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uwwhitewater84
Guest
Sometimes this happens to me. I work in education and with young people and sometimes the days can be so long and frustrating, that I’m frazzled when I get home, say my nightly prayers, and go to bed.
When this happens, I usually just take a few moments to step back, gather thoughts, and try again. Sometimes I even say “O Heavenly Father, I’m stumbling here aren’t I?” and from then on the words I want to say to God just come right out and it ends up being a very uplifting end to my day.
You might also before you go to bed, read a little bit of the Bible. I usually find a passage that relates to my day and meditate on that. Or maybe you might want to think about the things you want to say to God that night and go from there.
This is just an idea, but do you have a prayer pattern? For me it is usually: 1.) Asking forgiveness for my sins of the day, 2.) Thanking God for all my blessings…seen and unseen, realized and unrealized, past blessings and those that are yet to come, 3.) Prayers for family members or friends who are having a rough time, etc… and, 4.) End with “Our Father” and an Amen.
If all else fails, just take quiet moments to put your self in His presence, and even if no words come out, just being in His presence is just as good. Sometimes we say more when we say nothing at all…
When this happens, I usually just take a few moments to step back, gather thoughts, and try again. Sometimes I even say “O Heavenly Father, I’m stumbling here aren’t I?” and from then on the words I want to say to God just come right out and it ends up being a very uplifting end to my day.
You might also before you go to bed, read a little bit of the Bible. I usually find a passage that relates to my day and meditate on that. Or maybe you might want to think about the things you want to say to God that night and go from there.
This is just an idea, but do you have a prayer pattern? For me it is usually: 1.) Asking forgiveness for my sins of the day, 2.) Thanking God for all my blessings…seen and unseen, realized and unrealized, past blessings and those that are yet to come, 3.) Prayers for family members or friends who are having a rough time, etc… and, 4.) End with “Our Father” and an Amen.
If all else fails, just take quiet moments to put your self in His presence, and even if no words come out, just being in His presence is just as good. Sometimes we say more when we say nothing at all…
S
St_Gabriel
Guest
I like the Divine Mercy Chaplet too. Do you have a place where you can go for Eurcharistic Adoration nearby your work? I used to go to a chapel during my lunch break which was 10 minutes away. I found the time very profitable, even though it was only a few minutes each day. It gave me strength to continue the day’s challenges.Well, here’s my big question…
I pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet every night when I get in bed for the souls in purgatory. (I know, I know, don’t wait until bedtime but that’s really the only quiet time I get to actually THINK). Anyways, do my prayers really do the souls in purgatory any good when I keep getting distracted or worse, fall asleep? (like last night, I just realized today I need to go in and hunt for the rosary because I must’ve dropped it in my sleep.
…).
Or are my prayers wasted for their benefit?
The nice thing about the chapel that I went to was that there were all sorts of books to read and meditations to get me started. A lot of people would share the books and take some home to help them. A few minutes everyday and then I noticed my prayer life flourished as well as my relationship with Christ which prepared me for the mass. I read that the mass is the highest form of prayer and so we can offer up masses for the poor souls.
A
Auntie_A
Guest
Here’s a simple idea. You don’t need to read a book or take a workshop. Get some paper and a pencil, pen, crayon, chalk, or watercolor brush and write out slowly the words to a prayer you say often: The Lord’s Prayer, Hail Mary, Hail Holy Queen, etc. Write them as if they had just been spoken for the first time, your memory is excellent, and you want to preserve these prayers for future generations. Let me know how it goes for you.
I have a mercury mind stuffed with chattering monkeys and no amount of centering prayer classes or retreats have helped me as much as the above idea.
I have a mercury mind stuffed with chattering monkeys and no amount of centering prayer classes or retreats have helped me as much as the above idea.
M
masondoggy
Guest
There is a chapel less than 10 minutes from my house. I go there about once a week, but due to gas prices I just can’t afford to go very often. I do love to go, though. It’s nice to have some silence with my Lord.
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DrPiano
Guest
I did something similar when I had trouble concentrating in prayer (and I still do it sometimes). I write out my prayers to God like a letter. I actually keep journals of them now. It does 2 things for me - it helps me concentrate (because I concentrate better when I’m writing) and it helps me remember what I’ve prayed for in the past so that I can see what prayers have been answered. I’ve only done it for spontaneous prayers, but I really like this idea too.
