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Discerning Growth in Prayer
Gauging our one spiritual development in prayer is not simple and clear out.
“Many individuals think they are not praying, when, indeed their prayer is intense. Others place high value on their prayer, while it is little more than nonexistent.” (A Pologue No.6 Pge.72)
-There are those who are scarcely beginning and yet think they are far advanced. We tend to think that good intentions and pious feelings are automatic indicators that God has his finger on their enterprise.
-Individuals claim they are “listening to the spirit” as if it were the most obvious thing in the world and that every prompting is truly from the spirit. Many assume that without a doubt that their wishes and desires and thoughts could really have only one orgin, God Himself. St. Teresa knew better. An apparently worthwhile experience can have several possible and diverse causes: divine, merely human, demonic. It is important not to take for granted that every idea is from God. Or that a disinclination to undertake a certain task or lifestyle is from God. Ignatius speaks of the devil disguising himself as an “angel of light.”
Teresa was very realistic in her observations. There is a vast difference between thinking holy thoughts and engaging in pious conversation on the one hand and living a virtuous life on the other. We ought not to imagine that we have achieved notable progress simply because we are capable of lofty sentiments, but virtuous works that flow from these sentiments. Too many people assume without question that their inner experience are sound indicators of progress or decline in prayer, nor do they doubt that their interpretations of these experiences are sound.
Signs of Authentic Prayer
"From their fruits, you shall know them." (Mt.7:2)
St. Teresa’s basic principle is solid: “It is by the effects of this prayer and the actions which follow it that the genuineness of the experience must be tested.” (p.238, Fire Within)
Principles for a Deepening Prayer Life
Living, as we do, in a consumerist age that looks to technology to solve most of its problems, we will, unless immersed in a serious prayer life ourselves, assume as obvious that prayer is mainly something produced in human manner. Methods of prayer if looked at in this manner block real prayer growth.
What we find in St. Teresa and St. John of the Cross and Scripture is a very different message.
What are the principles for a prayer life to deepen according to St. Teresa?
Gauging our one spiritual development in prayer is not simple and clear out.
“Many individuals think they are not praying, when, indeed their prayer is intense. Others place high value on their prayer, while it is little more than nonexistent.” (A Pologue No.6 Pge.72)
-There are those who are scarcely beginning and yet think they are far advanced. We tend to think that good intentions and pious feelings are automatic indicators that God has his finger on their enterprise.
-Individuals claim they are “listening to the spirit” as if it were the most obvious thing in the world and that every prompting is truly from the spirit. Many assume that without a doubt that their wishes and desires and thoughts could really have only one orgin, God Himself. St. Teresa knew better. An apparently worthwhile experience can have several possible and diverse causes: divine, merely human, demonic. It is important not to take for granted that every idea is from God. Or that a disinclination to undertake a certain task or lifestyle is from God. Ignatius speaks of the devil disguising himself as an “angel of light.”
Teresa was very realistic in her observations. There is a vast difference between thinking holy thoughts and engaging in pious conversation on the one hand and living a virtuous life on the other. We ought not to imagine that we have achieved notable progress simply because we are capable of lofty sentiments, but virtuous works that flow from these sentiments. Too many people assume without question that their inner experience are sound indicators of progress or decline in prayer, nor do they doubt that their interpretations of these experiences are sound.
Signs of Authentic Prayer
"From their fruits, you shall know them." (Mt.7:2)
St. Teresa’s basic principle is solid: “It is by the effects of this prayer and the actions which follow it that the genuineness of the experience must be tested.” (p.238, Fire Within)
- The overall sign is totality, a complete generosity in giving God everything.
- Obedienceis an especially revealing criterion of authenticity for two reasons. It empties us of egocentrism. Proud, self-centered people presume to know better than anyone in higher authority. Obedience leaves little room for rationalizing reality to fit our self-will.
- Pull toward healthy solitude.
- Acceptance and desire for suffering.
- Prayerful people are receptive and docile…they have an openness to the truth.
- Deep desire to avoid all sin.
Principles for a Deepening Prayer Life
Living, as we do, in a consumerist age that looks to technology to solve most of its problems, we will, unless immersed in a serious prayer life ourselves, assume as obvious that prayer is mainly something produced in human manner. Methods of prayer if looked at in this manner block real prayer growth.
What we find in St. Teresa and St. John of the Cross and Scripture is a very different message.
What are the principles for a prayer life to deepen according to St. Teresa?
- The primary need for those beginning in their prayer life is to do God’s will from moment to moment throughout the day. "It is the person who lives in more perfect conformity who will receive more from the Lord and more advanced on the road of prayer.
- Growth in prayer does not depend on a person’s immediate situation. We tend to think that if only we could find the ideal community, if we had a different set of associations, or live in a different place our prayer would be better. God can grant his grace to those who truly serve him.
- Growth in prayer does not mean we merely fulfill the commandments but also that we generously go beyond what is strictly required. This is an act of love. Unstinting generosity is so crucial for prayer growth. There is no better test than this to know whether or not we are growing in prayer and union with God.
- There is no prayer development unless it is accompanied bu purification from our faults and our sins. Only the pure can be close to the “all pure” one.
- God gives prayer growth precisely according as we are more or less receptive. Growth is determined first of all by readiness adn generosity. When these are present in a high degree the Lord gives much in a short time.
- Regression in our prayer is possible. When we meet trials and sufferings, we search to escape them by returning to our wordly compensation and pleasures, and petty selfishness.
- Prayer development has one key personality trait: Determination. We will grow in our prayer life if we are dedicated to the hard and perserving decision to live like saints with no corner cutting.