look for God, once you've found Him, then you contemplate entering contemplation right away or habitually is something that comes in time... this is just my understanding from what I read!
Swami Mommy Posted April 7, 2015 Posted April 7, 2015 For me, my most powerful moments in prayer occur when I meditate by quieting my mind and resting in the empty space of interior silence. When I dissolve into the silence and BECOME the Silence, I feel a vast spaciousness that is my personal experience of God's Presence as everything and nothing.
TheresaThoma Posted April 8, 2015 Posted April 8, 2015 I am not gifted with mental prayer I'm currently reading a book called Time for God and it is about mental prayer. The author points out that there are many people who have a very difficult time with mental prayer. But he emphasizes that sticking with mental prayer even if it is dry, we lose focus and can only pray for a short periods there is much to be gained from committing to mental prayer. He also noted that mental prayer is a grace, not something we do on our own. In my own experience I find that I need to "feed" my mental prayer. I need to be reading good spiritual books, taking time with scripture or even just doing stuff outside of my routine. That can be a starting place for my mental prayer. I notice I struggle more with mental prayer if I have been slacking on my spiritual reading and just stuck in the same routine (get up, pack lunch, go to work, come home run errands). Just like any conversation I need to have something there to start with. My best moments of prayer were when I was reading and really paying attention not just going through routine. I would "tuck" ideas or events away to pray about later. That made it easier to settle into mental prayer if I had some things I wanted to talk to God about. Then I just let it go from there.
oremus1 Posted April 8, 2015 Posted April 8, 2015 you see, when one is discerning or a candidate for religious or consecrated life , people always ask the question "what is your daily prayer life" "how many rosaries a day do you pray". makes one paranoid about if they are doing it right, then one thinks more ABOUT prayer than actually praying.I struggle with chanting the office in latin. my latin pronounciation is very bad. I find it hard to chant on my own. but i would like to do this. does anyone have any tips?
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