Tips For More Devout Prayer?

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Jonathan3

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Hi there,
So I’ve been noticing that I’m less focused on my prayers lately. I read from a prayer book and have pretty much memorized the prayers so it feels like I’m just reading rather than praying. Now I know that an answer to this would be to replace this with more mental prayer but I really like the prayers in the book and don’t want to stop praying them. Should I take a break from these prayers and try something else for a while?
Thanks
 
I find that music helps me with prayer. There are some wonderful Gregorian chant albums on Amazon music that you can listen to if you are a Prime member, or you can access them for free on Youtube as well…
 
I think a balance of prayer book prayers and mental prayer might be good. What helps me 100% is praying before the Blessed Sacrament, so if you can pray at Adoration or just in a church it might help.
 
I know this seems counterintuitive, but I’d suggest you keep doing what you’re doing and not worry too much about it or try too hard. Most of us with a solid prayer routine experience something like this from time to time; even great Saints spoke/wrote of their periods of “dryness”. The desire to please God is what’s important. It will work itself out in the time and manner the Spirit desires.

Of course, if changing something up does help you, by all means…
 
Jonathan3 said:
Hi there,
So I’ve been noticing that I’m less focused on my prayers lately. I read from a prayer book and have pretty much memorized the prayers so it feels like I’m just reading rather than praying. Now I know that an answer to this would be to replace this with more mental prayer but I really like the prayers in the book and don’t want to stop praying them. Should I take a break from these prayers and try something else for a while?
Thanks
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Distractions happen to all of us.

However, I, too like variety. It’s one reason the Liturgy of the Hours appeals very much to me.
 
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Perhaps you can vary your prayer style. Formal prayers mixed with conversations to God and Our Lady and mental prayer
 
At such times, I am reminded of this quote by St Teresa of Avila: ’ Prayer is the greatest of all gifts, the channel through which God grants us favors, the beginning of all virtue.’
 
Vocal prayer is but the first of 9 stages of prayer. It is good to pray vocal prayers, but it is also good to move “up.”

It’s like playing scales, one of the first things a student learns on his instrument (traditionally). But even maestros play scales.

You do not have to give up your current prayers but add to them.
 
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