Having trouble praying

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Hey guys. So the thread is just what the title says- I’ve been having trouble lately praying. I mean, I love the God an the Church, and I can (and do) read apologetics and about the lives of saints and other Catholicism-related things for a good part of my day. But when it’s time to actually put the rubber to the road and pray, I somehow can’t do it.

Actually I do pray, but I really prefer memorized prayers: the Our Father, Hail Mary, Apostles Creed, etc. My main problem is with personal prayers- I always feel like I’m rambling or not really saying anything meaningful. Any tips for improving with this? Are personal prayers and classic prayers equal in the eyes of God?

Thanks and Happy Pentecost.
 
It sounds like you are doing great praying. By all means say the formulized prayers, by all means ramble on during private prayers. 👍
 
I can totally relate to you. I prefer the memorized prayers too, but I also find myself rambling on to God throughout the day, telling him my thoughts, frustrations etc…I look at it like a dialogue with a friend. With a good friend, we might have moments where we don’t have anything substantial to talk about, so we just chat and enjoy eachother’s company. It might not be a particularly meaningful topic, but over time, we find that we have built a strong and mutual loving friendship. I kind of view my “ramblings” with God in that light. I can’t even fathom how much He loves us, so I imagine my ramblings mean a lot to Him. I think He likes your ramblings just as much:)
 
Evania said:
I can totally relate to you. I prefer the memorized prayers too, but I also find myself rambling on to God throughout the day, telling him my thoughts, frustrations etc…I look at it like a dialogue with a friend. With a good friend, we might have moments where we don’t have anything substantial to talk about, so we just chat and enjoy eachother’s company. It might not be a particularly meaningful topic, but over time, we find that we have built a strong and mutual loving friendship. I kind of view my “ramblings” with God in that light. I can’t even fathom how much He loves us, so I imagine my ramblings mean a lot to Him. I think He likes your ramblings just as much:)
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A wise post!
 
Wish I was doing a s well as you, sounds like you are praying perfectly:thumbsup:
 
Try talking with God, instead of only talking to God.

The ancient practice of Lectio Divina is a great method of prayer!

Start by listening to what God has to say to you (God talks to us through Sacred Scripture) by reading from the bible.

Read the same passage several times, out loud.

Pick out a key word or phrase that seems to draw you attention.

Meditate on that word or phrase, thinking on how it speaks to your situation in life.

Now talk to God about what you have meditated on (through prayer).

After prayer, empty you mind, and set back and contemplate God’s word, how it applies to you life, and experience the goodness of God through contemplation.

Peace and all good!
 
NextElement said:
Hey guys. So the thread is just what the title says- I’ve been having trouble lately praying. I mean, I love the God an the Church, and I can (and do) read apologetics and about the lives of saints and other Catholicism-related things for a good part of my day. But when it’s time to actually put the rubber to the road and pray, I somehow can’t do it.

Actually I do pray, but I really prefer memorized prayers: the Our Father, Hail Mary, Apostles Creed, etc. My main problem is with personal prayers- I always feel like I’m rambling or not really saying anything meaningful. Any tips for improving with this? Are personal prayers and classic prayers equal in the eyes of God?

Thanks and Happy Pentecost.
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Memorized prayers are fine, as long as you say them from your heart and make them your own.

St. Teresa of Avila wrote about that.

May the Lord be with you on your spiritual journey! Peace of Jesus to you!
 
Try just placing yourself in the presence of God, who dwells within, and repeat the name of Jesus.

Being in his presence with a loving gaze is the deepest form of prayer.

Jim
 
Same here when I do my private prayer it tends to be a rambling bunch of words and I think to myself will this do any good ? Will God stop listening > No I don’t think so I think he likes to hear us ramble just as much as the scripted prayers if not more since that gives him a clear connection directly to your heart … Scripted prayers are great however words right from you I feel are so much better
 
I can totally relate to you. I prefer the memorized prayers too, but I also find myself rambling on to God throughout the day, telling him my thoughts, frustrations etc…I look at it like a dialogue with a friend. With a good friend, we might have moments where we don’t have anything substantial to talk about, so we just chat and enjoy eachother’s company. It might not be a particularly meaningful topic, but over time, we find that we have built a strong and mutual loving friendship. I kind of view my “ramblings” with God in that light. I can’t even fathom how much He loves us, so I imagine my ramblings mean a lot to Him. I think He likes your ramblings just as much

I really like this view! I notice that I go thru times when I am more comfortable in personal prayer and others when I am more comfortable with “formula” prayers. I have come to accept that as how I am–“to everything there is a season.”
 
Bookcat said:
Certainly pray the Our Father (Jesus taught us this! - when asked by his disciples about prayer–and early Christians prayed it three times a day*) and the others -yes certainly (early Christians prayed the creed daily…)

A book for you frjacquesphilippe.com/book/thirsting-prayer

*scborromeo.org/ccc/para/2767.htm
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And I would recommend *lectio divina * (see for example the book there above in this post) and short prayers during the day (Jesus I love you etc) as well.