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water
Guest
I did write journals one time then I got lazy.I did something similar when I had trouble concentrating in prayer (and I still do it sometimes). I write out my prayers to God like a letter. I actually keep journals of them now. It does 2 things for me - it helps me concentrate (because I concentrate better when I’m writing) and it helps me remember what I’ve prayed for in the past so that I can see what prayers have been answered. I’ve only done it for spontaneous prayers, but I really like this idea too.
but my journals was mainly pictures instead of words.Speaking of journal, have you ever come across the diary of Saint Faustina? - Her trust in Jesus’ Mercy was just so amazing.
D
DrPiano
Guest
I’ve heard of it, but I’m just starting to seek out stuff like that. I might look into it sometime when I have a chance.I did write journals one time then I got lazy.
Speaking of journal, have you ever come across the diary of Saint Faustina? - Her trust in Jesus’ Mercy was just so amazing.
M
mjdvike
Guest
Lectio Divina is a a very old method of prayer. It has nothing to do with Eastern (non-Christian) religions.
St. Benedict taught Lectio to his monks - and it was the ‘method’ of prayer outside of the Hours and devotional prayers. This is what is referred to in the Rule of St Benedict as the ‘reading’ to be done by the monks privately. Those monks did not have private books for reading (in the sense of a written book). By the way, the monks were not clerics - they were lay people.
Devotional prayers are not liturgical - they include the Rosary, Divine Mercy chaplet, etc. The liturgical prayers of the Church are the Holy Eucharist, the Liturgy of the Hours (of which Christian Prayer is the shorter version, which is what I use), plus other liturgies such as Eucharistic Adoration.
Devotional prayer is private - and is never to be used during the liturgical rituals. [No rosary said during Mass!!!]
Centering Prayer is a way of meditating…
Lectio Divina - as explained by St. John of the Cross - has four stages (parahrasing Luke 11:9) and he taught that it is:
Seek in READING,
and you will find in MEDITATION,
knock in PRAYER
and it will be opened to you
in CONTEMPLATION.
St John Cassian is the basis of the complete method of Centering Prayer, Christian Meditation and Lectio Divina.
John Main, O.B., learned about meditation initially from some non-Christian sources. Under obedience he stopped practicing because his superior thought it was non-Christian. However, after several years, the teachings of John Cassian on precisely how to pray meditatively revealed that it NOT non-Christian.
[My point here is that just because there might be a way of doing something that is practiced by non-Christians does not mean that we are not to do it. For example, non-Christians kneel - are we to stop kneeling in adoration because of that?]
Meditation and contemplation were out of the mainstream of Catholic teaching for several centuries thru the infantilaziation of the laity - we were taught that contemplation was only for ‘special people’ such as the saints.
Lectio Divina is an excellent way of ‘reading’ Scripture to internalize it [not ‘intellectual’ knowledge but ‘heart’ knowledge]
Initial way: Reading. A passage of Scripture is READ slowly until one phrase or word seems to be important to us at that moment. We think about it - what it means to us - how it applies to our situation, etc. This part of Lectio Divina can be used for days, weeks, months or years! It depends on the person - and the growth - and the desire.
At some point, the person may be drawn by his spiritual desire to go deeper. Then MEDITATION can become the focus. Repeating the word/phrase, one tries to calm the intellect/mind and only pay attention to that phrase.
As one’s spirit is further drawn, one starts to ‘wordlessly’ PRAY - focused on the Lord, his goodness and love.
Eventually, CONTEMPLATION may or may not occur.
None of this can be forced. It can only occur if one is relaxed, open, alert. Which is why how one prays is important (a comfortable position what assures we are NOT going to fall asleep and does not cause physical discomfort which can lead to loss of focus). I pray seated on a pew, feet flat on the floor, hand open on lap. But this is an individual choice. I prefer my eyes closed so I am not distracted by what I see with my eyes - as I want to see with the eyes of my soul.
The point is not how HOLY one becomes, or how far one gets in this method of prayer.
