Pray Without Ceasing?

  • Thread starter Thread starter KittyKat33
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
The catechism is divided into four parts and the entire fourth part is about prayer. 😉

The church herself prays without ceasing, each member of the clergy and many faithful pray the Liturgy of the Hours seven times each day. Somewhere a Mass is being offered right now. The Liturgy of the Hours is a great way to begin to pray without ceasing.

Keeping God in mind throughout the day is one way to begin to pray without ceasing. Brother Lawrence describes this in his letters collected into the book, “Practice of the Presence of God.”

An excellent book on the topic geared toward Benedictine spirituality is “Praying with Benedict” by Korneel Vermeiren.

bks2.books.google.co.uk/books?id=2h7qAAAACAAJ&printsec=frontcover&img=1&zoom=1&imgtk=AFLRE73SFGriMONM5O0rkIOChP1a32lpoLPMp7xTMrEx_3imcMHPkzTRw-WP6nqt6nRTpax9G90WkjdmlPcDJI5kyFX2jGiRcIK-JypHUZUt8ru1Sn7vPm6flpMwZqhJ-MeO4lTpsO0a

-Tim-
 
In my mind, it could only mean what St. Teresa of Avila described as Mansion VII in the “Interior Castle”. Unceasing prayer realistically can only be accomplished in a state of transforming union. Praying without ceasing is the domain of saints in heaven and very few can attain to it on earth, but we are all called to it.
 
dusza said:
In my mind, it could only mean what St. Teresa of Avila described as Mansion VII in the “Interior Castle”. Unceasing prayer realistically can only be accomplished in a state of transforming union. Praying without ceasing is the domain of saints in heaven and very few can attain to it on earth, but we are all called to it.
Click to expand...
It takes practice, but being in almost constant conversation with God is possible. It is a gift which will be given if we try. All we have to do is make the effort to remember God throughout the day.

-Tim-
 
TimothyH said:
It takes practice, but being in almost constant conversation with God is possible. It is a gift which will be given if we try. All we have to do is make the effort to remember God throughout the day.

-Tim-
Click to expand...
Constant conversation is generally referred to as discursive prayer and it is a lower form of prayer. Since you called it a gift I assume you meant mystical contemplation. It’s something that we can be pre-disposed to through practice, but cannot attain through our own efforts or methods. The ability to be in constant state of contemplation (transforming union) is what I was referring to. Constant conversation with God is not possible while doing normal daily tasks, including conversations with others. Mystical prayer is. Our Lady was in constant transforming union with God (edit: while still on earth).

There are talks on levels of prayer on Sensustraditionis.org, in my signature.
 
The Way of a Pilgrim is a great book. It takes its premise from this precise passage and narrates a story about a pilgrim in a quest to learn how to pray without ceasing. Wonderful story.

The Practice of the Presence of God by Brother Lawrence is also a great read on how to be constantly aware of God’s presence in our lives.

Both great books about how to make our lives a continuous prayer.

Peace,
 
dusza said:
Constant conversation is generally referred to as discursive prayer and it is a lower form of prayer. Since you called it a gift I assume you meant mystical contemplation. It’s something that we can be pre-disposed to through practice, but cannot attain through our own efforts or methods. The ability to be in constant state of contemplation (transforming union) is what I was referring to. Constant conversation with God is not possible while doing normal daily tasks, including conversations with others. Mystical prayer is. Our Lady was in constant transforming union with God (edit: while still on earth).

There are talks on levels of prayer on Sensustraditionis.org, in my signature.
Click to expand...
This is what I assumed what praying without ceasing meant. So what exactly is mystical contemplation?
 
On that married people can achieve it to, or the general subject? You won’t find a book saying they can’t! 🙂

As to the subject… Yes, read the Interior Castle? and also St. John of the Cross’ writings?

That said to make the journey one should read other works about how to be holy in everyday life. To make progress prayer and virtuous actions have to go together or both will not proceed.

The Desert Fathers give priceless example of the heights of holiness, and St. Francis de Sale’s Introduction to the Devout life focuses on the lay life. 🙂

Prayer should be from the heart. Short prayers throughout the day are very helpful, like, ‘Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, protect us.’ ‘Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, save souls.’

And the Jesus prayer…
 
dusza said:
Constant conversation is generally referred to as discursive prayer and it is a lower form of prayer. Since you called it a gift I assume you meant mystical contemplation. It’s something that we can be pre-disposed to through practice, but cannot attain through our own efforts or methods. The ability to be in constant state of contemplation (transforming union) is what I was referring to. Constant conversation with God is not possible while doing normal daily tasks, including conversations with others. Mystical prayer is. Our Lady was in constant transforming union with God (edit: while still on earth).

There are talks on levels of prayer on Sensustraditionis.org, in my signature.
Click to expand...
I have experienced it for an extended period of time, a constant presence of God throughout the day, even as I sleep. It was as if I could just speak to someone next to me and they would hear me, and answer using words that could be felt rather than heard.

I would speak to God while standing in front of executives from a major healthcare company giving a presentation, while standing at the ambo at Mass as a reader, and while reading technical training manuals. It was almost as if there were two things happening in parallel; one on the exterior and another hidden in the interior, both at the same time.

I don’t know what label to put on it but I have experienced it. I am nobody. It is possible. I wish I cold get it back and I grope for it nowadays.

-Tim-
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top