Prayer Advice

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Skyhighblue34

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Hi all!
I need your advice on prayer. My prayer life is kind of weak, and I was wondering if any of you knew of books that helped your prayer life? My biggest problem is getting a regular routine down. I also have trouble knowing what to say or I fall into a routine of the things I say during prayer. I tried this book on contemplative prayer, but it was really hard, so I easily gave in.

I already go to Eucharistic Adoration daily (when possible) and pray the Rosary daily, but I feel like that’s not enough…
 
You could always start doing the Liturgy of the Hours. It’s the prayer of the Church. It’s also pretty cool knowing that people across the entire planet will be saying those same prayers each day. 🙂

divineoffice.org/
 
Talking to a priest will probably yield better advice than I am able to give, but here are my ideas anyway. :o

Much depends on your general temperament. What works for one does not necessarily work for everyone.

I get a lot out of spiritual reading. The foremost spiritual reading is, of course, Scripture. The Church has the ancient way of reading through Scripture called Lectio Divina. That’s a great way to do it.

There are all sorts of other spiritual classics out there as well. As you already experienced, you do have to be aware of where you are at. I recall picking up St. John of the Cross’ “Dark Night of the Soul” when I was fairly new to the faith. I couldn’t make heads or tails of what he was talking about. I wisely set it aside rather than trying to force my way through it.

I think “The Imitation of Christ” by Thomas a Kempis is a great one. Lots of short meditations that have loads of depth. There is much to reflect on.

I also really like Divine Intimacy by Fr. Gabriel of St. Mary Magdalen. From the looks of it, it may be out of print, but maybe you can petition TAN Publishing to bring it back. :o

Above any recommendations of books and/or devotional practices (and this is where a priest would come in handy), I would encourage you to spend time reflecting on why you feel that daily Eucharistic Adoration and a daily rosary are “not enough”. I think that is the discernment that will help the most rather than devotional trial-and-error. You may find yourself never feeling like it is “enough”.

Sometimes, Satan attacks the faithful by making us always question whether our efforts are “enough.” That’s not hard to do considering nothing we give God will ever be enough to earn our salvation. If he cannot stop you from praying, Satan will try to poison the experience. Whatever time we spend wringing our hands over not doing enough is going to make the devil happy. Such thoughts often keep us focused on ourselves and they sap the joy from what prayer time we do give to God.

But it could also be an interior thing. Maybe with these devotionals, you feel yourself going through the motions without really “connecting” to Jesus. That could also lead to feelings of not doing enough because the practices aren’t leading to a deepening of the relationship – which is their ultimate purpose.

A priest would be a helpful guide in figuring out which category you fall in (or perhaps some other category I am not thinking of at the moment).
 
Hi there!

The above poster gave some really wise advise. Do talk to a wise priest as well.

I think we have all ‘been there’ before. At one point or another, I think it’s common to struggle in prayer, and some if not most struggle each day. Just keep trying, keep living a sacramental life, keep close to Jesus and He will show you the way.

I read from “Surrender” by Father Larry Richards that a good start to prayer is 1. saying thanks (Thank you Jesus for this day, for creating me, for giving me grace, for helping me with so and so problems, for my job, for helping me get out of bed). 2. Petitions (Please God pray for my Uncle who is sick, for my brother to find a better job…for any virtue that you are striving for…even for an increase in fervor to pray more. In fact ‘God help me desire to live in communion with You more is a great prayer’). 3. Silence. We have to listen to God. Thanksgiving-petitions-silence. It’s a good start.

I find it best to just be honest with God. Tell Him everything. Even if your prayers are really boring. Or that you are distracted. These are all things to tell Him. Say, “God, I’m really bored right now. What does this mean? What do you want me to do? What is your will for me? How can I please you more? What should I do today?” If we want to walk in the way of Jesus we need to really ask Him questions. He will answer you in various ways, often through gentle touches of the soul.

Finally, a morning offering prayer is great. In it, you are offering up all your work, your joy, your suffering, all your acts of the day, to God. Thus, your life becomes a prayer.

May God give you more and more fervor each day and may He set you on fire with His Love and Mercy!!

Go courageously to do whatever
you are called to do.
If you have any fears, say to your soul:
”The Lord will provide for us.”
If your weakness troubles you,
cast yourselves on God, and trust in him.
The apostles were mostly unlearned fishermen,
but God gave them learning enough
for the work they had to do.
Trust in him, depend on his providence;
fear nothing.

St. Francis de Sales
 
Hi all!
I need your advice on prayer. My prayer life is kind of weak, and I was wondering if any of you knew of books that helped your prayer life? My biggest problem is getting a regular routine down. I also have trouble knowing what to say or I fall into a routine of the things I say during prayer. I tried this book on contemplative prayer, but it was really hard, so I easily gave in.

I already go to Eucharistic Adoration daily (when possible) and pray the Rosary daily, but I feel like that’s not enough…
Try fasting of some sort every day. That will enhance your prayer life…absolutely.

Also, be sure and start your day out making a morning offering to Jesus of everything you do and go thru that day. It is important to begin your day out that way before doing anything else.

And try practising the divine indwelling, thinking of him who abides in you.
dunedin.elim.org.nz/uploads/1/2/7/8/12786940/brother_lawrence_-_the_practice_of_the_presence_of_god.pdf

May God bless and keep you. May God’s face shine on you. May God be kind to you and give you peace.
 
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