The whole purpose is to love God and to awaken in ourselves the Spirit of the Lord that He has given to all those who have faith in Him (the Holy Spirit He gave us in the Sacraments and Who resides in us). He is always there - we just close the communication with Him.
I have heard some supposedly knowledgeable Catholics express the whole transcenedental meditation argument - saying that meditation opens us to evil spirits. There have been people teaching TM - but to say that meditation, centering prayer, etc. is from the devil is total hogwash. Keeping people from experiencing the presence and love of the Lord thru the same prayer style that I am sure He used while on earth is to block His people from union with Him.
In our parish we have Christian Meditation in one of our church chapels weekly. Approved by our bishop and pastor. It is attended by persons who have have gone thru several years of advanced instruction in the true Catholic faith through Diocesan Formation. As a matter of fact, there are nuns as well as Church-certified spirtual directors who participate.
PEACE!
St. Benedict taught Lectio to his monks - and it was the ‘method’ of prayer outside of the Hours and devotional prayers. This is what is referred to in the Rule of St Benedict as the ‘reading’ to be done by the monks privately. Those monks did not have private books for reading (in the sense of a written book). By the way, the monks were not clerics - they were lay people.
Devotional prayers are not liturgical - they include the Rosary, Divine Mercy chaplet, etc. The liturgical prayers of the Church are the Holy Eucharist, the Liturgy of the Hours (of which Christian Prayer is the shorter version, which is what I use), plus other liturgies such as Eucharistic Adoration.
Devotional prayer is private - and is never to be used during the liturgical rituals. [No rosary said during Mass!!!]
Centering Prayer is a way of meditating…
Lectio Divina - as explained by St. John of the Cross - has four stages (parahrasing Luke 11:9) and he taught that it is:
Seek in READING,
and you will find in MEDITATION,
knock in PRAYER
and it will be opened to you
in CONTEMPLATION.
St John Cassian is the basis of the complete method of Centering Prayer, Christian Meditation and Lectio Divina.
John Main, O.B., learned about meditation initially from some non-Christian sources. Under obedience he stopped practicing because his superior thought it was non-Christian. However, after several years, the teachings of John Cassian on precisely how to pray meditatively revealed that it NOT non-Christian.
[My point here is that just because there might be a way of doing something that is practiced by non-Christians does not mean that we are not to do it. For example, non-Christians kneel - are we to stop kneeling in adoration because of that?]
Meditation and contemplation were out of the mainstream of Catholic teaching for several centuries thru the infantilaziation of the laity - we were taught that contemplation was only for ‘special people’ such as the saints.
Lectio Divina is an excellent way of ‘reading’ Scripture to internalize it [not ‘intellectual’ knowledge but ‘heart’ knowledge]
Initial way: Reading. A passage of Scripture is READ slowly until one phrase or word seems to be important to us at that moment. We think about it - what it means to us - how it applies to our situation, etc. This part of Lectio Divina can be used for days, weeks, months or years! It depends on the person - and the growth - and the desire.
At some point, the person may be drawn by his spiritual desire to go deeper. Then MEDITATION can become the focus. Repeating the word/phrase, one tries to calm the intellect/mind and only pay attention to that phrase.
As one’s spirit is further drawn, one starts to ‘wordlessly’ PRAY - focused on the Lord, his goodness and love.
Eventually, CONTEMPLATION may or may not occur.
None of this can be forced. It can only occur if one is relaxed, open, alert. Which is why how one prays is important (a comfortable position what assures we are NOT going to fall asleep and does not cause physical discomfort which can lead to loss of focus). I pray seated on a pew, feet flat on the floor, hand open on lap. But this is an individual choice. I prefer my eyes closed so I am not distracted by what I see with my eyes - as I want to see with the eyes of my soul.
The point is not how HOLY one becomes, or how far one gets in this method of prayer.
The whole purpose is to love God and to awaken in ourselves the Spirit of the Lord that He has given to all those who have faith in Him (the Holy Spirit He gave us in the Sacraments and Who resides in us). He is always there - we just close the communication with Him.
