Study, Prayer and Concentration

[William777]

Could use some help here.

I’m looking for some good… the best… prayer methods to help with study…

The difficulty is, when I study, that’s all I do. And, when I pray, that’s all I do. Furthermore, I’m studying to pass the CPA exams, and - as if the work weren’t mundane enough - one cannot serve both God and mammon. It becomes a problem trying to “mix” study and prayer.

And,yet, it has been done. Monks study, and I’ve seen God help me through lesser exams and learning.

But this is HUGE - and I have terrible difficulties staying focused and motivated. And - when learning - intentions aren’t always clear (because one might not understand a concept well enough to see the point or reason with it, or one my encounter so many different concepts - intentionality feels weak and diluted with respect to anything more than a shallow understanding).

Like Abraham, who set out for an unknown destination, I try to use prayer to learn by faith, and I ask God just to reveal stuff to me - which actually sometimes works - but I’m having trouble suffering my own foolishness at times.

Can someone recommend a way of praying which might help me to focus, learn and bear with it, especially when I am struggling with uncertainties?

 

[AlanFromWichita]

Can someone recommend a way of praying which might help me to focus, learn and bear with it, especially when I am struggling with uncertainties?

Yes. Contemplative prayer. At first you won’t be able to study and do the prayer simultaneously, but if you stick to it, it could help you focus better, and advance you in your spiritual journey which will improve your overall mental/emotional/spiritual situation to the point you will notice it and rejoice in it.

Reference CCC 2709-2724

This kind of prayer is silent. It can be done at adoration, but not necessarily. The idea is that you let go of your normal stream of thoughts floating through your mind, and let yourself be disinterested in them, resting from them, thus inviting God to send the Divine Therapist aka the Holy Spirit, to work on you at a deeper level than would be possible while your mind is busy thinking first this, then that. Even ten minutes a day is good, more is often better.

Alan

 

[Don_Jackson]

Lectio divina!

Lectio - read (and study)
Meditatio - meditate
Oratio - pray
Contemplatio - contemplate

I have read half a dozen books on techniques, some bad, most of no value, but I do have one that is an easy read and will have you running to pray the scripture and have a very personal relationship with God.

I don’t have the title/author handy, drop me a PM and I’ll pass it on to you.

 

[AlanFromWichita]

Lectio divina!

Lectio - read (and study)
Meditatio - meditate
Oratio - pray
Contemplatio - contemplate

I have read half a dozen books on techniques, some bad, most of no value, but I do have one that is an easy read and will have you running to pray the scripture and have a very personal relationship with God.

I don’t have the title/author handy, drop me a PM and I’ll pass it on to you.

Yes! This is an old monastic practice that incorporates “contemplatio” which is what I was talking about, and more!

Alan

 

[Wambui]

Hey good question you have there! I am also a student and I know what you are talking about.
How about before you generally sanctify your study, that is, do it all for the glory of God. You can start with a prayer before study, to ask the Holy Spirit to inspire you and help you. Then offer up all the study you do for an intention. For example if you are studying a hard concept, instead of giving up you can hang on and say: Jesus I offer up this suffering for all souls in purgatory.

For more on study and prayer I would advice you to get a copy of " The Way" written by St Josemaria

All the Best:thumbsup:

 

[Skygor]

Cultivate silence.

1. Turn off ***everything ***that uses electricity except your refridgerator, (things that are exclusively clocks), and light bulbs.
2. Do 30 Jumping Jacks. Yes like in grade school. Do them.
3. Do whatever you need to do.

Meditative Prayers
Meditation is focusing/thinking about one religious thing. The rosary and Jesus Prayer are the most common types. (By the way the Jesus Prayer is most commonly used with a Prayer Rope.) The constant repetition creates a Groove or Flow. In that Flow you have the opportunity to think about the various Mysteries/Secrets or the actual words of the prayers. It is an easy, light, thinking.

Physical Labor
Go out and do a chore. A real chore that will leave you tired at the day. Begin whenever and stop when you are complete. Do it because it needs to be done and take satisfaction that there is no one to rob you of it’s worth or quality.