The lectio divina (praying with scripture) can help very much. For example take a short passage from St. Paul or the Gospels.

"…I urge you to become familiar with the Bible, and to have it at hand so that it can be your compass pointing out the road to follow. By reading it, you will learn to know Christ. Note what Saint Jerome said in this regard: “Ignorance of the Scriptures is ignorance of Christ” (PL 24,17; cf Dei Verbum, 25). A time-honoured way to study and savour the word of God is lectio divina which constitutes a real and veritable spiritual journey marked out in stages. After the lectio, which consists of reading and rereading a passage from Sacred Scripture and taking in the main elements, we proceed to meditatio. This is a moment of interior reflection in which the soul turns to God and tries to understand what his word is saying to us today. Then comes oratio in which we linger to talk with God directly. Finally we come to contemplatio. This helps us to keep our hearts attentive to the presence of Christ whose word is “a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts” (2 Pet 1:19). Reading, study and meditation of the Word should then flow into a life of consistent fidelity to Christ and his teachings.

Saint James tells us: “Be doers of the word, and not merely hearers who deceive themselves. For if any are hearers of the word and not doers, they are like those who look at themselves in a mirror; for they look at themselves and, on going away, immediately forget what they were like. But those who look into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and persevere, being not hearers who forget but doers who act - they will be blessed in their doing” (1:22-25). Those who listen to the word of God and refer to it always, are constructing their existence on solid foundations. “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and acts on them”, Jesus said, “will be like a wise man who built his house on rock” (Mt 7:24). It will not collapse when bad weather comes.

To build your life on Christ, to accept the word with joy and put its teachings into practice…"

–Pope Benedict XVI

forums.catholic-questions.org/showpost.php?p=11614592&postcount=7 (more quotes there).
 
The simple act of loving God, and being aware of Him, are great forms of prayer. Talk to God from within and listen carefully to your inner voices and thoughts, which often come from God. I like doing this when I’m in an empty church.

LOVE! ❤️
 
Bookcat said:
and short prayers during the day (Jesus I love you etc) as well.

.
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…very helpful and very good - is to have the practice of frequent “short prayers” during your day (and night).

Indeed --often during the day --pray little “short prayers” of love etc such is a very* ancient practice* --during our work, recreation, our daily life - to keep our heart turned towards the Lord (as one Carthusian put it).

Some might do one when ever it occurs to them…or when changing what they are doing (opening a door) etc.

Such can be used during periods of prayer in silence as well.

Such a wonderfully ancient form of prayer! One can use words from Scripture (a line from the Psalms etc) or other short prayers. They are great to help one keep the presence of God …they can be said anywhere…and frequently.

St. Augustine described the short prayers that where sort of like arrows sent forth all the time by the hermits of the desert-“darted forth” like arrows.

Some examples (one could make up ones own or use a line from the psalms etc)

Jesus

Maranatha, come Lord Jesus!

Jesus Good Shepherd, I believe in you, I hope in you, I love you

Mary, Star of Hope pray for us

Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit

Christus resurrexit!- Christ is risen

Jesus I love you

Come Holy Spirit

Blessed be God

Praised be Jesus Christ, now and forever

I believe in You. I hope in you. I love you. I adore You, O Blessed Trinity.

Blessed be the Holy Trinity

Deo Gratius

Thanks be to God!

Jesus Christ Son of God Savior

Lord Jesus (Dominus Jesus)

God come to my assistance, Lord make haste to help me
(line from Psalm and a favorite of Cassian)

Or can be without words - just a turning towards the Lord - a simple act of the will - of love.

So together with your prayers such as the all important :Lords Prayer - and some time for lectio divina -such short prayers (even without words) can be of great help.

Like sparks from a coal. Or arrows darting forth…

“It is possible to offer frequent and fervent prayer even at the market place or strolling alone. It is possible also in your place of business, while buying or selling, or even while cooking.”

(Saint John Chrysostom) (quoted in the Compendium issued by Pope Benedict XVI article 576)
 
I don’t think there is anything wrong with prayers written by someone else, particularly if they move you.

Prayer is about remembrance of the good, beautiful and true - that is: God. Sometimes we are “off the track” a bit and a prayer written by someone else might help us get realigned.
 
Thanks for all the replies! I have been praying the Divine Mercy Chaplet using my Rosary and it is AWESOME!
 
Spend 10 minutes MINIMUM every day in mental prayer, speaking to God as your Lord and Best Friend. Give him praise, adoration, and thanks; tell him you are sorry for your sins and are resolved to change; tell him all your needs and all the needs of your family and friends. Just speak with him heart to heart, and do not worry about sounding like you are rambling – He knows your heart and knows that you are conversing with him to the best of your ability. Pray aspirations and vocal prayer during your day too; they are very helpful and good. God bless you.
 
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