PrayerBeyondWords

Prayer

The topic can bring strong emotional responses; from comfort and peace to the opposite response of frustration and inner struggle. It is our desire as a community to share some of our Carmelite tradition of prayer, as well as our personal experience of attempting to pray and live a life of prayer, in the midst of everyday life. It is our hope that this site will help others on their journey to God.

Why Do We Pray

"I would never want any prayer that would not make the virtues grow within me." - St. Teresa of Avila

We pray to spend time with our Lord. In prayer we share our concerns, hopes, and fears with God and, as in any true relationship, we also learn to be quiet and listen. We still the busyness of our minds and senses so that we may be open to the presence of God. We pray to allow God’s presence and influence in our lives in order that we might become instruments for His will to be expressed.

“We dispose our heart to do the will of the Father.” - Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) 2611

Types of Prayer

Vocal:

prayers that are spoken, read, or recited; used most frequently in group settings and worship. Vocal prayer can bring a feeling of community and restate the tenants of our beliefs.

Meditation:

calming the mind and body by focusing one's attention on only one thing. Careful consideration of a passage of Scripture or reflection from a spiritual book can lead us to a greater understanding of ourselves and/or God. The Holy Spirit gives us insight as our Guide.

Contemplation:

a simple resting in the presence of God and seeking Him alone. It is considered a gift from God, since it is not a type of prayer that we can produce of our own efforts. We can, however, lay the groundwork by faithfulness to daily prayer, listening to God’s word in Scripture, and trying to live a holy life.

“It is a great help to seek Him within, where He is found more easily and in a way more beneficial to us than when sought in creatures, as St. Augustine says, after having looked for Him in many places.” - St. Teresa of Avila

“It is best to learn to silence the faculties and cause them to be still so that God may speak.” - St. John of the Cross

Deepening Prayer

It is also essential to consider prayer from another vantage point. We see prayer as something that we ourselves are doing. Consider:

“Almost always when we talk about prayer, we are thinking of something we do and, from that standpoint, questions, problems, confusion, discouragement, illusions multiply. For me, it is a fundamental importance to correct this view. Our Christian knowledge assures us that prayer is essentially what God does, how God addresses us, looks at us. It is not primarily something we are doing to God, something we are giving to God, but what God is doing for us. And what God is doing for us is giving us the divine self in love.” - Sister Ruth Burrows OCD from Essence of Prayer, 2006

Meditation

Meditation puts the “me” or one’s own thoughts, feelings, imagination, and life experience into what one is considering about God. It is not about forcing a response, but allowing and noticing the reactions, feelings, and thoughts that arise naturally in response to what one is reflecting upon.

“Mental prayer in my opinion is nothing else than an intimate sharing between friends; it means taking time frequently to be alone with Him who we know loves us.”- St. Teresa of Avila

Approaches To Meditation

Take a passage from scripture or a spiritual book that interests you.

Notice if some thought or passage appeals, speaks to, or resonates with you.
Mentally reflect on the passage or thought.
For a daily inspirational thought see • www.Hearthcake.com • www.carmelites.net • https://thelifeofprayer.wordpress.com/

Recite the Our Father silently and slowly, reflecting on the meanings and feelings evoked by this reflection.
A book that offers meditations on specific topics or passages from scripture may be prayerfully considered and used.
The practice of Lectio Divina: an ancient practice of praying with God’s word {Scripture} in order to grow in relationship to Him. There are four movements or elements to this type of prayer. For further reading on this topic: Lectio Divina and The Practice of Teresian Prayer by Fr. Sam Anthony Morello OCD, ICS Publications 1995 or see Lectio_Divinapamphlet.pdf
Read in Scripture an event from Christ’s life and/or teaching, then mentally picture yourself present there with Him.

Note:

If the mind or body becomes restless, return to the prayer word, book, or passage until the selected meditation time has ended.
It is best to begin slowly, perhaps five to ten minutes, until one becomes comfortable with the practice. Then add five to ten minute intervals until thirty minutes total time is reached. Additional prayer time can be added as one’s lifestyle and comfort with the practice allows.

Contemplation

“I’m not asking ... that you draw out a lot of concepts or make long and subtle reflections with your intellect. I’m not asking you to do anything more than look at Him.”- St. Teresa of Avila

At some point, one may feel drawn to just remain in God’s presence in silence. Here silence is not merely an absence of words or a struggle to suspend thoughts but a loving awareness or attentiveness to God’s presence. Remain in this silence without forcing it to prolong and without attaching your mind to any feeling or thoughts that emerge. We keep our heart’s desire one of being receptive to him.

“. . . for the language He best hears is silent love.”- St. John of the Cross

Contemplation is considered a gift from God since it is not a type of prayer that we can produce of our own efforts. We can, however, lay the groundwork by faithfulness to daily prayer, listening to God’s word in Scripture, and trying to live a holy life.

Summary

The best way to become a person of prayer is simply to pray. Do not be afraid of prayer, for a loving God puts this desire within us. He (the Holy Spirit) will direct one’s prayer, even without our awareness.

“God tirelessly calls each person to that mysterious encounter known as prayer.”- CCC 2567

Often this type of prayer can become difficult or feel as though it is a waste of time. Continue to be faithful to the prayer time during these periods of dryness and struggle. They are to be expected, not feared.

“Never give up on prayer and should you find dryness and difficulty, persevere in it for this very reason. God often desires to see what love your soul has, and love is not tried by ease and satisfaction.” - St. John of the Cross

“ The more you feel your weakness, your difficulty in being recollected, the more the Master seems to hide Himself, the more you should rejoice, for then you are giving Him something, and is it not better to give than to receive, when one loves?” - St Elizabeth of the Trinity

Refrain from the temptation to judge the quality or value of your efforts at prayer. If we judge our prayer experience as “good” or “bad”, we are again making the prayer about ourselves and not God.