Difficult in Prayer

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JamalChristophr

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Do you ever feel you are doing something wrong in prayer? Sometimes, I think, I must not listening properly, because either God is not speaking to me the way I would expect him too or he not speaking to me at all. Or I am thinking, speaking too much that he can’t speak.

Maybe I expect him to speak in such a way that it is just not how He speaks to a soul at prayer? What are your thoughts? Any advice? Do you also have this same problem?
 
You do have to take your time. Are you in the state of grace? Are you distracted? in a place of silence? Are you focusing?

Giving enough time to let Him speak? That’s something I gotta work on especially (and of course all of them).
 
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Most of the time during prayer God fills me with peace, and consolation not words. Later, I may feel an answer from God when I’m doing something else.

Sometimes the consolation is the answer in itself.
 
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Hm? When we pray isn’t it us speaking to God? Why would you expect Him to speak back? He is listening.
I read that one sign we are not praying right is if our mind wanders in thoughts other than the prayer. But just the quietness I never heard of it being a bad sign.
Oh asking Him for answers like in questions … I do imagine it’s within His right to not answer anything He does not think we need answered directly. In the Bible if you see only prophets could actually talk with God so it is very rare. And Holy Fathers advise us that even if we hear a strange answer that seems from God we must always be prepared for the fact that it may be the enemy. So searching for unusual messages directly from God is not encouraged by the Church for this same reason.
What if you are praying right and the enemy disquiets you so you can doubt yourself even when you’ve done nothing wrong? Probably reaching for your pride, his favorite sin of ours. Nothing unusual is always considered a good sign.
As long as you can pray, not feel sick during it or being unable to concentrate, you’re alright.
 
There are many treasures in the desert if you are docile to the movements of the Holy Spirit. Aridity in prayer is an opportunity to advance, degree by degree, in prayer.

Peace
 
Don’t worry…when you think you’re not doing something right…say “Lord, am I not doing something right…teach me to pray”.

Stick to your plan for prayer…10m, 15m, 20m, fixed time of the day as best as you can. Bring some reading material to ‘spur you on’…and sometimes simply repeat an aspiration until the time is over, with the abandonment of a child…'Lord, I am sure of You…Lord, I am sure of You…teach me to be a good son/daughter…help me more"
 
In my own experience, prayer has been difficult at times for sure. I think everyone would admit to this. Father Timothy Gallagher responds to this in his series on You Tube on Ignatian spirituality, referring to such episodes as “periods of desolation”, or simply a dryness in our prayer life. You can find them here;

What I have found works for me is not to expect a scheduled prayer time to be the best answer. This will not be for everyone, but I notice when I’m out walking or riding my bike on the river trails that prayer comes much more easily. Really, anything that requires very little focus and leaves the mind free will work. I liken my practice in this to something Bishop Robert Barron said about praying the Rosary. He said it can be like clearing the deadwood out of our minds and allowing a closer connection with God. The prayer, in one sense, is like the focus vs distractions I mentioned. With practice it becomes a way to occupy the mind without letting outside interference work its way in.

Something else another poster mentioned is also helpful for me. I think of prayer as conversation between myself and God. And when I’m wheeling along freely, having these chats in my mind, it amazes me how often an answer will appear to something I need to know. But the times of emptiness are also beneficial. They remind us that we are quite limited both in our understanding and our ability to be a part of the spiritual home we seek but must yet wait for. I hope this is some way helpful for you. -CW
 
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If you desire to have effective prayer. Fillow saint pauls suggestions.
And the results are in 1cor.14:25-26.
That you share with belivers
 
Yeah, sometimes I experience blockages in prayer. I think a problem comes in when I’m not behaving in a humble manner. Instead of asking Him “Lord, should I do A and B?”, I ask “Please bless me in my effort to do A and B”.

Do you see the difference? in one instance, I’m asking if I should do something, whereas in the other instance, I’m making the decision to do something regardless of what God says to me. You have to be willing to take the Lord’s hand wherever He may lead you. Sometimes He’ll lead you into places you would rather avoid, but know that He’s got your back, regardless of where He has you.
 
JamalChristophr said:
Do you ever feel you are doing something wrong in prayer?
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Yes. I feel guilty for asking for things. Treating God like a servant. “oh Lord and another thing…could you please help me find another source of income this year?” It’s all about “me” prayer.
 
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I am a bear. I fumble and bumble when I pray. I’d like to achieve ecstatic heights in prayer and levitate like St. Gemma Galgani, but let’s be realistic. I’m just a bear.

I don’t expect answers most of the time. I dont mind if God just says “mm-hmm” a lot as long as I don’t get a busy signal on the other end.

I’ve always (for about 40 years) liked this song.

 
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Its interesting to pray as in romans 8:26
Let the holy spirit pray thru you.
 
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