I have heard some supposedly knowledgeable Catholics express the whole transcenedental meditation argument - saying that meditation opens us to evil spirits. There have been people teaching TM - but to say that meditation, centering prayer, etc. is from the devil is total hogwash. Keeping people from experiencing the presence and love of the Lord thru the same prayer style that I am sure He used while on earth is to block His people from union with Him.
In our parish we have Christian Meditation in one of our church chapels weekly. Approved by our bishop and pastor. It is attended by persons who have have gone thru several years of advanced instruction in the true Catholic faith through Diocesan Formation. As a matter of fact, there are nuns as well as Church-certified spirtual directors who participate.
PEACE!
J
JimR-OCDS
Guest
S
St_Gabriel
Guest
Here’s a really short prayer. It comes from the Pieta and it has some indulgences with it.
Jesus, Mary and Joseph save souls!
That’s it!
The nice bit, is that you can say it anytime of the day, as many times as you like. I doubt you’ll fall asleep.
Jesus, Mary and Joseph save souls!
That’s it!
The nice bit, is that you can say it anytime of the day, as many times as you like. I doubt you’ll fall asleep.
M
masondoggy
Guest
I’m reading it for the second time right now. This time I’m reading it very slowly and taking my good old time. It’s really inspiring and really makes me feel like I’m “getting to know” Jesus. It’s so awesome to hear what He has to say in our own day and age.I did write journals one time then I got lazy.
Speaking of journal, have you ever come across the diary of Saint Faustina? - Her trust in Jesus’ Mercy was just so amazing.
M
mjdvike
Guest
Suggestion to those struggling with prayer.
(1) Make prayer a priority in your life - even if only for 15 minutes in the morning and evening. Make prayer a priority over the newspaper, surfing the net or reading books.
(2) Just sit silently and concentrate on a passage of Scripture. Just think about it. Don’t worry if your mind wanders - just come back to the passage when you realize you are distracted.
(3) Do not fret - relax (staying alert - don’t let yourself get so relaxed you fall asleep).
(4) If you cannot do this, you can write in a journal.
(5) Set a timer - that way you don’t need to worry about the time element.
Reading any books (no matter how religious), the newspaper, surfing the net (even if it is this forum) are not as important in my life as the time I spend in prayer.
Monks stopped working to pray. St Meinrad Monastery had a fire many years ago. The monks formed a water bucket line to try to put out the fire. The bells sounded calling the monks to prayer. Half went to ‘say the Hours’ while the others stayed in the water brigade. The monastery burned to the ground - and they have always been sure they did the right thing.
Prayer has to be that important in my life. Reducing my TV watching or any of all those other ‘important’ activities for which I seem to have time in my day are not as important as the time for daily Mass, praying the Hours, and meditating.
Amazing how much time I have found in my day once I decided to prioritize according to His timetable!
PEACE
(1) Make prayer a priority in your life - even if only for 15 minutes in the morning and evening. Make prayer a priority over the newspaper, surfing the net or reading books.
(2) Just sit silently and concentrate on a passage of Scripture. Just think about it. Don’t worry if your mind wanders - just come back to the passage when you realize you are distracted.
(3) Do not fret - relax (staying alert - don’t let yourself get so relaxed you fall asleep).
(4) If you cannot do this, you can write in a journal.
(5) Set a timer - that way you don’t need to worry about the time element.
Reading any books (no matter how religious), the newspaper, surfing the net (even if it is this forum) are not as important in my life as the time I spend in prayer.
Monks stopped working to pray. St Meinrad Monastery had a fire many years ago. The monks formed a water bucket line to try to put out the fire. The bells sounded calling the monks to prayer. Half went to ‘say the Hours’ while the others stayed in the water brigade. The monastery burned to the ground - and they have always been sure they did the right thing.
Prayer has to be that important in my life. Reducing my TV watching or any of all those other ‘important’ activities for which I seem to have time in my day are not as important as the time for daily Mass, praying the Hours, and meditating.
Amazing how much time I have found in my day once I decided to prioritize according to His timetable!
PEACE
J
JimR-OCDS
Guest
Our focus during prayer isn’t the words of the prayers we’re reciting, but rather, the presence of Christ, within us.
