Although few make the time for contemplative prayer, it is essential if we are to grow closer to God. It is strongly recommended by St. Teresa of Avila and other spiritual writers. For me, contemplative prayer is allowing God to intervene in our...
In its discussion of prayer, the Catechism of the Catholic Church distinguishes between meditation and contemplation. Meditation is described as a quest, in which “The mind seeks to understand the why and how of the Christian life, in order to...
Jesus teaches us of “The necessity (for them) to pray always without becoming weary.” Luke 18:1 Psychology 101 tells us that, in case of repeated failure, the desired outcome cannot be attained unless the stimulus is reinforced by some success. This...
There are circumstances in which, in our prayer of petition, we can be as confident and as daring as Abraham was (bordering on impudence) as he haggled with God on behalf of people dear to him. (cf. Genesis 18:20-32) But, in his Letter to the...
The conveniences and immediate gratifications of the twenty-first century have brought many benefits to our lives. With just a couple clicks we can have groceries assembled for us, we can send a message and receive a response in a matter of seconds...
It is another Monday morning. The weekend was great but not long enough. The hustle and bustle of the day has begun. You are rushing to get off to work to avoid the morning traffic. You have driven to work so many times that the sights pass by...
Prayer can be like an hourglass at its narrowest point. At this point everything flows to it and everything flows from it. All flow is silent. Silence is a great help to listening. Listening to God is a little more difficult than listening to a...
Continuing my series of articles on prayer, I’d like to address the question “But for whom should we pray?” The simple answer is for almost everyone. But there is a hierarchy of prayer. We must start by praying for ourselves and...
