Question on Prayer
            QUESTION from Omar on June 20, 2004

Hello Brother Ignatius:

I have a question on prayer, and would greatly appreciate your valued insight. Our church teaches us that the Rosary is the most powerful weapon of prayer. Often times though, I find that reciting the Rosary can become stagnant and repetitive, and because of this, the mind tends to wander more, and is less able to focus on the meditation.

It often feels like I can meditate on God more when I engage in a regular conversation with him, as if talking to your best friend. I was reading on what appears to be a Protestant website, that forms of meditation which consist of repeating prayers, can and do in fact become redundant, and because of this, the mind indeed tends to wander more. The site also encourages the form of prayer that I mentioned above, (regular conversations with God.)

So now, I’m somewhat troubled, because like I said, I know our Church stresses the importance of the Rosary as a powerful means of prayer, but sometimes, it does become repetitive, and a regular conversation with Our Lord feels more fruitful. How should I approach all this, knowing what I know about the importance of the Rosary, as well as knowing the importance of the other more general form of prayer??

Thanks and God Bless you and your ministry.

Omar

             ANSWER by Bro. Ignatius Mary, OLSM on June 25, 2004

Dear Omar:

Well, the first thing I would advise is to stop reading Protestant websites on prayer. The Catholic Church has 2000 of wisdom and experience in prayer in its various forms. The prayer forms used, taught, and encouraged by the Chruch are profound, ancient, and fine-tuned to their ultimate spirituality.

In addition, on prayer forms such as the Rosary, the Protestant opinion will be tainted by their bigotry against the Catholic Church on the subject of repetitive prayer.

The solution to your delimma is to read the Saints on the subject of prayer. St. Teresa of Avila, for example, speaks directly to the issue of the mind wandering during prayer (this is a VERY common occurance, by the way. We all have this happen).

What follows is a Lesson Outline from the Formation Program for Novices in the Order of the Legion of St. Michael. Maybe this will help a little.

God Bless,
Bro. Ignatius Mary

Lesson 9

OBSTACLES AND DISTRACTIONS TO PRAYER



  1. A. PURPOSE OF THIS INSTRUCTION

    To encourage a deeper prayer life by explaining factors that create a prayer battle. This is an extremely important task because these puzzling factors can hinder, discourage and even terminate one's interest in prayer and the spiritual life.

    B. WHY IS PRAYER A BATTLE?

    Prayer is a battle because it involves God's free gift of grace and our often conditioned response to this wonderful gift. It is not what Satan has in mind for us!

    1. God's gift of grace permeates both our conscious and unconscious lives which usually tend toward more worldly things.

    2. Our personal response requires a level of effort we may not care to give.


      1. A conniving self wants to live, dominate and make its own choices.


      2. Self does not want to die in order to live in humble submission to its Master.


      3. Feelings, weaknesses, involvements and a worldly oriented life discourage personal conversion.


    3. Subtle and enticing onslaughts from the devil encourage us to seek worldly pursuits and make poor choices.

    4. To be victorious, we must develop a vigilant heart that cultivates humility, trust and perseverance. For most souls, this requires a continuous effort.

    C. FAILURE TO REALIZE THAT PRAYER IS A FREE AND UNMERITED GIFT FROM GOD:


    1. 1. Spawns particular obstacles to prayer which are:



      1. concepts that reduce prayer to a psychological activity, a ritual and/or a sense that prayer is a part-time job.

      2. judgments that our prayer experience is a failure because we experience dryness, a sense of gratification is absent, or we feel our prayers are unanswered.

    2. Causes obstacles to prayer, exemplified in:


      1. Spending time allowing distractions like noises, thoughts of food, and personal problems take control of our mind, rather than really working hard to turn our heart to God.

      2. Concluding that distractions are a detrimental force impossible to overcome when they should be recognized tools the Lord may be using to reveal one's attachments to this life. They lead one to a humble awareness of what is needed to purify the heart and choose God.

    3. Conceals prominent temptations such as:


      1. Presumption and faithlessness: a half-hearted turn to God as we let daily cares and duties vie for priority.

      2. Acedia: discouragement or depression precipitated by our own negligence and careless orientation to prayer.

    D. A PROGRAM FOR VICRORY OVER THE IMPEDIMENTS TO PRAYER INCLUDES:

    1. Developing a steadfast faith and trust in God.

    2. Striving to remain and live in God's loving presence.

    3. Developing a discipline that stills an active mind and directs one's thoughts to God dwelling within, preparing one's heart for prayer.

    4. Reading and/or listening to recognized authors and speakers on matters dealing with prayer and the spiritual life.

    5. Discussing and sharing one's faith or difficulties and aids in praying with others.

    6. Seeking competent spiritual direction. (Refer Instruction Thirteen) This can help one to:


      1. discern the sources of difficulties.
      2. identify new approaches.
      3. accept the responsibility and accountability for one's prayer life.

    E. WAYS TO DEEPEN ONE'S PRAYER LIFE

    1. Petition God daily to teach you how to pray and live in patient and expectant faith.

    2. Continuously seek God's will, praying for His grace and guidance to surrender self and to live as He directs.

    3. Cling to God in faithful prayer, preserving love and humble submission as St Paul directs: "With all prayer and supplication, pray at every opportunity in the Spirit To that end, be watchful with all perseverance and supplication for all the holy ones." (Eph. 6:18)


    FOR GROUP DISCUSSION OR PRIVATE REFLECTION

    A. Ponder the obstacles and distractions to prayer that you have experienced. What have you done to overcome them?

    B. How can distractions actually help your prayer fife?

    C. Why should we seek the Giver of gifts rather than the gifts God may give in prayer?

    D. If we truly seek God's Wfll, can our prayer fail? Discuss.

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