The Rosary, just as the Chaplet of Divine mercy or the Jesus Prayer, are repeated over and over again, to the point that the words become as effortless as shifting into drive on your car.
At that point, the mysteries of the Gospels, then become our meditation, but eventually we are moved to the next level, where we experience the presence of Christ within. Here, we rest in his presence and embrace the exchange of love. At this point, it doesn’t matter if you have stopped reciting your prayers, just rest in his presence. Once you become aware that you are distracted by thoughts outside of prayer, return to your recitation of prayers, i.e. Hail Mary, etc. Eventually, you will find yourself at the end of your prayers. The point is your intention of will. The prayers being recited keep our intention of will, towards Christ.
The thing to remember, be gentle with it, don’t work aggressively or become anxious about it. When you find yourself distracted, just gently return to the prayer. We are opening ourselves to contemplation, and it time, Christ will bring you there. But you have to pray for it to happen.
In His Love
Jim
The Rosary, just as the Chaplet of Divine mercy or the Jesus Prayer, are repeated over and over again, to the point that the words become as effortless as shifting into drive on your car.
At that point, the mysteries of the Gospels, then become our meditation, but eventually we are moved to the next level, where we experience the presence of Christ within. Here, we rest in his presence and embrace the exchange of love. At this point, it doesn’t matter if you have stopped reciting your prayers, just rest in his presence. Once you become aware that you are distracted by thoughts outside of prayer, return to your recitation of prayers, i.e. Hail Mary, etc. Eventually, you will find yourself at the end of your prayers. The point is your intention of will. The prayers being recited keep our intention of will, towards Christ.
The thing to remember, be gentle with it, don’t work aggressively or become anxious about it. When you find yourself distracted, just gently return to the prayer. We are opening ourselves to contemplation, and it time, Christ will bring you there. But you have to pray for it to happen.
In His Love
Jim
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Bennie_P
Guest
J
JimR-OCDS
Guest
I refuse to get into your mindless debates over this.
There is nothing conducive toward prayer and spiritual growth in it.
Jim
D
DJgang
Guest
The Priest last night, said in his Homily, that prayer is of the will. Don’t worry about length, if the words are right, etc. if prayer is the will of your heart, it is pleasing to God.
I think he’s right.
I think he’s right.
D
deekod1967
Guest
Having read Dubay’s Prayer Primer & Fire Within and read some of the views of Keating on the web, I was also skeptical about Fr. Keating’s works, but I decided this man is worthy of my own scrutiny. In Open Mind Open Heart he does refer to Zen Writings which worried me at first, for example he cites Zen teaching “develop a mind that does not cling to anything” OMOH p69, but its strikes me that this tradition is not against the Christian Ascetic tradition that he cites elsewhere in the same book “Prayer… … is the laying aside of thoughts” (Evagrius, De Oratione 70) OMOH, p 12.
This then begs the question - what was Keating’s motive when citing Eastern references, when there is sufficient Christian tradition he could have used?
p176 of OMOH confirms what Jim has been saying, here keating explains that Lectio Divina is “a traditional way of cultivating friendship with Christ… as if we were in conversation with Christ and He were suggesting the topics”. I agree with Jim, Keating sees CP as a modern day development of Lectio Divina. He does not say that CP is rooted in Eastern religion.
So the question remains, if CP is not rooted in the Eastern religions - why make the Eastern Religion references? I now go back to a previous post by Jim where he stated…
In the above the reason why … Keating wanted to show young people that they dont need to go to other religions to be “at one with God” through deep contemplation - the One True Faith has it all.
In a nutshell, Keating refers to Eastern religion only to show that many aspects of its approach are contained within the Christian mystic traditions - and the reason why he does this is to encourage people to stay in the Catholic Church and stop them from becoming New Age or Zen Bhuddists.
I therefore firmly support everything Jim has been saying and am delighted to confirm that CP has helped me become open to God so much more than any other prayer, and continues to change my life immeasurably for the better.
Like JIm, I would also urge Bennie P to read some of Keating’s works for himself rather than rely on people on the web who can err on the side of caution as soon as anyone mentions “Centering Prayer”.
CP is Catholic Tradition! - SHOCK HORROR!
Yours,
Derek.
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